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Craig Toungate in association
with the In the Shadow of Giants
The young man of this story is my great-grandfather Meredith Toungate. I am inviting you to come hear Meredith's remarkable story in song and narration exactly 174 years from the day this story begins, the day the Alamo fell. Meredith's fascinating history came to life for me in the summer of 2006 while reading the riveting oral history of the Texas Revolution by my great-grandfather's friend Robert Hancock Hunter, whose home Meredith was working at when the letter from Travis about the Alamo arrived. Hunter's exciting authentic, and vivid account of their experience had me on the edge of my seat. I was hooked. Since then I have been throwing myself into further research -- reading every eyewitness account of the period I could find, as well as many other historical books. The summer of 2008 I went on a pilgrimage retracing the steps of Sam Houston’s army from Gonzales to San Jacinto. I walked Meredith's army campgrounds, opening to the land, communing with the spirits who dwell there still. Story-telling runs in my family. When I was a child I loved sitting at my Dad's feet as he and his brothers weaved magic with tales from their colorful past. Knowing this trait to be a family tradition, I imagined how it would be to hear Meredith tell his epic adventure, and soon his stories emerged as a living tapestry of songs, musical themes, and narration. I have added authentic 1800's costuming to enhance the rich experience in the Spirit of Texas Theater. The result is In the Shadow of Giants where I as Meredith look back on the astonishing chain of events of the San Jacinto Campaign, remembering the courageous men and women who forged the beginning of the great state of Texas. I hope you will join me for this remarkable evening. Oh, and do me and Meredith a favor, will you? Call soon for your reservations and tell your friends. Thanks for all your support. I couldn't do it without
you. The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, Spirit
of Texas Theater, 7:00 PM. |
On March 6, 1836, a momentous
journey began for 18-year-old Meredith Toungate.
He was with a group of men working near Fort Bend,
Texas when a courier arrived with the immortal
letter from Colonel William B. Travis asking for
reinforcements at the Alamo. Meredith and his companions
heeded the call and joined Captain John Bird’s
company of volunteers leaving for the Alamo, not
knowing it had fallen that very day. Thus began
Meredith's compelling, gripping journey from joining
Sam Houston's army at the burning of Gonzales all
the way through to the battle of San Jacinto and
the capture of General Santa Anna, President of
Mexico, who Meredith personally guarded.Join our mailing list to be informed of all
our upcoming events. |