From defenders at the great siege of Londonderry to defenders at the siege of the Alamo.
It is said we live through history, but some locations and its peoples have actually made history at pivotal times far more that could be expected in an historical context.
The town of Castlederg in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland that was established around the plantation castle built by Sir John Davies, Attorney General for Ireland in 1610 is one of those special places. Although only a small town its influence on world history has been remarkable. People that have been born or have family links to the town have achieved greatness in historic events on so many occasions.
Just one example of this can be illustrated by the best shot with a musket at two very important sieges although being almost 150 years apart they have a connection by the defenders to the town of Castlederg.
Recently we have been remembering the 190th anniversary of the siege of the Alamo that took place at a former Spanish mission in San Antonio, Texas. The thirteen days that the Alamo held out against the much larger forces of General Antonio López de Santa Anna from the 23rd February, 1836 to the 6th March, 1836 was so important in the Texas Revolution and the gaining of independence for the Lone Star State of Texas. The battle of the Alamo ended the siege on the 6th March, 1836 and saw all of the defenders killed or executed afterwards as Santa Anna ordered no quarter given. Over 80% of the defenders were of Ulster-Scots heritage. Of these around a dozen were actually born on the island of Ireland. It is believed because of their Ulster heritage some of the defenders at the Alamo were members of the loyal orders as Orangemen and/or Apprentice Boys of Derry. Some of them would also have served in the British army before leaving for the new word in search of a better life and the chance of fame and fortune. I have often wondered as it was highly likely did the walls of the Alamo echo to the rallying calls of No Surrender! And Remember Derry, Aughrim, Enniskillen and the Boyne?
These strong Ulster-Scots links extended to politician and General, Sam Houston (1793-1863) from Rockbridge County, Virginia who as commander of the Texas army played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution, going on to be the first President of Texas.
The defenders at the Alamo included Lieutenant Robert McKinney (1809 -1836) who was born during 1809 in the Derg valley close to Castlederg in County Tyrone. Within one year of leaving Ulster for America he would have given his life as part of that blood sacrifice at the Alamo.
The best known defender at the Alamo was Tennessee frontiersman and politician David Crockett (1786-1836) known as the “King of the wild frontier” with family links to Castlederg. David Crockett was stated to be the best shot during the siege of the Alamo with his long barrelled musket and that skill as a marksman was used to devastating effect on the army of Santa Anna.
Almost 150 years earlier, during the great siege of Londonderry, 1688 – 1689 a Castlederg man of the Houston family would emerge as the best shot during that world changing siege. A siege that also featured the number thirteen. That thirteen was of course the thirteen Apprentice Boys of Derry that shut the gates against the forces of King James and helped bring civil rights, liberty and freedom to Europe and the world. A pivotal event of the Williamite War that gave us a constitutional monarchy in the Glorious Revolution. A siege that ultimately made events possible like the American Declaration of Independence, the creation of the USA with Texas becoming the 28th State in particular.
The siege hero of Londonderry I am referring to was Lieutenant-Colonel James Houston who was born at Garvetagh, Castlederg around 1660. He was the son of Christopher Houston from Galloway in Scotland and Mary “Nee” Spreull (Sproule) from Castlederg. James Houston like David Crockett was a famed marksman with his long barrelled fowling musket that was put to deadly affect during the actual siege that commenced on the 7th December, 1688 (old calendar) with the shutting of the gates.
Like so many during the siege of Londonderry which sadly cost the lives of over 10,000 men, women and children mostly by disease and starvation. Almost everyone within the walls were affected by illness. Houston would also become gravely ill and took to his bed as he was unable to stand, but luckily with rest he started to recover.
A French Jacobite officer who was part of the besieging Jacobite army at Londonderry had come to the notice of the defenders because of his ritual to inspect troops at Prehen across the Foyle at the same time each day. The officer incorrectly believed he was safe from musket fire from within the city at that substantial distance. James Houston would show this arrogance to be a fatal mistake. While still very ill and unable to walk, James Houston was carried on his sick-bed to the battlements in readiness for when the French officer would appear on horseback. While keeping careful aim until his gun went off, and around four seconds later the French Officer fell from the saddle of his horse after being struck and killed by the single musket ball fired by Houston. The distance being at least a mile, an amazing shot for the time and showed the unique talent as a marksman Houston had.
Lieutenant-Colonel James Houston would make a full recovery and he would also take part in other battles including at the Boyne, Aughrim, and Limerick were his marksmanship was once again put to good use. After the Williamite Wars he lived at Tinklersford, in the Parish of Raymoghy, near Newtowncunningham, County Donegal and died in 1702.
Stevan Patterson, Castlederg, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom.