The Red Rovers were a volunteer military company organized at Courtland in 1835 to aid Texas in its struggle for independence. Commanded by Dr. Jack Shackelford, a local physician, the company took its name from the color of its homespun uniforms, made by citizens of Courtland. In its first battle, the company was assigned to a regiment that was cut off and captured at Coleta on March 20, 1836, and it surrendered on a promise of return to the U.S. On March 27, the company and others, 365 men, were executed at Goliad by order of Gen. Santa Anna. Shackelford and seven other Red Rovers were spared; he later escaped and returned to Courtland. The Goliad incident, along with the Alamo, rallied U.S. support and guaranteed freedom for Texas.