History

About the Peter Sides Chapter

The Peter Sides Chapter #68 was chartered on October 10, 2021. (Previously, it was the Waco Chapter #32, chartered in 2017.) Peter Sides served as an ensign in the Revolutionary War, and later in life, he joined the Gutierrez-Magee expedition to free Texas from Spain and was killed in the Battle of Medina in 1813. An informative article on revolutionary ancestor Peter Sides was published in the October 2019 issue of the SAR Color Guardsman, Volume 8, Number 3. In addition, there is an article mentioning the involvement of the Peter Sides Chapter in the commemoration of the 209th Anniversary of the Battle of Medina, published in the October 2022 issue of the SAR Color Guardsman, Volume 11, Number 3.

As a relatively new chapter, we are interested in expanding our membership and involvement in community events:

• Recognition of outstanding young men and women, particularly those in the ROTC
• Honoring of those veterans buried at Rosemound Cemetery
• Remembrance of historical events such as the Battle of Medina and the annual reading of the U.S. Constitution on the Waco Courthouse steps (organized by the Henry Downs and Elizabeth Gordon Bradley Chapters of the DAR)
• Participation of our Color Guard in parades, memorials, and other events
• Expanding our knowledge of our country through Historical Flag Displays and presentations to community groups, such as Boy Scouts Troops who are working on the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge

Rosemound Cemetery

In May 2023, the Peter Sides Color Guard, compatriots, wives and friends honored the veterans at Rosemound Cemetery with gravesite flags and a salute. It was televised on Channel 10 (KWTX News 10 Waco on May 27) as part of local Memorial Weekend news events.

The Battle of Medina historical marker reads as follows:

Texas' bloodiest military engagement - the Battle of Medina - may have taken place in this general vicinity in 1813. The early 19th century was a time of political upheaval, and in 1812, while the U.S. was at war with England, Spain faced revolts throughout Latin America, including Mexico. In this revolutionary climate, Americans and others began efforts to influence the fate of Mexico, of which Texas was a province.

Bernardo Gutierrez and Lt. A.W. Magee marched from Louisiana to Texas in 1812 with their republican army of the North. Capturing Nacogdoches and Trinidad, they moved on to Presidio La Bahia, where they survived a four-month siege by Spanish governors and their royalist forces. The royalists retreated toward San Antonio in February 1813, and the March the republican army followed them and was ambushed in the Battle of Rosillo. The republicans persevered, captured San Antonio and executed the Spanish governors. Gutierrez's new Republic of Texas, with its green flag, was marked by internal political problems.

Spain sent troops under Gen. Joaquin de Arredondo to retake Texas. Among his men was Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, later Mexico's leader during the Texas Revolution. The republicans marched from San Antonio on Aug. 15, 1813 with about 1,400 troops: American volunteers, Tejanos, Mexicans and Native Americans. Led across the plains south of the Medina River, the fatigued army faced Spanish troops on Aug. 18 and was soundly defeated. Fewer than 100 escaped; most were executed. The Spanish left the decimated Texans on the battlefield and proceeded to San Antonio to punish citizens who supported independence. Eight years later, Mexican leaders ordered the remains of the fallen soldiers to be buried under an oak tree on the battlefield. Although the exact site of the battle has yet to be determined archeologically, the story remains an important part of Texas history.

Below is a photo of the Texas Color Guard, with whom we fired an honorary gun salute.

History Presentations

Members of our Chapter are available to give presentations on the Revolutionary War, flag history, the Constitution, etc. to community groups, such as Boy Scouts Troops who are working on the Citizenship in the Nation merit badge; service groups such as the Waco Lions Club; DAR and CAR Chapters.

Participation in Historical Events

Members of our Chapter are available to participate in history-based events, such as the annual reading of the U.S. Constitution (organized by the Henry Downs and Elizabeth Gordon Bradley Chapters of the DAR).

Flag Displays

Compatriot Thomas Kubow has an extensive flag collection of over 100 U.S. flags, with a focus on flags from the Revolutionary War period. Subsets of them are displayed by the Chapter on various holidays and on the 4th of July, when feasible, they are set up for the community to enjoy. Each flag includes a brief description.

Compatriots of the Chapter and their families and friends greet members of the community and share the stories of flags that have played a large role in our country's history.

U.S. flags representing those described by young scouts during the history portion were displayed as part of a Flag Day Retirement Ceremony at the Lakeshore Funeral Home, on Flag Day 2023. View the Waco Tribune video and photos of this event. (Notes: Photos are above the video.)

On Independence Day, the Peter Sides Chapter had a flag display (open to the public) in Tom's front yard. Many of the visitors were interested in the flags of the Revolutionary War. Others reflected on the service they themselves, or their family members gave to our country in the armed forces. Photos were taken; some ended up on folks' social media. One of visitor is the founder and owner of Project Healing Heroes, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans overcome PTSD. He took a video and posted it on YouTube and on his (Facebook page). View Dr. Tharp's video of this event.

Below is a photo of a Fourth of July display at Central Christian Church.

Here is a list of suggested fly-the-flag days.