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Joe, the Slave Who Became an Alamo Legend
If we do in fact “remember the Alamo,” it is largely thanks to one person who witnessed the final assault and survived: the commanding officer’s slave, a young man known simply as Joe. What Joe saw as the Alamo fell, recounted days later to the Texas Cabinet, has come down to us in records and newspaper reports. But who Joe was, where he came from, and what happened to him have all remained mysterious until now. In a remarkable feat of historical detective work, authors Ron J. Jackson, Jr., and Lee Spencer White have fully restored this pivotal yet elusive figure to his place in the American story.
The twenty-year-old Joe stood with his master, Lieutenant Colonel Travis, against the Mexican army in the early hours of March 6, 1836. After Travis fell, Joe watched the battle’s last moments from a hiding place. He was later taken first to Bexar and questioned by Santa Anna about the Texan army, and then to the revolutionary capitol, where he gave his testimony with evident candor.
With these few facts in hand, Jackson and White searched through plantation ledgers, journals, memoirs, slave narratives, ship logs, newspapers, letters, and court documents. Their decades-long effort has revealed the outline of Joe’s biography, alongside some startling facts: most notably, that Joe was the younger brother of the famous escaped slave and abolitionist narrator William Wells Brown, as well as the grandson of legendary trailblazer Daniel Boone. This book traces Joe’s story from his birth in Kentucky through his life in slavery—which, in a grotesque irony, resumed after he took part in the Texans’ battle for independence—to his eventual escape and disappearance into the shadows of history.
Joe, the Slave Who Became an Alamo Legend recovers a true American character from obscurity and expands our view of events central to the emergence of Texas.
The twenty-year-old Joe stood with his master, Lieutenant Colonel Travis, against the Mexican army in the early hours of March 6, 1836. After Travis fell, Joe watched the battle’s last moments from a hiding place. He was later taken first to Bexar and questioned by Santa Anna about the Texan army, and then to the revolutionary capitol, where he gave his testimony with evident candor.
With these few facts in hand, Jackson and White searched through plantation ledgers, journals, memoirs, slave narratives, ship logs, newspapers, letters, and court documents. Their decades-long effort has revealed the outline of Joe’s biography, alongside some startling facts: most notably, that Joe was the younger brother of the famous escaped slave and abolitionist narrator William Wells Brown, as well as the grandson of legendary trailblazer Daniel Boone. This book traces Joe’s story from his birth in Kentucky through his life in slavery—which, in a grotesque irony, resumed after he took part in the Texans’ battle for independence—to his eventual escape and disappearance into the shadows of history.
Joe, the Slave Who Became an Alamo Legend recovers a true American character from obscurity and expands our view of events central to the emergence of Texas.
350 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 2, 2019
I just happened to stumble across this book which came out in 2015 while experiencing one of those, "I wonder if there are any new books on this subject?" moments. It turned out to be one of the better moments I've experienced while searching for something on a subject I haven't read a new book about in a while.
There was one male survivor at the battle of the Alamo in San Antonio on March 6, 1836 (unless you count a couple of kids) and that was Lt. Col. William Travis' (Alamo commander) Black slave, a man known only as Joe. And it's through his oral reminiscences that we know a lot about what happened on that fateful day 183 years ago.
Tracking down the life of a slave in the US during the days when slavery was acceptable isn't easy since they often changed last names as they were sold from one owner to another, or escaped and found freedom in the North. The authors did an admirable job spanning a number of years in tracking down the early life of this man and it's only with the latter years of his life (post-Alamo) that they were unable to find out what happened to him, although they do offer up several possibilities based upon fact, but for all practical purposes, he fell off the face of the Earth. Here's hoping he had a life as a free man and lived to a ripe old age.
Obviously, much of the narrative centers around the 13 days that made up the siege and battle of the Alamo. Having read a number of books on the battle, this is one of the best it has been my pleasure to read. The authors have brought the battle to life and have introduced some new facts which have remained obscurely hidden in the sands of time. Although you know how the battle ends, their characterization of the battle, Joe, and others who were there, is realistic and brings it to life better than many others have.
Who was Joe? That question gets answered. What happened to Joe after the battle? That gets partially answered to the best of the author's ability since it is obvious they have spent a great deal of time researching the topic and Joe's life.
If you're someone who would be interested in learning about the person who passed on a great deal of what is known about the battle of the Alamo from the defender's viewpoint, this book is highly recommended. It truly is one of the better books written about the Alamo and the reader sees it from a new perspective.
There was one male survivor at the battle of the Alamo in San Antonio on March 6, 1836 (unless you count a couple of kids) and that was Lt. Col. William Travis' (Alamo commander) Black slave, a man known only as Joe. And it's through his oral reminiscences that we know a lot about what happened on that fateful day 183 years ago.
Tracking down the life of a slave in the US during the days when slavery was acceptable isn't easy since they often changed last names as they were sold from one owner to another, or escaped and found freedom in the North. The authors did an admirable job spanning a number of years in tracking down the early life of this man and it's only with the latter years of his life (post-Alamo) that they were unable to find out what happened to him, although they do offer up several possibilities based upon fact, but for all practical purposes, he fell off the face of the Earth. Here's hoping he had a life as a free man and lived to a ripe old age.
Obviously, much of the narrative centers around the 13 days that made up the siege and battle of the Alamo. Having read a number of books on the battle, this is one of the best it has been my pleasure to read. The authors have brought the battle to life and have introduced some new facts which have remained obscurely hidden in the sands of time. Although you know how the battle ends, their characterization of the battle, Joe, and others who were there, is realistic and brings it to life better than many others have.
Who was Joe? That question gets answered. What happened to Joe after the battle? That gets partially answered to the best of the author's ability since it is obvious they have spent a great deal of time researching the topic and Joe's life.
If you're someone who would be interested in learning about the person who passed on a great deal of what is known about the battle of the Alamo from the defender's viewpoint, this book is highly recommended. It truly is one of the better books written about the Alamo and the reader sees it from a new perspective.
November 9, 2021
This book follows the life of a slave as best it can. Recollections and facts are sketchy at best. That's the case for anyone who was bought and sold at random. What makes Joe different from other slaves was he witnessed one of the most storied and legendary losses in American history. Like all "eyewitnesses" at the fall of the Alamo, Joe was in hiding during the event, hoping he would not be mistaken for one of the fighters at the mission, although ironically, he may have been until his master was killed at the beginning of the final assault.
There is a lot of research in this book, as is the case for any historical book. One of the biggest complaints I have heard and read about "Joe" is the claim that he was a direct descendant of Daniel Boone. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. It wasn't uncommon for people to use slaves for pleasure. In my opinion, this statement of Joe's lineage can't be dismissed solely because of how incredible it sounds.
While the Alamo is the main subject of the story, the book looks at the slave's entire life; the masters who bought and sold him, the escape attempts, the long hours of work he had to endure. I bought this book because of my fascination with the Alamo but anyone can enjoy this book to see life from the eyes of a slave who spent each day toiling and wondering if he would change masters at any moment.
There is a lot of research in this book, as is the case for any historical book. One of the biggest complaints I have heard and read about "Joe" is the claim that he was a direct descendant of Daniel Boone. Maybe he was, maybe he wasn't. It wasn't uncommon for people to use slaves for pleasure. In my opinion, this statement of Joe's lineage can't be dismissed solely because of how incredible it sounds.
While the Alamo is the main subject of the story, the book looks at the slave's entire life; the masters who bought and sold him, the escape attempts, the long hours of work he had to endure. I bought this book because of my fascination with the Alamo but anyone can enjoy this book to see life from the eyes of a slave who spent each day toiling and wondering if he would change masters at any moment.
December 31, 2021
I appreciate the research that has gone into this book and overall have a better view of Joe then before reading it. However there are a couple of areas that i found to be problematic to me.
1. I have a hard time believing the Daniel Boone connection while the authors seem to buy into it on very little evidence other than the family story. While it could be true, it seems a bit far-fetched.
2. The authors stick with a very traditional telling of the Alamo story especially concerning Travis’ line in the sand and Crockett‘s and Bowie‘s death. There is much better documented evidence against the stories than the ever-changing story of Susanna Dickerson.
3. Although the authors do address the cruelty of slavery in some parts, much of the end of the book promotes the idea of the benevolent slave owner and Joe‘s loyalty to Travis even after Travis died.
As I said I appreciate the research that went into this but there was a lot speculation rather than actual fact.
1. I have a hard time believing the Daniel Boone connection while the authors seem to buy into it on very little evidence other than the family story. While it could be true, it seems a bit far-fetched.
2. The authors stick with a very traditional telling of the Alamo story especially concerning Travis’ line in the sand and Crockett‘s and Bowie‘s death. There is much better documented evidence against the stories than the ever-changing story of Susanna Dickerson.
3. Although the authors do address the cruelty of slavery in some parts, much of the end of the book promotes the idea of the benevolent slave owner and Joe‘s loyalty to Travis even after Travis died.
As I said I appreciate the research that went into this but there was a lot speculation rather than actual fact.
September 24, 2021
The book was very well written, with well researched information. The only thing holding me back from giving it five stars is the deduction the authors made that William Wells Brown was Joe’s brother-this giving them information about Joe’s childhood. I’ll admit their argument was compelling but I didn’t find it conclusive. However, the writing was very well done. I enjoyed the book tremendously.
September 2, 2017
This entire book is speculation, which I found disappointing. It would be a better historical fiction novel than an attempted biography. (It would also make a pretty decent film)
May 19, 2023
I wanted to make it through this so badly but got mired in the same rehashing of slave life where the authors could have been giving new information.
August 19, 2024
Such an immense undertaking in researching this book, but it was so worth it. My attention was grabbed with the first sentence. So well written
September 11, 2016
Great story that needed to be told. We, as African Americans have been involved in most of the historic events that have taken place in the United States of America since its inception, and long before. Thanks Ron Jackson.
May 10, 2016
A must read...finally someone giving recognition to Joe. Not like a boring history book..very interesting..loved it..Highly recommend!
August 23, 2015
This is a fascinating and well researched book. I couldn't stop talking about it which is rare for me. It was a hard book to put down.
September 25, 2015
Really wanted to like this book, but I couldn't get past the fact so much of it was based on speculation.
September 9, 2015
well its not my genre but I picked up and couldnt put it down. This book read like a fiction book, and at the same time it was thoroughly researched. Huge break through in texas history.
November 8, 2015
Fascinating. .. as long as I lived in Texas, I had never learned the full details of the Alamo battle. Very well researched.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews