On an investigation adventure for Texas History, the COLLINGS FAMILY traveled to the Tip of Texas searching for the Marker of the Last Battle of the Civil War: “Battle of Palmito Ranch”, WHERE TEXAS CONFEDERATES WON! But the War ended a Month before and the armies had not received the news, which does not diminish the significance of this Battle in our History. In the wild regular winds of the “South Texas Breezes”, the Founder/Charter President of Rebel Joan Of Arc 2721 of the United Daughter Of The Confederacy: ELAINE COLLINGS, and her Husband: DOUG COLLINGS of the Sons of the Confederate Veterans: the Major General Patrick Cleburne’s 7th Texas Infantry Camp, and Officer in the Military Order of the Stars and Bars of the Houston Chapter, and their Son CLEVE COLLINGS: descendant of 16 “Proved” Confederate Family Ancestors (and many more waiting to be “proved”), went in search of the last Confederate Battle of the Civil War. They never expected this trip to turn into the wild adventure it did! Armed with “GPS” and several different opinions in the car of where they thought the general direction was, they struck out in search of this important history that ELAINE COLLINGS said she was never taught about in school. Although ELAINE COLLINGS is a College Graduate and grew up in the paradise of the Rio Grande Valley (as she describes it back then), she said she was never taught about this “Important Historical Battle” on her own Texas/United States Border! At one time there were even 5 different Countries ALL with Armies along the Rio Grande River, all at the same time! The Rio Grande River Border has always been an important “Boundary” in our Texas History! ELAINE said, she learned about these Only After she Graduated from the University and became a Member of All her Genealogy Groups, – as that’s when she REALLY GOT EDUCATED! ELAINE recommends everyone “eligible” for a Genealogy Group should all follow their Family History and investigate “their path” to know their family better. “Not Now – but Then”, and thus you really become “Educated”…and the Detective for your Family.
The COLLINGS Son: CLEVE COLLINGS (not pictured, but doing the photography) was also eager to learn about what History played out in his Valley Roots. CLEVE COLLINGS, born in McAllen Texas, is also a very proud member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas, and Sons of the American Revolution, and has taken his family on tour of Washington DC History and their family’s surrounding history there, for one of his Mom’s Birthday trips when proving their Sons & Daughters of the Pilgrims. This wonderful Spring Valley trip turned out much shorter, (and quite an exciting adventure!)
The 2 lane desolate road seemed to lead for miles and miles to no-where and with impatience growing to get back on travels to get back to Houston, but the COLLINGS NEVER GAVE UP! The South Texas Spring Country Side was brimming with Mesquite Trees in their lime green lace leaves, and the Cacti in large full Blooms along the bobbed wire fencing of the narrow road that felt more like a lane. Then FINALLY, THERE IT WAS = on the right hand side of the road and standing proudly in tall un-mowed grass, with green algae growing on this Texas Historical Marker placed (1963-1990). Our Texas and American Historical Landmarks must be “kept-up” for the respect they deserve and for our Public Education for our Nation!
As CLEVE maneuvered the car to get parked, ALL jumped out in excitement when the fierce winds of South Texas almost blew the hair off their heads, ELAINE said. Still they got the wonderful histories read and photos taken to mark their event! BUT, The Event was not over as they still had to find a place to turn around and find their way back to civilization for the long trip home. Then much to the shock and surprise on this “Nothing Road”: WALLA, The COLLINGS ended up driving straight up to the “Space X Station” complete with Rockets ready for take off, it looked like. Still no People around!
SO HOW QUESTION: HOW IS SPACE X & THE LAST BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR RELATED?
Answer: They are on the same desolate road near Boca Chica Beach!!!!
There were No vehicles in sight coming or going and the landscape turned into Sand and Beach Flats… This time taking photos thru the windshield, and feeling like they might be where they weren’t really allowed with the Gates and Guard now blocking the little road. CLEVE maneuvered the u-turn without going off in the side ditch, and now headed back on the same narrow road.
Feeling quite proud of themselves and having discovered not just one thing but two,
CLEVE said: “Now that we have found the Marker, wouldn’t you like to see the actual Battlefield”? All said Of Course, if it can be found? It must be on one of these little side dirt roads near the Marker. So off they went again to see what they might find.
After what seemed like miles and miles on this dusty road again lined in Barbed Wire Fencing, and no human in sight, they came to a “DEAD END”, and all gasped that it looked like they were suddenly in front of a “Drug-Lords Mansion”, again surrounding by this time VERY TALL Barbed Wired Fencing around this White Stucco Mansion, with Big Signs all around saying: NO TRESPASSING, TRESPASSERS WILL BE SHOT, LIVE ALLIGATORS ROAMING, etc,,, and Cameras pointing down at the road from everywhere! Again, The Collings suddenly felt like they were maybe where they shouldn’t be and happened down a “WRONG ROAD”!
ELAINE of course wanted to take a picture of “this” amazing new find, BUT DOUG AND CLEVE SAID LETS GET THE HECK OUT OF HERE! As they drove back down that road and dust flying behind them, ELAINE kept looking backwards in case anyone was following them, till they finally hit the Freeway….and all breathed a huge sigh of relief!!! What a memory!!!! What an Adventure the COLLINGS Family had!!!!
“SPACE X, AND THE LAST BATTLE OF THE CIVIL WAR”…
~Explore your History…~
Submitted by RJOA Chairman of Public Relations
Photography Cleve Collings
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