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Texian Exodus: The Runaway Scrape and Its Enduring Legacy
A narrative account of the evacuation of the Texians in 1836, which was redeemed by the defeat of the Mexican army and the creation of the Republic of Texas.
Two events in Texas history shine so brightly that they can be almost the stand at the Alamo and the redemption at San Jacinto, where General Sam Houston’s volunteers won the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. But these milestones came amid a less obviously heroic episode now studiously forgotten—the refugee crisis known as the Runaway Scrape.
Propulsive, lyrical, and richly illustrated, Texian Exodus transports us to the frigid, sodden spring of 1836, when thousands of Texians—Anglo-American settlers—fled eastward for the United States in fear of Antonio López de Santa Anna’s advancing Mexican army. Leading Texas historian Stephen L. Hardin draws on the accounts of the runaways themselves to relate a tale of high stakes and great sorrow. While Houston tried to build a force that could defeat Santa Anna, the evacuees suffered incalculable pain and suffering. Yet dignity and community were not among the losses. If many of the stories are indeed tragic, the experience as a whole was no tragedy; survivors regarded the Runaway Scrape as their finest hour, an ordeal met with cooperation and courage. For Hardin, such qualities still define the Texas character. That it was forged in retreat as well in battle makes the Runaway Scrape essential Texas history.
Two events in Texas history shine so brightly that they can be almost the stand at the Alamo and the redemption at San Jacinto, where General Sam Houston’s volunteers won the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. But these milestones came amid a less obviously heroic episode now studiously forgotten—the refugee crisis known as the Runaway Scrape.
Propulsive, lyrical, and richly illustrated, Texian Exodus transports us to the frigid, sodden spring of 1836, when thousands of Texians—Anglo-American settlers—fled eastward for the United States in fear of Antonio López de Santa Anna’s advancing Mexican army. Leading Texas historian Stephen L. Hardin draws on the accounts of the runaways themselves to relate a tale of high stakes and great sorrow. While Houston tried to build a force that could defeat Santa Anna, the evacuees suffered incalculable pain and suffering. Yet dignity and community were not among the losses. If many of the stories are indeed tragic, the experience as a whole was no tragedy; survivors regarded the Runaway Scrape as their finest hour, an ordeal met with cooperation and courage. For Hardin, such qualities still define the Texas character. That it was forged in retreat as well in battle makes the Runaway Scrape essential Texas history.
- GenresHistoryAmerican History
488 pages, Hardcover
Published January 14, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 17, 2025
OK - I admit it, I'm a sucker for reading about the Texas Revolution and all that implies.....the Alamo, Goliad, San Jacinto and Sam Houston's leading the people of what was soon to be the fledgling nation as they escaped from the Mexican army of Santa Ana.
Here's the problem: A lot of the material in this book is a re-hash of what has been said in other books. Granted, it's necessary to set the stage, but if you've read other books, it does get kind of tedious in spots, although I will have to admit there are some items which fall into the "I didn't know that" category which makes a book stand out.
Finally, after laying the groundwork, the book gets into the hardships faced by the colonists on the run and in some spots you find yourself amazed that anyone survived. A lot didn't and were buried along the way. Add to the problems they faced, the weather - it seemed to rain a lot, something we haven't seen around here in 2025 for a good long while - and if you can imagine yourself slogging through mud over your ankles, you can only imagine what these poor people went through.
Then, they get left behind and we go to Buffalo Bayou with Houston and his so-called army where the climatic battle of San Jacinto will take place. And you're kind of left wondering, what about those people who are trying to escape? Did they make it? Well, of course they did, otherwise there would have been no Texas Republic.
For those who haven't read much about what made Texas what it became, this is an ideal starting point - all the highlights are there. If you've read a lot about those formative years, there's a lot of repeated material you already know, but the parts about the escape will make it all worth your while. And, you might learn something new in the repeated material since the book has been heavily researched and isn't something that was just thrown together to make a few bucks.
Despite it's flaws with the repeated material, it gets my recommendation as a "must read."
Here's the problem: A lot of the material in this book is a re-hash of what has been said in other books. Granted, it's necessary to set the stage, but if you've read other books, it does get kind of tedious in spots, although I will have to admit there are some items which fall into the "I didn't know that" category which makes a book stand out.
Finally, after laying the groundwork, the book gets into the hardships faced by the colonists on the run and in some spots you find yourself amazed that anyone survived. A lot didn't and were buried along the way. Add to the problems they faced, the weather - it seemed to rain a lot, something we haven't seen around here in 2025 for a good long while - and if you can imagine yourself slogging through mud over your ankles, you can only imagine what these poor people went through.
Then, they get left behind and we go to Buffalo Bayou with Houston and his so-called army where the climatic battle of San Jacinto will take place. And you're kind of left wondering, what about those people who are trying to escape? Did they make it? Well, of course they did, otherwise there would have been no Texas Republic.
For those who haven't read much about what made Texas what it became, this is an ideal starting point - all the highlights are there. If you've read a lot about those formative years, there's a lot of repeated material you already know, but the parts about the escape will make it all worth your while. And, you might learn something new in the repeated material since the book has been heavily researched and isn't something that was just thrown together to make a few bucks.
Despite it's flaws with the repeated material, it gets my recommendation as a "must read."
May 23, 2025
Enjoyed the book and a good read. I am a complete book junkie when it comes to all things Texas and this book did not disappoint. Sam Houston certainly was not completely portrayed in a flattering light. What would have happened had Houston not turned down the road to Harrisburg but continued East to the Sabine when he came to that fork? If left on his own vices, that is probably what would have happened. Certainly have an even higher opinion of Rusk, Anson Jones, Lamar, Dr. Labadie and Stephan F Austin after reading the book. The epilogue put things in perspective for me-Texans are a friendly people even though the land and climate may not be. Texans stick together and are resilient. A greater appreciation of the runaway scrape of 1836 gives us Texans even more perspective to this truth!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews