Southside in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Defending the Faithful
Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022
1. Defending the Faithful Marker
The last link in the mission chain and far from quick reinforcements, Espada was especially vulnerable to attack by roving enemies such as the Apache or Comanche.Just one squad of eight privates led by a corporal and an officer were on duty here, At times, only two soldiers lived at Espada, along with their families. Sometimes even Spanish civilians from the nearby village of San Fernando were drafted to help.
Experience had proved that for a mission to survive stark frontier dangers, there must be a constant - even if small - military presence.
Captions
1. Mission Indians learned the intricacies of handling flintlock muskets from the Spanish soldiers who guarded these walls. But they were given guns only during dangerous times, when enemy raiding was intense.
2. Records show only sixteen flintlocks and two swivel guns - small, wall-mounted cannon loaded like giant shotguns - were kept in this bastion.
[Spanish Text]
this page online
Solamente un pelotón de ocho soldados conducidos por un cabo y un oficial estaban destacados aquí. A menudo solamente dos soldados vivían en Espada junto con sus familias. A veces aún los civiles españoles de la villa vecina de San Fernando éran reclutados para defenderla.
La experiencia había demostrado que, para que una misión sobreviviera los peligros rigorosos de la frontera, debería existir una constante - aunque fuera pequeña - presencia militar.
Subtítulos
1. Los indígenas de las misiones aprendieron las complejidades de manejar los fusiles de chispa de los soldados que vigilaban estas murallas. Pero solamente se les daban las armas de fuego a los indígenas durante tiempos de peligro, cuando los ataques del enemigo eran más intensos.
2. Los registros testifican que en este baluarte se guardaban dieciséis fusiles de chispa y dos falconetes - cañones pequeños montados en los muros. Se cargaban los falconetes como si fueran escopetas gigantes.
Erected by San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era
Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 2022
2. Defending the Faithful Marker
Location. 29° 19.113′ N, 98° 27.076′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Southside. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Espada Road and Camino Coahuilteca, on the left when traveling south. The marker is located on the northwest section of the Mission Espada grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10040 Espada Road, San Antonio TX 78214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mission San Francisco de la Espada (within shouting distance of this marker); Building Sanctuaries (within shouting distance of this marker); The Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Granary (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Community Life at Mission Espada (about 300 feet away); Mission Espada: The Restoration Period (about 400 feet away); Espada Mission (about 400 feet away); Mission Espada: 1731-1824 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.
Also see . . . Mission Espada. San Antonio Missions - World Heritage
Mission(Submitted on January 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)San Francisco de la Espada was the first Spanish Mission in Texas. It was founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Nacogdoches in East Texas. It was renamed as Mission San Francisco de la Espada when it moved to San Antonio in 1731. Distinctive Spanish design features can be seen in the church doorway, bell tower, and brick archways. Espada’s ranch, Rancho de las Cabras, is 23 miles south of the Mission and had as many as 1,262 head of cattle and 4,000 sheep. Mission Espada’s acequia is the nation’s oldest in continuous use. It still uses San Antonio River water to irrigate local crops today illustrating the connection the river makes between the past and the present.Photographed By James Hulse, December 27, 20223. The Mission Espada Chapel
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 77 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
