Interview with Alan C. Huffines

AS: Are there any characters within the history of the Texas Revolution that you can relate to?

ACH: Sure, but let me comment on the terminology. Even though the term Texas Revolution is used, and I’m just as guilty as anyone on this, it was not a revolution. The more accurate term is The Texian War of Independence. I realize that’s a mouthful, but that is what it was. Of course the same could be said about the American Revolution. Now to your question. Travis was always it for me. Perhaps it is because of Lawrence Harvey, but he has always been my favorite. When my wife and I were coming out of the premier for THE ALAMO, she said she could not believe a man who abandoned his wife and children could have ever been my hero. I really could not answer because he did do that, but I am still fond of him to this day.

My interview with Alan C. Huffines, author of Blood of Noble Men, took place in early January of 2006.

AS: How were you introduced to the Alamo? At what age?

ACH: Earlier than I can recall. It has always been there. I do remember in nursery school, I sang the ballad from KING OF THE WILD FRONTIER in front of my class, so that would make it about 1968 or so. THE ALAMO did not come on network television until 1971 or 1972, I believe, so that seems that Fess Parker came before John Wayne.

AS: In what ways has it influenced your life? Through art, writings, etc?

ACH: I think I made the military my career because of it. At any rate, it was definitely the subject that brought me to the history table, as it were. We had no VHS or anything so I had cassette recordings of THE ALAMO that I would listen to each (and I mean each) night. I got in trouble once at summer camp listening to it in my sleeping bag. It was also the first VHS tape I ever bought, even before we had a VCR, and it cost eighty dollars. I gladly saved up and got it. At that time in my life one version of Heaven was the ability to watch a continuous loop of THE ALAMO. It’s still important to me. Of course, as a Christian the Alamo’s story is full of Christian allegory and iconography, Catholics fighting Protestants in a church on a Sunday. We use the terms Alamo Trinity and so forth. More important to me growing up, but I respect the comparison.

AS: Why is it that you believe that sixty soldados died during the Alamo battle?

ACH: Simply stated, it’s because I believe Filisola and Almonte’s numbers. If the army’s Chief of Staff and Deputy Commanding General don’t know the actual numbers, no one does. Anyone is free to believe whatever they want, 500 to 1,500 (which was the gospel when I was growing up), but what is the credibility of the source, if there is one. “I think”, or, “Davey wouldn’t have done that!” doesn’t mean beans. You have to footnote the comment. I compare the numbers debate with folks watching LITTLE BIG MAN to get their opinions of Custer. As much as I love the popular culture surrounding the topic and have been blessed to have been able to participate, as much as I am emotionally invested in the legend, the way we remember something often has little to do with the way it happened. The Alamo was a battle; it is not a religion and does not require articles of faith. We can discuss Gettysburg without emotion, I wish we could discuss the Alamo the same way, but since the Alamo is tethered to creation myth, that will probably never happen.

AS: With the evidence and accounts available, how long do you believe the battle lasted?

ACH: Not long, discounting the first twelve days of siege of course. First soldado on the North Wall got there about 30 minutes after the battle commenced. From there maybe and hour or a little more to mop up.

AS: Are there any characters within the history of the Texas Revolution that you can relate to?

ACH: Sure, but let me comment on the terminology. Even though the term Texas Revolution is used, and I’m just as guilty as anyone on this, it was not a revolution. The more accurate term is The Texian War of Independence. I realize that’s a mouthful, but that is what it was. Of course the same could be said about the American Revolution. Now to your question. Travis was always it for me. Perhaps it is because of Lawrence Harvey, but he has always been my favorite. When my wife and I were coming out of the premier for THE ALAMO, she said she could not believe a man who abandoned his wife and children could have ever been my hero. I really could not answer because he did do that, but I am still fond of him to this day.

AS: With so many new theories having been studied and considered in the last decade or so, how do you think David Crockett met his end? And what is your stance on the De la Pena diary?

ACH: I think he was executed following the battle. Whether he surrendered or was captured or wounded I don’t know. But, and I will never understand this, I don’t understand why one is preferred over the other. To your second question, again let me discuss terminology briefly. It was not a diary but a memoir and when discussing him we should refer to him as “Pena.” Again, I am as guilty of these faux pas as anyone else. Sort of like the Alamo’s Chapel; the existing building as a church, and was never a chapel. Guilty here as well. As to the memoir’s credibility, if someone found out tomorrow that the document was originally written in the 1950’s, it would not change my mind on Crockett. There is too much other evidence. But I will add that I have seen the Pena field well plowed over the years. The Pena Memoir stirred the marinara the day it came out, as did “How Did Davy Die?” But going back the first Pena Problem (or PP) I remember is that folks said Pena was not even in the army. Well, we know that is wrong. Then the question was raised over his lack of other written sources (writers write, after all) and we know that is incorrect as well. And to tell you the truth I don’t know where the arguments are today and I really don’t care. If people would bother to read the whole thing, it is packed with so much detail about the war; I am hard pressed to understand the forgery claims.

AS: In your opinion, what purpose did the Battle of the Alamo serve?

ACH: It was supposed to serve (as was Goliad) as power projection from the colonies, so the Centralists could not surprise the interior. Both Texian forces were positioned in former Spanish fortifications (The Alamo had been militarized ca. 1803 and greatly improved by Cos in 1835) that were situated along the San Antonio River where it was intersected by the primary routes of ingress into Anglo-Texas. Other than a rallying cry and morale factor for the colonists as well as Houston’s forces, I really can’t say. Except to point out that we Texans love to recall getting out hind-ends kicked and good. We love the Alamo, Little Round Top, Rapido River, etc. It is also an excellent example of how NOT to defend a fortification.
AS: Are there any “Alamo” moments in your life that you consider the best or favorite? How about during production on the recent Alamo film?

ACH: First visit to Alamo Village is a great memory, even though the BANDOLERO set was in the plaza. In the recent movie, we filmed a large portion of the North Wall battle scenes on March 6th. It was below freezing and folks were whipped. At wrap, I asked John Lee for a moment of silence and we did so, everybody. Then I watched the crew depart and I went in and stood in front of the church for a few moments. The sun was just coming up and I was there, freezing, by myself. It was a nice moment. The whole film was, really. From the Super Secret Order of Opie meeting on. After that meeting I walked up to Ron Howard and thanked him for making one of my dreams come true: that someday someone would ask me how to make an Alamo movie.

AS: After watching the Alamo DVD and listening to the walk-through you and Alamo Historian Stephen Hardin did, and understanding you helped with the Mexican Army marching formations, what reference materials did you use to bring accuracy to the set and to the battlefield on film?

ACH: I had a couple of Mexican drill manuals but was relying on Scott’s Tactics, the US version of the period. The reenactors on set came up with a period Mexican manual and translated it. Charlie Lara was the battalion commander of all the soldados, and he did a superb job with things like this and really saved a few scenes. For example during the assault against the walls, I had choreographed this using animation and having the soldados at Right Shoulder Shift (since this is where the musket is carried in Scott’s when formations go to the Double Quick) with their muskets. Charlie caught this and told me the Mexicans did not have that position in their manual, which is why the soldados are at Support Arms during the assault in the movie. Nice catch by Charlie and he made several. Another reenactor of note was Taylor Anderson; he is totally responsible for the artillery in the film. Best I have ever scene. I am also very proud of getting the pioneers in the film. They are rarely shown in any films and these guys were important. One squad per battalion and we even placed them on the correct position for the attack. It was also nice to have Cos’ Column attacking inverted. Impossible to tell unless you look close but the Mexican Colors give it away. Glad Navarro illustrated that for the ages. Loved getting the cazadores carrying Baker Rifles as well, and having them in skirmish order in front of the attacking columns.

AS: Did you and Dr. Hardin have any say on how the look of Crockett’s execution would be shown on film? And if so, how?

ACH: I was not on set that day, and I don’t know if Steve was or not. We of course told them that Crockett was executed with others, but that doesn’t lend itself to the story, I guess. I did want them to use swords and not bayonets. We ended up with one Artillery Short Sword carried by Jesus’ sargento, but that was it. Pity.

AS: What did Mr. Hancock use in ways of ideas and suggestions from you and Dr. Hardin?

ACH: Well, we vetted the script and handed in seventy-five pages of recommendations. Some were taken and some were not, but they were all considered. John Lee’s standing order to us was that he never wanted to make a decision out of ignorance. And he meant that. Example: We were filming the opening scenes, the shot were the camera comes down the ramp in the cha… church. A weeping Fransico is holding the dead Gregorio. Nice scene. We were just about to shoot (I had been filming the interview that is now on the DVD over on the SW Corner, I think), and I walked up. I looked at John Lee and he said, “What?” I reminded him of his guidance and told him that Fransico was a presidial and would not be dressed in a shako. He thanked me and we continued the scene with shako. That is what a technical advisor does—advise. You are not a decision maker. I will say that John Lee was a treasure to work for. During my interview for the DVD I kept commenting on John Lee’s leadership abilities and the interviewer had to keep guiding me back to the art stuff.

AS: What other Alamo productions have you taken part in? Have you had the chance to take part in any excavation projects?

ACH: I have been in TEXAS AND TENNEESSEE: A MUSICAL CONNECTION that has one brief Alamo sequence with Jimmy Dean and Jerry Reed; GONE TO TEXAS where I can best be viewed and the scared, baby-faced New Orleans Grey (NOG) who looks over Ben Milam’s shoulder when we first enter town during the Battle of Bexar; I was the cavalry coordinator for TWO FOR TEXAS. Not a great film, but we had some good quality control on the reenactors and I was glad to contribute. That and various documentaries that seem to get some folks stirred up. Have never excavated. Maybe someday.

AS: Any future Alamo plans in the works?

ACH: Me no Alamo! Hardin and I are working on a small project, but it’s related to the entire war, not just the Alamo. My book, “The Texas War of Independence” came out last year. I wanted Texian rather than Texas, since a region can not have a rebellion—only the citizens can do that, but the editors overruled me. I am concentrating on fiction, which I guess is what some folks think I did in “Blood of Noble Men.”

AS: Finally, what is your goal as an Alamo and Military Historian?

ACH: Before Blood came out, there was not chronology. Now there is one. At least there is a place to start. I think I have done all the damage to the Alamo that I can. It’s time for the next generation to come in and take over, I am on to other things, but the Alamo will always be very precious to me. It was my first love.

A big thanks to Mr.Huffines for the interview!

~Wade