Battle of the Alamo

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Battle of the Alamo
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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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

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• built up the Alamo walls
• placed 21 cannons along the Alamo walls
• built palisades from which to fight

• strategically located along the Old San Antonio
  Road
• one of the first towns Santa Annas forces would
  meet
• Alamo and its artillery too important to destroy

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William B. Travis

• 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
  didnt want to go to the mostly Tejano San
  Antonio.

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Problems with Command

• Bowie and Travis did not get along.
• Both Bowie Travis argued over who would be in
  command of the Alamo

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Battle of the AlamoFeb. 23 Mar. 6, 1836
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Santa Anna Arrives

• Santa Annas army arrived 20 days after Travis on
  Feb the 23rd.
• 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.

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The Alamo Siege

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

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Texas Mexico Meet

• Santa Anna demands that the Texans surrender
• Travis ordered a cannon to be fired at the
  Mexicans ending any hope of a peaceful ending

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• The fighting at the Alamo began on Feb. 24, 1836.
  
• The Mexican cannons bombarded the Alamo for
  hours, with very little Texas gun fire.
• The Texans were saving ammunition for a full
  attack.

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William B. Travis

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

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• Travis sent his most famous letter on the second
  day of the siege
• To The People of Texas andAll 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 TravisLt. Col. Comdt.

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• On March 5th, 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?

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Fierce Fighting

• March 6, 1836- 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.

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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 couldnt 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.

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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