The Battle of the Alamo
The Alamo's History
The Alamo served a purpose for both the Mexicans and the Texans. Before the Revolution, the Alamo served as a midpoint between Texas and Mexico so supplies could get through. The midpoint was needed for rest and for the travlers to get more weapons to defend themselves from Native American raids. It was also used for a garrison, troops stationed at a fort. All in all, the Alamo was pretty important for the Mexicans and Texans.
Why Did Santa Anna Want the Alamo?
Santa Anna probably wanted the Alamo for political reasons, not military, as some may think. He wanted to win a battle after his defeat at Gonzalez. It must have been pretty embarrising to have been beaten by a group of rebellious townsfolk.
Houston's Demand
Sam Houston, the commander of the Texas Army, sent word to Bowie to withdraw troops from the Alamo and destroy it. Bowie refused, though, because he the thought they could beat Santa Anna and his army.
Willaim B. Travis Vs. James Bowie
William B. Travis
William B. Travis, only in his late 20's at the time, was put in command of the Alamo. James Bowie, a volunteer at the Alamo, thought this unfair, and called for a vote to see who should be in command. All of the people under Bowie voted for Bowie, and all of the people under Travis voted for Travis. They called it a draw and co-commanded.
James Bowie
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett
Davy Crockett was a Tennesse volunteer who brought a lot of volunteers to the Alamo. He also stayed to fight and he was a great influence to the people. He was a Colonel in the army and a member of Congress.
Travis's Letter
The most heroic document in Texas History
The Travis Letter
Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby. 24th 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 & cannon-
ade 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 nev-
er surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name
of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the Amer--
ican 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 coun-
try --
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 bush-
els & got into the walls 20 or 30 heads of Beeves.
Travis
Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby. 24th 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 & cannon-
ade 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 nev-
er surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name
of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the Amer--
ican 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 coun-
try --
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 bush-
els & got into the walls 20 or 30 heads of Beeves.
Travis
Travis sent this letter to call for volunteers from anywhere. Texas was outnumbered by the Mexican Army, so, quite obviously, he needed help. This letter is considered one of the most heroic documents in Texas history.
The Significance of the Red Flag
A red flag shown on the battle field means no mercy
When an army raises the red flag, it means that this army is showing no mercy to the other. Santa Anna did this to the Texan Army at the Battle of the Alamo.
James Bowie's Death
James Bowie
Before the Battle of the Alamo, Bowie was taken over by an illness and tried to defeat it. This illness made Bowie very weak, and not before long, the illness had overtaken him.
But before Bowie died, he called in Travis and gave him full control of the Texas army that were in the Alamo.
But before Bowie died, he called in Travis and gave him full control of the Texas army that were in the Alamo.
The Battle
On February 23rd,1836, the Mexicans attacked the Texas army. Commander William B. Travis was one of the first ones to die at the Alamo because he rushed to defend it. All of the Texas defenders died also during the battle including the famous Davy Crockett.
The battle lasted from February 23rd to March 6th, 1836. Thirteen days of fighting resulted in all 600 of Texas' defenders dead.
Santa Anna let a few related to the defenders go, among them Susanna W. Dickinson, wife of Capt. Almaron Dickinson, and their daughter Angelina. Those who were released were to spread the news to the others about how Santa Anna would show them no mercy.
The battle lasted from February 23rd to March 6th, 1836. Thirteen days of fighting resulted in all 600 of Texas' defenders dead.
Santa Anna let a few related to the defenders go, among them Susanna W. Dickinson, wife of Capt. Almaron Dickinson, and their daughter Angelina. Those who were released were to spread the news to the others about how Santa Anna would show them no mercy.
Image Resources
http://www.flagsbay.com/flag/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/the-alamo.jpg
http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=3&q=Santa+Anna
http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHistory/Images/BonhamTXTravisAlamoLetterM.jpg
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/travis.htm
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=james%20bowie&safe=on&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi
http://texasheritagesociety.org/images/travis%20page%201%20sharp.jpg
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/mcardle/images/paintings/alamo-painting.jpg
http://www.flagsbay.com/flag/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/the-alamo.jpg
http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=active&rls=com.microsoft%3Aen-us&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=3&q=Santa+Anna
http://www.texasescapes.com/TexasHistory/Images/BonhamTXTravisAlamoLetterM.jpg
http://www.lsjunction.com/people/travis.htm
http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&q=james%20bowie&safe=on&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi
http://texasheritagesociety.org/images/travis%20page%201%20sharp.jpg
http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/mcardle/images/paintings/alamo-painting.jpg
Thanks To...
Thank you to http://www.mohicanpress.com/battles/ba02003.html for the words in the Travis Letter!
