The Mexican Army Advances  Seeking revenge against the rebellious Texans, Santa Anna decided that he would personally lead the attack.  In Feb Santa Anna’s army of approximately 6,000 soldiers reached the Rio Grande. Santa Anna led some of his forces to San Antonio.

The Mexican Army Advances  General Jose de Urrea who entered Texas further south near Matamoros, proceeded with an army toward Goliad.  The Texas army was unprepared for an advance by the Mexican troops, and Urrea quickly overtook the Texans that were headed to Matamoros. General Jose de Urrea

The Mexican Army Advances  The rest of the Texas troops were scattered into small groups.  Colonel James Neill had just more than 100 troops in San Antonio and about 400 soldiers were in Goliad under the command of Colonel James Fannin. Colonel James Fannin

The Mexican Army Advances  Sam Houston was alarmed that the Texas army was so ill-prepared and disorganized.  He sent James “Jim” Bowie to San Antonio to evaluate the situation there.  Houston recommended that the Alamo be destroyed and its artillery removed.  Governor Smith disagreed, believing it was important to defend the Alamo Governor Henry Smith

The Mexican Army Advances  On January 19 Bowie arrived in San Antonio with 25 men.  He examined Colonel Neill’s improvements to the fort and its 21 cannons.  He and Neill agreed that the Alamo and its artillery were too important to destroy.  He wrote Governor Smith with his recommendation. James “Jim” Bowie

The Mexican Army Advances  When Smith received Bowie’s letter, he sent reinforcements. He ordered Colonel William B. Travis and the 30 men Travis recruited to San Antonio.  As word of the rebellion spread, U.S. volunteers trickled into Texas including famous frontiersman and former U.S. Congressman from Tennessee, David Crockett. He didn’t want a position of authority. David Crockett

The Mexican Army Advances  James Bonham and a volunteer force from Alabama called the Mobile Grays also joined the Texas defenders.  When Colonel Neill had to leave the Alamo to care for an ill family member, he put Travis in command.  Bowie and Travis argued over control, but finally agreed to share command. James Bonham

The Siege Begins  As the Mexican troops approached San Antonio, the Texas troops built up their defenses. They strengthened the walls by building them 12 feet high and 2 feet wide. They also built palisades (high fences made of stakes) for the soldiers to fight behind.  21 cannons were placed around the Alamo.

The Siege Begins  The Alamo would be difficult to defend. The area enclosed was 3 acres and likely required 1,000 soldiers to defend it properly. The Texans only had 150 men.  Travis and the rest of the Alamo defenders hoped for reinforcements.  Juan Seguin organized scouts to look for Santa Anna’s troops.

The Siege Begins  As Mexican troops marched in to the city, the defenders, their families and some local residents rushed into the Alamo walls. Expecting a siege, they collected food, supplies and ammunition.  General Santa Anna demanded their surrender and the Texans responded by firing a cannon shot toward the Mexican army.

The Siege Begins  Santa Anna responded quickly by ordering a blood red flag to be flown so the defenders could see. This “no quarter” flag meant that Santa Anna would leave no survivors.  On February 24, Mexican forces began firing on the Alamo and that day Travis wrote his famous letter which was a request for aid in the face of certain death.

Commandancy of the Alamo Bejar, Feby. 24, 1836 To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World Fellow citizens & compatriots I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country VICTORY OR DEATH. William Barret Travis, Lt. Col. comdt. P.S. The Lord is on our side. When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn. We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves. Travis

Travis' Appeal for Aid at the Alamo (24 February 1836)

The Siege Begins  Bowie, who was ill, collapsed during on the second day of the siege, so Travis took command.  He ordered the Texans to stop shooting so they could save their ammunition.

The Fall of the Alamo  Travis sent out several more pleas for help. Bonham left to find aid for the Alamo, only to sneak back in on March 3.  Juan Seguin snuck past Mexican solders to request help from Col. James Fannin at Goliad, but no help arrived.  On March 1, 32 volunteers from Gonzales rode into the Alamo.

The Fall of the Alamo  In the early morning hours of March 6 the Mexican forces attacked the Alamo to the sounds of Santa Anna’s army band playing “El Deguello”. This song meant no mercy would be shown.  Mexican troops overwhelmed the Texans with their bombardment and hand to hand combat followed until almost every defender was killed.

The Fall of the Alamo  As the smoke cleared, at least 182 Texans were dead.  Accounts of Mexican losses vary. There were some 600 Mexican casualties.  Of the Alamo, survivors, Susanna Dickinson and her baby. Santa Anna summoned her and told her to warn the other Texans of the fate of the Alamo to discourage any more rebellion. Susanna Dickinson

The Fall of the Alamo  General Santa Anna believed that the fall of the Alamo would convince Texans to surrender.  In a letter, he wrote that he had achieved a “complete and glorious triumph”.  Instead, the Alamo became a symbol to many Texans that they must fight at any cost.