Poles - Did you know?

There were Poles in Texas before Panna Maria (supposedly the oldest Polish settlement in the US). There were Poles in the failed French colony of Champ D'Asile, near present day Liberty, Texas. Polish veterans of the failed revolt of 1831 joined the Texan army during the Texas Revolution. Several Poles fought under Fannin at Goliad in 1836. A survivor mentions the Texas artillery was commanded by '"all fine-looking Poles". There were Poles in Sam Houston's Army that defeated the Mexicans at San Jacinto, winning independence for Texas. Frederick Lemsky, was one of the musicians who played "Come to the Bower" as the Texas Army charged the Mexicans at San Jacinto. Felix Wardzinski was present at the capture of General Santa Anna, the Mexican dictator.