John Salmon "Rip" Ford

His nickname came from casualty lists. As adjutant of Hays's regiment in the Mexican War, Ford began each death notice with "Rest in Peace," and under battle conditions shortened it to "R.I.P." Earlier, as a member of the Ninth Congress of the Republic, he had introduced the resolution to accept annexation to the United States. In late 1859 he commanded operations on the Rio Grande against Juan N. Cortina, and in May 1865 he led Confederate forces at Palmito Ranch, the last battle of the Civil War. He then edited the Brownsville Sentinel.

What the plaque says

John Salmon "Rip" Ford Here Rests in Peace--John Salmon ("Rip") Ford May 26, 1815- November 3, 1897. Native South Carolinan, Pioneer doctor and editor, Republic of Texas Congressman, twice state Senator, Jack Hay's adjutant in war with Mexico, fearless Ranger Captain in border and Indian campaigns, Confederate colonel, Mayor of Austin and Brownsville, member Constitutional Convention of 1875, superintendent State Deaf and Dumb School, charter member of Texas State Historical Association. As warmaker and as peacekeeper, he was steadfast and true to his motto: "Ready, ay, ready!" Erected by the State of Texas, 1963.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• The Alamo — 1.5 mi
  Mission San Antonio de Valero before it was a fort: a church its builders never finished, a thirteen-day siege in 1836, and the Army gable of 1850-52 that became its emblem.
• La Villita Historic Arts Village — 1.5 mi
  The little village across the river from the presidio, where Cos surrendered San Antonio in 1835, rebuilt by Depression-era youth crews as a working crafts village.
• San Antonio River Walk — 1.6 mi
  A Depression-era park one level below downtown, built because San Antonio refused to pave its river after the 1921 flood, and designed by an architect the project later fired.
• San Fernando Cathedral — 1.9 mi
  The Canary Islanders' parish church on Main Plaza, where Bowie married and Santa Anna raised a red flag, rebuilt in Gothic Revival around the walls of the 1750s church.

More markers nearby

• Hamilton P. Bee — steps away
• Confederate Cemetery — steps away
• Adina Emilia de Zavala — 0.2 mi
• Samuel S. Smith — 0.3 mi