How History Unfolds on Paper: Important Americana from the Eric C. Caren Collection, Part X

Houston, Texas, January 22, 1839. Partially-printed payment order, No. 10396, for $2.66, for "payment of the Military. Services in the army". Issued by the Treasurer of the Republic of Texas Francis Lubbock to J.D. Clements, executor of the estate of Thomas R. Miller. Creasing from old folds; scattered stains and foxing.

Thomas Redd Miller (1804-1836) was a Virginia store owner who moved to the Republic of Texas in 1830. He was one of the "Immortal 32" rangers from the nearby town of Gonzales who responded to William Barrett Travis's request for aid as Antonio López de Santa Anna's army approached the Alamo in February 1836. Miller had served as a member of the Texas Consultation tasked with deciding a response to the aggressive actions of Santa Anna. Led by George C. Kimble, the Gonzales Rangers arrived at the Alamo ten days later, and at 3:00 a.m. on March 1 slipped past Santa Anna's forces and into the fortress. Four days later Santa Anna began his final assault on the Alamo, which resulted in 189 Texan defender casualties, including every member of the Gonzales Rangers. Miller's estate took nearly a decade to settle due to inconsistent record-keeping and his own considerable debts.

Often referred to as the "Lexington of Texas," Gonzales was the site of the first major skirmish of the Texas Revolution. It was the only city to send aid to the Alamo and immediately following the battle, General Sam Houston ordered it burned to the ground, fearing that it would be Santa Anna's next target.