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The Last Soldiers of the Republic
You are looking at the last of their kind: men who risked all fighting for the Republic of Texas.
This 1906 photograph was taken at Fannin Park in Goliad in 1906. That was the last annual meeting of the Texas Veterans Association.
The cannon upon which they rest is known as Col. Fannin's Cannon. It was used at Coleto Creek by the men who were massacred under Santa Anna's order. The old cannon is still there today. You can go take your own picture with it.
Who are these six men?
William Physick Zuber (1820–1913) of Austin. He was in the rear guard at the Battle of San Jacinto. He later took part in the Sommervell Expedition. He also served in the Confederate cavalry, farmed and taught school in rural Grimes County. He was a charter member of the Texas State Historical Association.
John Washington Darlington (1821–1915) of Taylor. He fought in the Battle of Plum Creek, fought against Vasquez and Woll during the raids of 1842, helped build the first capitol building at Austin. He also ranched and served in a ranging company during the Civil War.
Asa Collinsworth Hill of Oakville (1826-1913) - He doesn't really belong with this group, as he didn't serve during the republic years, though his father and brothers did. Sam Houston took him to Washington as his personal secretary when he became senator in 1846. Hill commanded a spy company during the Mexican War. He was a Texas Ranger captain before the Civil War
Stephen Franklin Sparks of Rockport (1817-1908). He took part in the Siege of Bexar and fought at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Levi "Uncle Lee" Lawler of Florence (1826-1915). He served in a ranging company while still a teen.
Alphonso Steele of Mexia (1817-1911). He was the last surviving participant of the Battle of San Jacinto. While delegates met at Washington on the Brazos, Steele worked at the local hotel, grinding corn for their bread.
The Texas Veterans Association was an organization of those who performed military service in Texas prior to annexation. It held its first convention at Houston in 1873, with about seventy-five veterans present. The annual meetings always took place the week of April 21, San Jacinto Day.
The association dissolved the year after this photograph was taken, and its work was taken over by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas.
