The Twin Sisters are a pair of cannons used by

Texas Military Forces The Texas Military Forces (TXMF) are the principal instrument through which the Texas Military Department (TMD) executes security policy for Texas, which has the second-largest population and border in the United States. The Texas Military Forc ...

during the

Texas Revolution The Texas Revolution (October 2, 1835 – April 21, 1836) was a rebellion of colonists from the United States and Tejanos (Hispanic Texans) against the Centralist Republic of Mexico, centralist government of Mexico in the Mexican state of ...

. They are among the most famous

artillery Artillery consists of ranged weapons that launch Ammunition, munitions far beyond the range and power of infantry firearms. Early artillery development focused on the ability to breach defensive walls and fortifications during sieges, and l ...

in Texas military history with the " Come and Take It" cannon starting the revolution at the

Battle of Gonzales The Battle of Gonzales was the first military engagement of the Texas Revolution. It was fought near Gonzales, Texas, Gonzales, Mexican Texas, Texas, on October 2, 1835, between rebellious Texian settlers and a detachment of Mexican army soldier ...

and the Twin Sisters winning it at the

Battle of San Jacinto The Battle of San Jacinto (), fought on April 21, 1836, in present-day La Porte and Deer Park, Texas, was the final and decisive battle of the Texas Revolution. Led by General Samuel Houston, the Texan Army engaged and defeated General A ...

. The Twin Sisters were also potentially used during the Mexican Invasions of 1842 and

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and the Confederate States of A ...

. Their disappearance and ensuing search efforts have fueled their notoriety, colloquially referred to as the "Texas

Holy Grail The Holy Grail (, , , ) is a treasure that serves as an important motif in Arthurian literature. Various traditions describe the Holy Grail as a cup, dish, or stone with miraculous healing powers, sometimes providing eternal youth or sustenanc ...

History

Provenance

Nearly every aspect of the Twin Sisters is debated among historians, archaeologists, and treasure hunters including their design, type (iron or bronze), caliber (four or six pounder), foundry of fabrication (Hawkins and Tatum or Eagle Iron Works/Greenwood), origin of the "Twin Sisters" moniker, where they were used, and where they disappeared. The earliest and most credible primary source of their name, origin, and role comes from a letter by

President of the Republic of Texas The president of the Republic of Texas () was the head of state and head of government while Texas was an Republic of Texas, independent republic between 1836 and 1845. The president served as the commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces. ...

Name

The origin of the "Twin Sisters" moniker is debated. The first documented use of the name comes from a letter by

, David G. Burnet 92 days after the Battle of San Jacinto. It was written on July 22, 1836 and published in the Telegraph and Texas Register (Columbia, TX Vol. 1, No. 27, Ed. 1) on Tuesday, August 30, 1836: An exposition of the most repeated provenance comes from Elizabeth Mars (née Rice) Stapp in a letter to the editor of The Houston Daily Post on August 24, 1897 — 61 years after the Battle of San Jacinto. It was published in the post (Vol. THIRTEENTH YEAR, No. 147, Ed. 1) on Sunday, August 29, 1897:

Cincinnati connection

Why Cincinnatians aided Texas is debated. Among the theories include: * Robert Todd Lytle led a fund raising initiative for the cannons because he believed ''"that as American citizens, we can do no less than encourage the Spirit of Freedom, wherever or by whatever people it might be displayed"''. * David T. Disney, whose brother Richard Disney was executed in the Goliad Massacre, purportedly worked with Robert Todd Lylte on fund raising. * Andrew M. Clopper, who served in the

Texian Army The Texian Army, also known as the Revolutionary Army and Army of the People, was the land warfare branch of the Texian armed forces during the Texas Revolution. It spontaneously formed from the Texian Militia in October 1835 following the Bat ...

, is the son of Nicholas Clopper, a land speculator in Cincinnati who owned Morgan's Point, purportedly worked with Robert Todd Lylte on fund raising. *Thomas F. Corry, an emigrant from Cincinnati who served in the

Texian Texians were Anglo-American immigrants to Mexican Texas and, later, citizens of the Republic of Texas. Today, the term is used to identify early Anglo settlers of Texas, especially those who supported the Texas Revolution. Mexican settlers of tha ...

Army, may have been related to the "William Corry" of whom President Burnet addressed in his letter of thanks on July 22, 1836. *

Society of the Cincinnati The Society of the Cincinnati is a lineage society, fraternal, hereditary society founded in 1783 to commemorate the American Revolutionary War that saw the creation of the United States. Membership is largely restricted to descendants of milita ...

, a fraternity of

American Revolutionary War The American Revolutionary War (April 19, 1775 – September 3, 1783), also known as the Revolutionary War or American War of Independence, was the armed conflict that comprised the final eight years of the broader American Revolution, in which Am ...

officers dedicated to promoting freedom. Approximately 59 veterans of the American Revolutionary War are buried in Texas and at least 4 are known to have also fought in the Texas Revolution: Benjamin W. Anderson,

Alexander Hodge Alexander Hodge is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying Andrew on the HBO series '' Insecure''. Hodge has acted on '' Black Lightning'', '' Resort to Love'', and '' Joy Ride''. Early life and education Hodge was born and raised i ...

Antonio Gil Y'Barbo Dón Antonio Gil Ybarbo (1729–1809), also known as ''Gil Ybarbo'' or ''Gil Ibarbo'' was a Spanish military personnel and trader of the Spanish Texas times, who played a crucial role in the development of Nacogdoches, Texas in 1779. Biography ...

. The fourth, Stephen Williams, also fought in the War of 1812. On April 7, 1895, Andrew Jackson Houston gifted Santa Anna's dagger, a

war trophy __NOTOC__ A war trophy is an item taken during warfare by an invading force. Common war trophies include flags, weapons, vehicles, and art. History In ancient Greece and ancient Rome, military victories were commemorated with a display of capt ...

from the

, to Cincinnatians.

Texas Revolution

The Twin Sisters played a vital role as the only Texian artillery in the

, which effectively ended the

and established the

Republic of Texas The Republic of Texas (), or simply Texas, was a country in North America that existed for close to 10 years, from March 2, 1836, to February 19, 1846. Texas shared borders with Centralist Republic of Mexico, the Republic of the Rio Grande, an ...

. They arrived at Brazoria on March 28, 1836 and were received by Captain John M. Allen as the

, under command of General Sam Houston, was maneuvering against the

Mexican Army The Mexican Army () is the combined Army, land and Air Force, air branch and is the largest part of the Mexican Armed Forces; it is also known as the National Defense Army. The Army is under the authority of the Secretariat of National Defense o ...

, under command of General Santa Anna, near

San Felipe de Austin San Felipe ( ), also known as San Felipe de Austin, is a town in Austin County, Texas, United States. The town was the social, economic, and political center of the early Stephen F. Austin colony. The population was 691 at the 2020 census. Histo ...

, approximately 90 miles away. Fearful of interception, quartermaster general Colonel Almanzon Huston ordered the Twin Sisters to

Galveston Island Galveston Island ( ) is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast in the United States, about southeast of Houston, Texas, Houston. The entire island, with the exception of Jamaica Beach, Texas, Jamaica Beach, is within the city limits of the City ...

via the schooner ''Pennsylvania.'' They arrived on April 3 and were received by Colonel Edward Harcourt. Secretary of War David Thomas then ordered the steamboat ''Ohio'' under command of Captain Aaron Burns to retrieve them via the

Buffalo Bayou Buffalo Bayou is a slow-moving river which flows through Houston in Harris County, Texas. Formed 18,000 years ago, it has its source in the prairie surrounding Katy, Texas, Katy, Fort Bend County, Texas, Fort Bend County, and flows approximately ...

for relocation to

Harrisburg Harrisburg ( ; ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat, seat of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, Dauphin County. With a population of 50, ...

. The ''Ohio'' arrived at New Washington on April 6 where the schooner ''Flash,'' under the command of Captain Luke Falval and supervision of Secretary of the Navy Robert Potter, were waiting with the Twin Sisters. The Twin Sisters arrived in Harrisburg on April 8 and were loaded onto bullock carts by Major Leander Smith, Captain John M. Allen, and Captain Alfred Henderson Wyly for transport to the Bernardo Plantation (near Hempstead) where the Texian Army was now encamped. The 44,000 acre plantation was the first and largest cotton plantation in Texas. It was established by Old Three Hundred settler Jared E. Groce who freely provided refuge to the Texian cause. Stalled by the "sea of mud" from April showers, the detachment completed the 60 mile trip on April 13. They are received by Lieutenant Colonel James C. Neill, who assigns a company of nine soldiers to each cannon: On April 20, the Twin Sisters are engaged in combat for the first time during a skirmish near San Jacinto. Artillery commanders from both armies were severely wounded. Mexican commander of the "Golden Standard" Captain Fernando Urriza is relieved by Lieutenant Ygnacio Joaquin del Arenal. Texian commander Lieutenant Colonel James C. Neill is relieved by Inspector General Lieutenant Colonel George Washington Hockley. On April 21 at 4:30p CST, the Twin Sisters, positioned in the center of the formation, initiated the

with the first volley into Mexican forces. With major combat over in 18 minutes, a 1.5:1 strength ratio, and a 28:1 casualty ratio, it is considered by some historians among the most one-sided victories in history. The Twins Sisters final role in the revolution were providing security for the 300 prisoners of war during the Treaties of Velasco. Sources

Antebellum

As of 2019, only a few primary sources have been unrecovered mentioning the Twin Sisters following the

. Adding to the extensive confusion of the historical record is the introduction of replicas purchased by various Texas cities, conflation of other artillery by various Texas military units, and the annexation of the Texas Army and

Navy A navy, naval force, military maritime fleet, war navy, or maritime force is the military branch, branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval warfare, naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake-borne, riverine, littoral z ...

into the United States Armed Forces in 1845.

Mexican Invasions of 1842

The last documented mention of the Twin Sisters occurred during the ongoing military raids and expeditions that followed the Texas Revolution, including a report ordering them to defense in 1842, and a work order in 1843, indicating they may have been used: * 23 June 1842, ordered to

by Secretary of War & Marine George W. Hockley ''"to be in readiness for transportation to any point that may be designated in opening the mediated campaign."'' **Note: Hockley was the commanding officer of artillery during the Battle of San Jacinto *24 March 1843, ordered by the Ordnance Department to Frederick Schierman for various maintenance.

Houston Twins

*13 December 1841, used for

Sam Houston Samuel Houston (, ; March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an American general and statesman who played a prominent role in the Texas Revolution. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas and was one of the first two indi ...

's inauguration as

*1853, used for BBB&C Railway's dedication ceremony *1859, used for Sam Houston's inauguration as

Governor of Texas The governor of Texas is the head of state of the U.S. state of Texas. The governor is the head of the executive branch of the government of Texas and is the commander-in-chief of the Texas Military Forces. Established in the Constit ...

Presumed final sightings

* 8 February 1864 — dispatch by Confederate Lieutenant Walter W. Blow stating Twin Sisters were in transit to Colonel John S. Ford in San Antonio **Ford took six cannons to Brownsville (presumably including the Twin Sisters) and used them in the Battle of Palmito Ranch **Twin Sisters were left in

Fort Brown Fort Brown (originally Fort Texas) was a military post of the United States Army in Cameron County, Texas, during the latter half of the 19th century and the early part of the 20th century. Established in 1846, it was the first US Army military ...

after Ford learning outcome of

Battle of Appomattox Court House The Battle of Appomattox Court House, fought in Appomattox County, Virginia, on the morning of April 9, 1865, was one of the last, and ultimately one of the most consequential, battles of the American Civil War (1861–1865). It was the final e ...

* 30 July 1865 — journal entry by Union Corporal M. A. Sweetman saw them in a scrap pile in Houston

Disappearance theories

Notable search efforts

Legacy

* 7 April 1895, Andrew Jackson Houston gifted Santa Anna's dagger, a

from the

, to Cincinnatians *2 March 1897,

University of Texas The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin, UT, or Texas) is a public research university in Austin, Texas, United States. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System. With 53,082 students as of fall 2 ...

students "borrowed" a Twin from the capitol and fired it for

Texas Independence Day Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With this document, signed by 59 delegates, settlers in Mexican Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created th ...

, establishing a

Texas Exes The Ex-Students' Association of The University of Texas (more commonly known as Texas Exes) is the association of former students of the University of Texas at Austin. The organization is one of the largest alumni associations in the world (the ...

tradition. *1910, Featured on Sam Houston Grave Monument designed by Pompeo Coppini *1939, Twin Sisters Monument featured at

San Jacinto Monument The San Jacinto Monument is a column located on the Houston Ship Channel in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, about 16 miles due east of downtown Houston. The octagonal Art Deco spire is topped with a , 220-ton Lone Star – the symbo ...

*1985, Twin Sisters exhibit featured in the San Jacinto Museum. Fabricated by students at University of Houston College of Technology. * 1992, Twin Sisters exhibit featured in the Great Hall of Texas Military Forces Museum. Fabricated in 1975 by the "Guard of the Republic" to celebrate the bicentennial of the United States.

References

{{reflist, refs= {{Cite web, url=https://cemetery.tspb.texas.gov/news.asp?newsid=9262, title=San Jacinto and the Mystery of the Twin Sisters Cannons, last=Walker, first=Jason, website=Texas State Cemetery {{Cite web, url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Cannons-unveiled-at-San-Jacinto-monument-2056614.php, title=Cannons unveiled at San Jacinto monument, last=A. GARCIA, first=MIRIAM, date=August 19, 2001, website=Houston Chronicle {{Cite web, url=http://www.earlytexashistory.com/Twin%20Sisters/TS%20Web/TS%20one.html, title=The Search for the Twin Sisters, last=Pomeroy, Jr., first=C. David, date=2010, website=Early Texas History {{Cite web, url=http://www.texasescapes.com/MikeCoxTexasTales/233-Twin-Sisters.htm, title=Twin Sisters, last=Cox, first=Mike, date=April 5, 2005, website=Texas Escapes {{Cite book, last=Hardin, first=Stephen L., author-link=Stephen L. Hardin, year=1994, title=Texian Iliad – A Military History of the Texas Revolution, location=Austin, TX, publisher=University of Texas Press, isbn=0-292-73086-1, oclc=29704011, page=177 {{Cite web, url=http://www.texashistorypage.com/The_Twin_Sisters.html, title=The Twin Sisters, website=Texas History Page {{Cite book, title=The Sea Hunters II, last=Cussler, first=Clive, publisher=Berkley Books, year=2002, isbn=978-1-4406-7426-6, pages=167–197 {{Cite web, url=https://numa.net/expeditions/twin-sisters/, title=Expeditions, TWIN SISTERS, last=Cussler, first=Clive, website=National Underwater and Marine Agency {{Cite web, url=http://ourtexashistory.com/post_11.html, title=The Twin Sisters, website=Our Texas History Twin Sisters plaque, Twins Sisters exhibit, Great Hall, Texas Military Forces Museum, August 2019 {{Cite web, url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/qvt01, title=TWIN SISTERS, last=William Hunt, first=Jeffrey, website=Texas State Historical Association, date=2010-06-15 {{Cite web, url=http://historichouston1836.com/who-were-the-famous-twin-sisters-and-what-happened-to-them-after-the-battle-of-san-jacinto/, title=Who were the famous Twin Sisters and what happened to them after the Battle of San Jacinto?, website=Historic Houston, url-status=live, archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413155813/http://historichouston1836.com/who-were-the-famous-twin-sisters-and-what-happened-to-them-after-the-battle-of-san-jacinto/, archive-date=2017-04-13, date=2014-01-03 {{Cite web, url=https://archive.org/stream/jstor-30234738/30234738_djvu.txt, title=The "Twin Sisters" Cannon, 1836–1865, last=WINKLEK, first=E. W., website=Internet Archive, publisher=The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, date=July 1917 Texas Military Department Texas Military Forces Lost objects Archaeology of the United States Treasure of the United States