Red Rovers

The Red Rovers, commonly referred to as the Alabama Red Rovers, was a military volunteer company organized in Courtland, Alabama to support the Texas Revolution.

Background
Raised by doctor and planter Jack Shackelford in November 1835, the unit took its name from the red jeans of their uniforms and was outfitted with equipment from Alabama state arsenal. Consisting of some 70 men, nearly half the men in Courtland, the unit remained encamped until December 12 before setting out for Texas by way of New Orleans. After arriving at Lavaca Bay on January 19, 1836, and being accepted into Texas service on February 3, the Red Rovers were put under command of Colonel James W. Fannin. They fought in the Battle of Coleto on March 19–20, performing well, but the Texians were overrun and ultimately forced to surrender.

Goliad Massacre
The Red Rovers are primarily commemorated for their tragic role as victims of the Goliad Massacre. In this devastating event, a substantial majority of the band, as well as approximately 400 men of the Texan army, met their demise following an order issued by Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna which ordered General José de Urrea to execute any Texan he came across. As a result, the majority of the Red Rovers, including two of Shackelford's sons, were killed in the Goliad massacre on March 27, 1836, along with hundreds of others. Shackelford himself was spared execution since his skills as a doctor could be used to treat Mexican soldiers. He would ultimately be released and return to Alabama, where he was thought dead. Four of the men, Zachariah S. Brooks, Dillard Cooper, Isaac D. Hamilton, and Wilson Simpson, escaped the slaughter. The four men traveled together at night to avoid capture and eventually found their way to other Texas forces and safety.

Legacy
The Red Rovers endure a lasting legacy celebrated through a range of events, festivals, and historical reenactments. Among these, Captain Shackelford's Company of the Alabama Red Rovers stands out as a Texas-based assembly of Living Historians and Re-enactors dedicated to portraying the era of the Texas Revolution. The group not only engages in immersive living history experiences but also pays tribute to the military band's significance. The Red Rovers are also remembered thorough an Historical Marker, established in Courtland, Alabama by the Alabama Historical Association. This marker, erected in 1964, serves as a testament to the unit's contributions, featuring the names of the men who valiantly fought with the militia during that pivotal period. The Alabama Red Rovers and the Goliad Campaign are noteworthy not only for their historical significance but also for the exemplary demonstration of leadership skills by the commanders, notably Dr. Jack Shackelford. The enduring qualities of 'duty' and 'loyalty' frequently characterize the service of these men, with these themes resonating throughout the battle. The United States military and its officers, in particular, have drawn inspiration from the lessons exemplified in the Goliad Campaign, often referencing the steadfast commitment to duty and loyalty displayed by its commanders and soldiers.

Known Members
Capt. Jack Shackelford

1st Lt. Francis S. Early

2nd Lt. William C. Francis

1st Sgt. Fortunatus Sydney Shackelford

2nd Sgt. Issac D. Hamilton

3rd Sgt. Arthur G. Foley

4th Sgt. Zachariah H. Short

1st Cpl. Henry Hogue Bentley

2nd Cpl. David Moore

3rd Cpl. John H. Barkley

4th Cpl. Andrew Winter

Pvt. Patrick H. Anderson

Dr. Joseph Henry Barnard

Pvt. John N. Barnhill

Pvt. Joseph H. Blackwell

Pvt. William Procter Bowhay

Pvt. G. W. Brooks

Pvt. Zachariah S. Brooks

Pvt. Thomas Burbridge

Pvt. Benjamin Franklin Burt

Pvt. J. W. Cain

Pvt. Thomas Cantwell

Pvt. Seth Clark

Pvt. John G. Coe

Pvt. Stith Conner

Pvt. Dillard Cooper

Pvt. Harvey Cox

Pvt. Robert T. Davidson

Pvt. George A. Davis

Pvt. G. L. Davis

Pvt. H. B. Day

Pvt. Silas DeWitt

Pvt. Abijah Hogan Dickson

Pvt. Alfred Dorsey

Pvt. Henry L. Douglass

Pvt. William G. Douglass

Pvt. James W. Duncan

Pvt. James E. Ellis

Pvt. Samuel Farney

Pvt. Joseph Fenner

Pvt. Robert Fenner

Pvt. Joseph G. Ferguson

Pvt. Elijah B. Franklin

Pvt. David Gamble

Pvt. M. C. Garner

Pvt. James H. Grimes

Pvt. William Gunter

Pvt. William Hemphill

Musc. John Hiser

Pvt. Milton Irish

Pvt. John Jackson

Pvt. John N. Jackson

Pvt. Henry W. Jones

Pvt. John Kelley

Pvt. E. Laddington

Pvt. Charles W. McKinley

Pvt. Isaac H. Miller

Pvt. David A. Murdock

Pvt. William Quinn

Pvt. W. F. Savage

Pvt. J. M. Seaton

Pvt. William J. Shackelford

Pvt. Wilson Simpson

Pvt. Bennett Strunk

Pvt. Simpson Tennant

Pvt. James Vaughan

Pvt. William E. Vaughan

Pvt. James S. Wilder

Pvt. Robert W. Wilson