The Old Eighteen: Heroes of Gonzales

Published: May 1, 1995

Updated: July 18, 2014

"Old Eighteen" was a term used to describe the Gonzales men who, late in September 1835, delayed Mexican attempts to reclaim the town's cannon until militiamen from surrounding settlements could be summoned. Their efforts in large measure provoked the subsequent battle of Gonzales. Members of the Old Eighteen were William W. Arrington, Valentine Bennet, Joseph D. Clements, Jacob C. Darst, George W. Davis, Almeron Dickinson, Benjamin Fuqua, Thomas Jackson, Albert Martin, Charles Mason, Thomas R. Miller, Simeon Bateman, Almon Cottle, Graves Fulchear, James Hinds, John Sowell, Winslow Turner, and Ezekiel Williams.

Miles S. Bennet, "The Battle of Gonzales: The `Lexington' of the Texas Revolution," Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association 2 (April 1899).

Time Periods:

Texas Revolution

The following, adapted from the Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition, is the preferred citation for this entry.

Stephen L. Hardin, “Old Eighteen,” Handbook of Texas Online, accessed April 11, 2026, https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/old-eighteen.

TID: PFO01

Original Publication Date:: May 1, 1995
Most Recent Revision Date:: July 18, 2014

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The Old Eighteen: Heroes of Gonzales

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