The Immortal 32 was a relief force of thirty-two Texian Militia from the Gonzales Ranger Company who reinforced the Texians under siege at the Alamo. They are "immortalized" as the only unit to answer the To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World letter. Along with the other Alamo defenders, they were all killed and burned after the Battle of the Alamo.
Immortal 32 Centennial Monument by Raoul Josset, 1936. Gonzales Memorial Museum, Gonzales, Texas.
Gonzales Memorial Museum in Gonzales, Texas. The Immortal 32 Centennial Monument seen in front.
The Texian Militia was the militia forces of Texian colonists in the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas from 1823 to 1835 and the inaugurate force of the Texas Military. It was established by Stephen F. Austin on August 5, 1823 for defense of the Old Three Hundred colonists against the Karankawa, Comanche, and Cherokee tribes; among others. Its most notable unit, the Texas Rangers, remained in continuous service of Texas Military Forces until 1935.
"The Settlement of Austin's Colony" by Henry Arthur McArdle, 1879. Commanding Officer Stephen F. Austin portrayed establishing the Texian Militia in 1824 for defense against the Karankawa tribe.