Capt. Jesse Billingsley

Capt. Jesse Billingsley. Born in Tennessee, friend of David Crockett, Jesse Billingsley came to Texas in 1834. Known as a fearless Indian fighter, Billingsley was elected captain of the Mina Volunteers, Company C, of the Republic of Texas Army. At the Battle of San Jacinto, he and his men proved their daring and audacious valor by being the first into Santa Anna's camp and suffering the most casualties: Historian J. Frank Dobie described Capt. Billingsley as "The Old Rock" of San Jacinto and credited him with being the first to yell "Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!" Despite being crippled in his left hand from a gunshot wound during the fight at San Jacinto, he continued to participate in almost every major skirmish on the Texas frontier. To be known as one of "Billingsley's Men' was considered a mark of distinction. He served in the Republic of Texas Congress and as a senator in the 5th and 8th Legislatures of the State, sleeping on the Capitol floor in a buckskin suit. His vote against secession and his fair treatment of African-Americans caused him to lose re-election but never dampened his spirit. Capt. Billingsley died on his farm at McDade in 1880 and was buried in the front yard at his request next to his favorite horse. His body was later reinterred in the Texas State Cemetery, one of the highest honors in the state.