The “Come and Take It” flag is one of the most iconic symbols in American history, known especially for its ties to Texas and its spirit of defiance. Its bold message and simple design a cannon and a lone star above the words represent more than just an act of rebellion. They symbolize a fierce stand for independence, resilience, and the pride that Texans have carried for almost 200 years.
The Origins: A Cannon, a Threat, and Defiance
The “Come and Take It” flag has its roots back to 1835, during the build-up to the Texas Revolution. The relationship between Mexican authorities and Texan settlers had grown increasingly tense. At the very center of this brewing conflict lay a small, bronze cannon originally given by the Mexican government to settlers in Gonzales, Texas, to help defend against Native American attacks.
The conflict between both sides gradually escalated, and soon, the Mexican president, Santa Anna, wanted to disarm the rebellious Texans and recover the cannon because he was thinking it was going to be used against his government.
On September 27, 1835, Colonel Domingo Ugartechea sent a detachment of Mexican soldiers under Lieutenant Francisco Castañeda to Gonzales to retrieve the cannon. The Texans were quite unwilling for this to happen. The settlers eventually came to support one another and prepared to defend themselves instead of turning over the cannon peacefully. The famous “Come and Take It” flag was hurriedly prepared; the bold, defiant message was clear: they did not want to give up the cannon without a fight.
The Battle of Gonzales: The First Skirmish
This triggered a fight that is often described as the first battle of the Texas Revolution. On October 2, 1835, under the “Come and Take It” flag, a contingent of Texan militiamen numbering no more than about 150 engaged in a skirmish against the 100 Mexican soldiers.
Their forces were minimal but their fighting spirit was not breached. The Texans opened fire with their artillery at daybreak, and hostilities started. It was all over in about fifteen minutes; the Mexican troops retreated with few casualties on either side. This was the first victory in what would become the Texas War of Independence.
A Symbol with Deep Roots
The phrase “Come and Take It” is not new, even for Texas. Its meaning traces back to ancient Greece during the Battle of Thermopylae in 480 BC. According to legend, the Spartan King Leonidas I replied with the phrase “Molon Labe,” Greek for “Come and take [them],” in response to the demand of the Persian army that they lay down their arms. This etymological anchoring in resistance and defiance against overwhelming odds, as referred to here historically, makes their stance during the Gonzales conflict all the more fitting.
This flag tracing downstream to this day, not only in Texas but throughout American culture, did not end at the Texas Revolution. The flag of defiance would later appear again during the American Revolution in 1778, on the year Colonel John McIntosh enunciated the same words when he refused the British demands of surrender at Fort Morris, Georgia. Since its origin, every time these words have been used in history, it has meant resistance and unyielding determination.
The Making of the Flag: A Simple yet Powerful Design
The “Come and Take It” flag was an entirely impulsive creative rebellion. The flag had been designed by Sara Seely DeWitt and her daughter, Evaline. Taking a wedding dress piece of cloth and painting on it the image of the cannon and now-famous slogan with fast work was all that was used for creating the flag. The simplicity of the flag a cannon, a star, and the bold words conveyed an unmistakable message of resistance.
Although the flag was hastily created, the power of its design resonated with people far beyond Texas. Today, it is not just a flag of that one battle but is a bridge to Texas pride and a sign of its independence, a culture resilient and defiant for generations.
Modern Interpretations and Political Symbolism
The “Come and Take It” flag has been interpreted and reinterpreted many times over the years in various manners, often used as a rallying point for disparate reasons. Today, it has come to be associated with gun-related Second Amendment rights movements in the United States. What was once a cannon a defensive weapon in Gonzales has come to symbolize, in its modern usage, the greater ideal of individual freedom and resistance to government overreach.
The flag’s imagery has also been co-opted by various other political movements, sparking debates about its modern use. Yet, whether used in one manner or the other, the flag has meant one thing above all: refusal of surrender, be it arms, weapons, or personal liberties.
The Legacy of the Battle of Gonzales
But more than a struggle over a cannon, the Battle of Gonzales was really the beginning of Texas’ fight for independence. Its victory on Gonzales galvanized support for their cause, with news of the battle spreading across the United States amidst the grassroots campaign amongst many young men to eventually join the fight for Texas independence.
Less than a year after the battle, Texas declared its independence from Mexico, and the Republic of Texas was born. The ‘Come and Take It’ flag was to become one of the most potent symbols leading to Texas’ fight for freedom and has remained influential in popular culture to this day within Texas and beyond.
The Bottom Line
The “Come and Take It” flag remains a potent symbol of defiance, not only in Texas but everywhere in the world. Whether standing against oppressive regimes or fighting for personal freedoms, its message rings clear: there are some things worth fighting for. Its origins in the historic Battle of Gonzales remain a great inspiration to Texans and Americans alike. The simplicity of it all is but a mask to the strength of the message it sends out, defiance, resilience, and the implacable spirit enough to be able to stand your ground.
