Here you go Derek:
As a Texan, I am frequently asked which rose is The Yellow Rose of Texas. In truth, this rose is not a "which;" it's a "who!"
In rose literature, the Old Garden Rose most frequently associated with this name is Harison’s Yellow. In the 1830’s, George Folliott Harison was a New York lawyer and amateur rose hybridizer. He (or possibly his lawyer father, Richard) crossed what is believed to be Rosa foetida persiana (‘Persian Yellow’) with R. spinosissima (= R. pimpinellifolia) (‘Scotch Briar Rose’). The resulting hybrid was named Rosa x. harisonii or ‘Harison’s Yellow.’ Although once-blooming, Harison’s Yellow was renowned at the time for its vigor, hardiness, and resistance to disease.
Harison’s Yellow was reportedly carried westward by settlers who planted it wherever they stopped. Even today, naturalized stands of this rose can be found as far west as New Mexico and California. But it is seldom seen naturalized in Texas. Despite its resilience to the difficult growing conditions in northern climates, Harison’s Yellow does not grow well in Texas where the growth season is long and summer temperatures are high.
There is still debate whether Harison’s Yellow refers to the rose of folklore. We do know, however, The Yellow Rose of Texas of song, re-popularized during the 1950’s by Mitch Miller, actually refers to a person, not a rose. Specifically, the lyrics refer to Emily West Morgan, somewhat forgotten in history for her heroism during the Texas war of independence from Mexico.
The legend of The Yellow Rose of Texas begins in 1830 with the immigration to Texas of James Morgan, an entrepreneur from Philadelphia. Morgan was eager to capitalize on cheap land and business opportunities in the fledgling Mexican colony. Since the Mexican government did not permit slavery, Morgan converted his slaves into 99-year indentured servants.
In 1835, amid an effort to flood Texas with non-Mexicans from the United States, Morgan returned to New York to recruit more workers for his growing settlement. One such émigré was a twenty year old woman named Emily D. West - "an eastern import with extraordinary intelligence and sophistication."
Emily West was mulatto and possibly from Bermuda, since Morgan brought many of his workers from this Atlantic island. According to some records, West volunteered to be indentured, most probably to escape the prejudice against her mixed race. As was the custom for an indentured worker at the time, she changed her last name to that of Morgan’s.
By the following year, the war for Texas’ independence from Mexico was fully engaged and led by General Sam Houston. James Morgan’s now successful settlement, New Washington, was strategically located near the mouth of the San Jacinto River. He freely gave food and supplies to Houston’s men. One particularly strategic parcel of land named Morgan’s Point (so called to this day) extended into San Jacinto Bay. From Morgan’s Point, flatboats were loaded for Houston army.
In March of 1836, James Morgan was appointed a Colonel and assigned to the Port of Galveston, about 30 miles away. So that Houston’s supply line would continue, he left Emily West Morgan in charge of loading flatboats destined for the army.
By the afternoon of April 18, 1836, General Santa Anna had moved his men into position near New Washington to attack the Texas rebels he knew to be nearby. Morgan’s settlement, now mostly deserted as its inhabitants fled before Santa Anna’s marching army, still had a few brave souls remaining, one of which was Emily. Santa Anna was immediately struck by her beauty.
The next morning, after his men helped themselves to Morgan’s crops and cattle, Santa Anna set about securing one more "spoil of war" - Emily. He captured her and a young "yellow boy" named Turner loading yet another flatboat headed for Houston’s army. Although Santa Anna cajoled Turner to lead his scouts to Houston’s men, Emily convinced him to escape and inform the "Texian" army of the Mexican general’s arrival.
Santa Anna was totally enamoured by Emily and ordered the immediate setting up of his encampment on the plains of the San Jacinto, despite protestations from his colonels. And Houston, upon hearing of Santa Anna’s location from Turner, moved his troops into the woods within a scant mile of the Mexican general’s headquarters.
On the morning of April 21, Houston reportedly climbed a tree to spy into the Mexican camp. There he saw Emily preparing a champagne breakfast for Santa Anna, and remarked, "I hope that slave girl makes him [Santa Anna] neglect his business and keeps him in bed all day."
By afternoon, the great final battle for the independence of Texas was engaged. The Mexican army was caught completely by surprise, and Santa Anna was literally caught with his pants down.
Emily West Morgan survived the battle and made her way back to New Washington. Two days later, James Morgan, who had not heard of the battle, returned from Galveston. Emily told him of her ordeal and the outcome of the last great battle. The colonel was so impressed with Emily’s heroism, he repealed her indenture and gave her a passport back to New York - the final chapter of which we have no record.
We do know, however, Morgan made certain everyone knew of Emily’s heroism. He told everyone he encountered or anyone who would listen, and recorded the story in his journals. It was from these that the lyrics of what would become the marching song of American Civil War soldiers and westward bound settlers would emerge.
To this day, the heroic acts of the young woman from New York are still reverently commemorated by the members of the Knights of the Yellow Rose of Texas each April 21 at San Jacinto.
I referenced this from
this site
