The Siege and Battle of the Alamo Texas Revolution The Siege and Battle of the Alamo

The Alamo

The Texan Army There were around 600 men left in the army. Sam Houston its leader, but he has little power. Divided into small groups: Dr. James Grant and Francis Johnson had 100 men in San Patrico Colonel James McNeil had about 100 men in San Antonio and began fortifying the Alamo. Colonel James Fannin had about 400 men in Goliad The rest spread about different cities

Problems with the Texas Army The Texans wasted valuable time by thinking Santa Anna would wait until spring to move north. Most people went back home. The provisional government created an army, but it did not recruit. Fighters were undisciplined, unwilling to take orders. Too many government officials gave orders.

The Mexican Army Santa Anna had taken his brother-in-law’s defeat in San Antonio personally. He raised an army of about 6000 soldiers and marched north in the dead of winter.

The Mexican Army Santa Anna split his army in two. General Urrea was to take south Texas Santa Anna would personally take San Antonio

The Siege of the Alamo Sam Houston wanted the Alamo destroyed and sent Jim Bowie to evaluate its value Governor Henry Smith did not agree with Houston Bowie is convinced by Colonel James C. Neill that it’s too important to destroy. Neill’s reasons to defend the Alamo: The Alamo and its artillery (21 pieces) are critical to the defense of Texas The Alamo is strategically located along the Old San Antonio Road (a major route through Texas) San Antonio is the first major settlement Santa Anna’s forces would meet

The Siege of the Alamo Now committed to defending the Alamo, Governor Smith decides to reinforce Bowie and Neill: Although 400 Texans were at Goliad under James Fannin, Smith orders William B. Travis to raise volunteers and report to the Alamo. Travis recruits 30 men (Regular Army). Some help arrives from the U.S. Davey Crockett (famous Frontiersman and former U.S. Congressman) arrives with volunteers James Bonham (friend of Travis’) arrives with forces from Alabama called Mobile Grays.

The Siege of the Alamo Reinforcing the Alamo The Texans prepared the Alamo by: Building up the walls and creating palisades—high fences made of stake Placing 21 canons along the Alamo walls Building walls to 12 high and 2 feet thick Colonel Neill leaves to attend to sick family, so Bowie and Travis share the command of troops at the Alamo

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 On February 23, 1836, lookouts spot Mexican troops marching down the road to San Antonio. Texans gather supplies and rush inside the Alamo. The Alamo used to be a mission, so its expansive size made it difficult to properly defend (it was 3 acres). Texans send out a call for reinforcements and hope.

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 Santa Anna demands the Texans surrender, which they answer with a canon shot. Santa Anna orders the Blood-Red Flag to be raised indicating he would leave no prisoners, no survivors The Siege of the Alamo had begun.

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 On February 24, 1836, Colonel Bowie falls ill and turns full command over to Travis. Mexican troops begin bombardment of Alamo William B. Travis writes his letter, “To the People of Texas and all Americans in the World” appeal for assistance On February 25—Artillery bombardment continues Travis sends appeal to Sam Houston On February 26—Texans made a raid on La Valletta, burning several homes which have afforded the Mexicans cover

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 On February 27—Bombardment continues Travis sends James Bonham to seek help from Colonel Fannin in Goliad. February 28—Little rest, little food New Mexican artillery battery placed about 800 yards to north of Alamo Santa Anna’s tactics are having an affect on Texans February 29—Santa Anna moves his troops closer March 1—Captain Albert Martin leads 32 men from Gonzales to reinforce the Alamo. There are now about 189 Texans and 1800 Mexican troops.

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 March 2—Convention at Washington-on-the-Brazos declares Texas an Independent Republic. Alamo remains under heavy bombardment. March 3—Bonham returns unsuccessfully from Goliad and his attempt to secure reinforcements. March 4—Mexican troops advance their artillery batteries to about 200 yards of the Alamo’s north wall. March 5—Travis assembles men in the plaza and tells them there is no hope or help. Legend says Travis draws a line on the ground to be crossed by those who will stand and fight. All cross except Moses Rose, who escapes over the wall.

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 March 6, 1836 at 1:00 a.m.—1400 Mexican troops move to their attack positions. March 6, 1836 at 5:00 a.m.—Santa Anna gives signal and Mexican bugler sounds the El Deguello

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 Four columns of the Mexican army had advanced three times after being halted by Texan artillery. Mexican Army suffers heavy casualties. Mexican Army entered the Alamo on the third assault and captures a canon. There is heavy hand-to-hand combat. March 6, 1836 at 6:30 a.m.—The Battle is over. The Alamo has fallen.

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 Atleast 182 Texans killed. Atleast 8 Tejanos killed while fighting for Texas. About 600 Mexican casualties. Civilian survivors include: Susanna Dickinson and her baby daughter, Ana Salazar Esparza, Travis’ slave, Joe, and a few other noncombatants.

The Siege of the Alamo February 23—March 6, 1836 Results of the Siege and Battle of the Alamo: Santa Anna believed that after taking the Alamo, he had achieved total victory against Texas and that the Texans would surrender. To the Texans, the Alamo became a symbol to fight Santa Anna at all cost. To the Americans, the Alamo became a symbol of courage that the Texans had. The battle cry, “Remember the Alamo” became famous to Texans