Timeline of the Texas Revolution

October, 1835 2 – The Battle of Gonzales officially begins the Texas Revolution. The Texian settlers retained their cannon; Castañeda and his men retreated. A.M., J.W.F., R.M.W., and J.C.N. were all there…in fact, J.C.N. fired the cannon! That’s Texians: 1, Mexicans: 0 Martin Prefecto de Cos occupies Goliad. After receiving 450 reinforcements, he departs for San Antonio, leaving a residual force of about 30 men in Goliad.

Still October, 1835 9 (My birthday! Well…not 1835, I’m not THAT old!) After a 30-minute battle in Goliad, the Mexican garrison, under Colonel Juan López Sandoval, surrendered. Texians occupy the presidio at Goliad. Name of presidio? Yes, La Bahia Texians: 2, Mexico: 0 11 – Austin is elected commander of the Texian volunteers. The army begins marching towards San Antonio.

Still October, 1835 27 – Austin sends J.B. and 90 men to scout for a base of operations from which to launch a siege. Despite orders to return that day, J.B. and his men camp overnight on the grounds of Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisimo Concepcion de Acuna. Oct. 28 – 400 Mexican troops attack J.B. and his men. (J.W.F. was with him!) The Battle of Concepcion ended with a Mexican retreat. (Texians: 3, Mexicans: 0)

November, 1835 1 – The Texians begin the Siege of Bexar.

November, 1835 3 – The Consultation names Sam Houston commander-in-chief of a regular Texas Army, with no authority over Austin's volunteers 18 - Stephen F. Austin resigned command of the Texian forces at San Antonio to fulfill his mission to the United States as a commissioner. 24 - Edward Burleson became general of the volunteer army and replaced Austin. 28 – Santa Anna leaves Mexico City with a 6,000-strong Mexican Army, marching northward to take back Texas from the rebels. (In November??? NOBODY starts a military campaign in November…everyone knows that…)

Two main roads led into Texas from the Mexican interior.

Two forts blocked these approaches into Texas: Presidio La Bahía (Nuestra Señora de Loreto Presidio) at Goliad and the Alamo at San Antonio. J.C.N. received command of the Bexar garrison. Some ninety miles to the southeast, J.W.F., Jr. subsequently took command at Goliad.

December, 1835 5 – Burleson was reluctant to attack Bexar, but Ben Milam wasn’t! "Who will go with old Ben Milam into Bexar?" Three hundred volunteered to attack at dawn on December 5. Under Ben Milam, Texans launch an assault on San Antonio. Milam is killed, D.S. is injured – from roof of Vermendi house. (Vermendi family…we’ll be hearing more about them…) 10 – General Cos surrenders over 1,000 Mexican troops and the Alamo to Texan forces at San Antonio. Cos and his men are paroled to Mexico under a promise to not fight against the Texans again. (Texians: 4, Mexicans: 0)

January, 1836 14 – Sam Houston arrives at Goliad. 14 –J.C.N., commander at the Alamo, pleads for supplies. Bexar had twenty-one artillery pieces of various caliber. (18 were working) Because of his artillery experience and his regular army commission, J.C.N. was a logical choice to command. 19 –J.B. and J.B.B. arrive at the Alamo with thirty men.

February, 1836 Colonel N. had complained that "for want of horses," he could not even "send out a small spy company." If the Alamo were to function as an early-warning station, N. had to have outriders. So…enter the dashing cavalryman: 3 – William Travis arrives at the Alamo. (He’s not exactly thrilled, at first…) 8 – David Crockett arrives at the Alamo. 11- Alamo commander J.C.N. leaves the Alamo due to a family illness. He appoints Travis commander. 13 - Travis and J.B. agree upon joint command of the Alamo's forces.

Let’s set the scene for what is to follow: All great stories need a setting, characters, and a plot… …and the story of the Alamo is Texas’ GREATEST story! So first: Setting. Let’s draw a bird’s eye view of what the Alamo looked like at the time.

Just two cannons…seriously?

1836-2015

Now let’s add characters: Specifically, the three main Alamo heroes: Travis Crockett Bowie

And, finally, plot: Go to “Day by Day of the Alamo Siege.”

Early in the morning on the 6th of March 1836 Santa Anna began his assault on the Alamo. The cannons and crumbled walls that remained of the Alamo were no match for the many waves of Mexican troops. Mexican soldiers quickly fought through the Texans defenses. William Travis was one of the first killed as he rushed up the north wall to face the enemy. Jim Bowie was killed while sick in bed, however some credit him with fighting from his bed. The attack lasted about 90 minutes. Texians: 4, Mexicans: 1…but it’s a HUGE, and tragic, 1.