Today in History: Ft. Alamo falls to Mexican army [March 06, 1836)

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[yankeedame]

Final assault on The Alamo

Plan of the Alamo, by José Juan Sánchez-Navarro, 1836.

Date: February 23–March 6, 1836
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Result: Mexican victory

Combatants:
1) Republic of Mexico
A) Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas

Commanders:
1) Antonio López de Santa Anna Pérez de Lebrón William
A)William Travis†,Jim Bowie†,Davy Crockett†

Strength:
1) 6,000 in attack [1,800 in assault]
A) 183 to 250

Casualties:
1) 600 dead [Also given as from 70 to 200 killed 300 to 400 wounded]
A)183 to 250 dead

Final assault

At the end of 12 days the number of Mexican forces attacking the post was reported as high as 4,000 to 5,000, but only about 1,400 to 1,600 soldiers were used in the investment and the final assault. 6,500 soldiers had originally set out from San Luis Potosí, but illness and desertion had since reduced the force. The Mexican siege was scientific and professionally conducted in the Napoleonic style.

After a 13-day period in which the defenders were tormented with bands blaring at night (including buglers sounding the no-mercy call El Degüello), occasional artillery fire, and an ever closing ring of Mexicans cutting off potential escape routes, Santa Anna planned the final assault for March 6.

Santa Anna

Santa Anna raised a blood red flag which made his message perfectly clear. No quarter would be given for the defenders.

Lieutenant Colonel Travis wrote in his final dispatches: "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 their demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat."

The Mexican army attacked the Alamo in four columns plus a reserve and a pursuit and security force, starting at around 5:30 a.m.

Martín Perfecto de Cos

The first column of 300 to 400 men led by Martín Perfecto de Cos moved towards the northwest corner of the Alamo. The second was of 380 men commanded by Colonel Francisco Duque. The third column comprised 400 soldiers led by Colonel José María Romero. The fourth comprised 100 cazadores (light infantry) commanded by Colonel Juan Morales.

The attacking columns had to cover 200 to 300 yards (200 to 300 m) of open ground before they could reach the Alamo walls.

To prevent any attempted escape by the fleeing Texians or reinforcements from coming in, Santa Anna placed 350 cavalry under Brigadier General Ramírez y Sesma to patrol the surrounding countryside.

The Texans initially pushed back one of the attacking columns, although Cos' column was able to breach the Alamo's weak north wall fairly quickly where the first defenders fell—among them William Barret Travis, who was allegedly killed by a shot to the head.

Meanwhile, the rest of Santa Anna's columns continued the assault while Cos's men flooded into the fortress. The Alamo defenders were spread too thin to adequately defend both the walls and the invading Mexicans.

Jim Bowie

By 6:30 that morning, nearly all of the Alamo defenders had been slain in brutal hand-to-hand combat. Jim Bowie is reported by some survivors to have been bayoneted and shot to death in his cot.

The battle, from the initial assault to the capture of the Alamo, lasted only an hour. According to a Mexican report, a group of male survivors were executed after the battle. Davy Crockett was alleged to be among them, but this claim is subject to heavy controversy.

William Travis

A legend exists that on March 3, March 4, or March 5, Lieutenant Colonel Travis drew a line in the sand with his sword and invited all those who were willing to stay, and presumably to die, to cross over the line. Allegedly, the invalid Jim Bowie was carried across the line at his request. According to one variant of the story, all but one defender crossed the line.

[Jedi Master Pikachu]

ping for future.

[VU4G10]

Alamo falls to Mexican army [March 06, 1836)

AMERICA FALLS TO MEXICAN UNARMED ARMY OF 20 MILLION (MARCH 2007)

[Pistolshot]

The 'line in the sand' is what we have come to use as our last effort before warfare. It is good that legends such as these influence our thinking now.
The Alamo is the shame of Texas and it's focal point in it's history for independence. The men who died there should be remembered. Whites and Hispanics fought and died there in the name of freedom.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Get ready for Our government may apologize to their Mexican Masters for San Jacinto!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Goliad is the shame of Texas!

[raybbr]

I'm surprised they are celebrating today.

[Kolb]

In remembrance of those brave men who fought and died for freedom. Thank you. Rest in Peace.

[Sherman Logan]

The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken

Given what happened at Goliad, it probably didn't make much difference whether he defenders of the Alamo surrendered or not.

I've always thought it odd that the battlecry at San Jacinto that has been remembered was "Remember the Alamo!" At the Alamo the Mexicans played by the rules, admittedly very harsh rules.

At Goliad they massacred men who had surrendered on promise of their lives. Seems like "Remember Goliad!" would be a more logical warcry.

Except that it just doesn't scan as well.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

The yell at San Jacinto was "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad".

[NCC-1701]

I always thought Davy Crockett looked like this:

[Sherman Logan]

I actually knew that, which was why I said the cry that has been remembered was the one about the Alamo. Everybody has heard about the Alamo, mostly only history geeks (and Texans) are familar with what happened at Goliad.

[Professional Engineer]

We were just there Sunday.

(Gentlemen remove your hats)

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Do you know anything about the Texas Navy?

[Sherman Logan]

I know that Mexico and Texas fought a naval war that lasted essentially throughout the period of Texan independence. Neither side had much of a navy and things seesawed back and forth as first one side and then the other acquired one or two new ships.

If I remember rightly, Texas also attempted to intervene in and support a revolt in the Yucatan or thereabouts with its navy.

[pax_et_bonum]

Texas Ping

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

Texas had three small frigates, they harassed the larger Mexican Navy and kept them from landing men and supplies to aid Santa Anna.
All three Frigates were in such bad shape they were destroyed after San Jacinto.
Texas bought a steam Ship that was damaged in a hurricane, repaired it and armed it with cannons.
This along with two small frigates took the fight to Mexico.

They caught the Mexican Navy during a lull in the wind and did a lot of damage with the Steam Ship.
They also went up a river to Villa Hermosa, Tabasco (state capitol).
They were going to bombard the town but were bought off.

[Xenalyte]

This is a great thread . . . thanks for the ping!

[pax_et_bonum]

You're most welcome for the ping!