Battle of the Alamo

January 1836 Most Texans thought the war was over. They at least thought they would be safe until the summer. Most of the Texans in the “Army of the People” went back to their homes.

The Texan Army There was around 600 men left in the army. Sam Houston was its leader but little power. Divided into Small Groups Soldiers Dr. James Grant and Francis Johnston had about 100 men at San Patricio Col. James McNeil had about 100 men in San Antonio and began fortifying the Alamo. Col. James Fannin commanded around 300 men at La Bahia or as it would be called Goliad. The rest were spread about different cities.

Mexican Army Santa Anna had taken his brother in law Cos’ defeat in San Antonio personally. He raised an army of about 6,000 soldiers and marched north in the dead of winter.

Santa Anna split his army in two. - General Urrea was to take south Texas - Santa Anna himself to take San Antonio.

San Patrico General Urrea was the first to run into Texas Rebels. 50 Texians led by James Grant were caught by surprise and easily defeated by Urrea near San Patrico. Santa Anna gave Urrea orders to take NO prisoners. He ordered his soldiers to put the Texans to “the sword”.

San Antonio Col. James McNeil of the Texan army was in charge of San Antonio. He requested some cavalry (soldiers on horses) from the provisional government to patrol the area.

Sam Houston Orders Sam Houston became concerned that Texas troops were so disorganized. Houston sends James Bowie to San Antonio to evaluate the situation Sam Houston orders the Alamo to be destroyed and artillery be removed When Bowie get to the Alamo he agreed with the people in San Antonio that it should not be destroyed and disobeys Houston

Why Chose to Defend Texans at the Alamo How Prepared strategically located along the Old San Antonio Road one of the first towns Santa Anna’s forces would meet Alamo and its artillery too important to destroy built up the Alamo walls placed 21 cannons along the Alamo walls built palisades from which to fight

William Barrett Travis was assigned to go to San Antonio James Bowie & William Travis began to recruit supports He was only able to recruit 29 soldiers and didn’t want to go to the mostly Tejano San Antonio. William B. Travis

Problems with Command Bowie and Travis did not get along. Both Bowie & Travis argued over who would be in command of the Alamo

Battle of the Alamo Feb. 23 – Mar. 6, 1836

Santa Anna Arrives Santa Anna’s army arrived 20 days after Travis on Feb the 23 rd. The Texans were totally surprised and rushed into the Alamo for safety. Bowie tried to parley (a discussion between enemies) for good terms of surrender with the Mexican army. This upset Travis who considered himself in charge.

After the Mexicans arrived on Feb 23 rd, they settled into a siege of the Alamo. They flew a red flag which meant no quarter. (no mercy, no prisoners) The Alamo Siege

Santa Anna demands that the Texans surrender Travis ordered a cannon to be fired at the Mexicans ending any hope of a peaceful ending… Texas & Mexico Meet

The fighting at the Alamo began on Feb. 24, The Mexican cannons bombarded the Alamo for hours, with very little Texas gun fire. The Texans were saving ammunition for a full attack.

The night of Feb. 24 th William Travis writes a Letter to recruit men to help at the Alamo “To the People of Texas & All the Americans in the World” William B. Travis

Travis sent his most famous letter on the second day of the siege: To The People of Texas and All Americans In The World -- February 24, 1836 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. I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing 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.

By the 24 th James Bowie had become extremely sick and was bedridden for the rest of the siege. Another blow for Travis came on March 1 st, reinforcements came from Gonzales but it was only 32 men. Known as the “Immortal 32” He needed much more…

How many Texan defenders were at the Alamo? – The tradition number of defenders is 189. But some estimates range up to as many as 257. – Almost all were Anglo-American but it is known that at least 9 Tejanos died with them and maybe more. – Some of the Texan had slaves and some of them may have fought and died with their masters. – Travis’ slave Joe even claimed to see a dead female slave.

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR, 3 o'clock p.m.: The enemy in large force are in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance. William Barrett Travis

The Assault on the Alamo

On March 5 th, Santa Anna decided to finally assault the Alamo. His generals were surprised. No Texan reinforcements had shown and the bombardment of the Mexican cannons was crumbling the Alamo walls. Why attack now?

Fierce Fighting March 6, The Texans were awaken by the Mexican army band playing “El Deguello.” (Cut Throat) The song meant take no prisoners and show no mercy. The full attack by the Mexican army started before dawn.

At 4 a.m. on March the 6 th the Mexican soldiers lined up outside Alamo. At 5 a.m. 2,000 Mexicans attacked on all 4 sides.

The Texans put up a noble fight but stood no chance. They were out numbered more than 10 to 1 The battle lasted no more than 90 minutes, every Texan defender was killed.

Travis is one of the first Texans to be killed. – According to his slave Joe (who survived the battle) Travis was shot in the head in the first few minutes on the North Wall. Bowie, too sick to fight, is killed in his bed. – Movie accounts show him firing pistols at the on coming Mexicans but there is zero evidence to support this How did Crockett die?

How did David Crockett die? – There are many different opinions on this. Some think that he survived the battle along with a few others and was executed afterwards. Others think he died defending the palisade. Still others think that as many as 60 of the defenders including Crockett jumped the walls to escape during the assault and were killed outside the Alamo. – There are so many different eye witness accounts from Mexican soldiers and survivors of the battle like Susanna Dickinson and Travis’ slave Joe that history will never know.

Susanna Dickinson claimed to see Crockett’s body surrounded by a pile of dead Mexicans. While several Mexican soldiers said in later years that Santa Anna had him executed.

Aftermath Not everyone in the Alamo died. About 20 or so non-combatants: women, children, and slaves were spared by Santa Anna including Susanna Dickinson and Travis’ slave Joe. Santa Anna told them to tell Texas about what had happened and that it would happen to them as well if they did not leave Texas.

The defenders bodies were burned in a huge fire. After the war, Juan Seguin would return to the Alamo and give them a proper burial.

Results of the Alamo 1. Santa Anna believed that with his win at the Alamo it would send a warning to the Texans that he couldn’t be defeated. 2. To the Texans the Alamo became a symbol to fight Santa Anna at all cost. 3. To the Americans the Alamo became a symbol of courage that the Texans had. Soon the battle cry “Remember the Alamo” became famous to Texans.

Battle of the Alamo Summary Battle of the Alamo Feb. 23 – Mar. 6, 1836 Texans moved into the Alamo & for 13 days fought the Mexicans 1800 Mexican troops fought against about 189 Texans All Texans (except some women & children) were killed & about 600 Mexican soldiers were killed March 6, 1836 Fall of the Alamo