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Alamo defenders call for help
www.history.com ^ | 2-24-09 | Unknown

Posted on 02/24/2009 6:59:23 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer

February 24, 1836

On this day in 1836, in San Antonio, Texas, Colonel William Travis issues a call for help on behalf of the Texan troops defending the Alamo, an old Spanish mission and fortress under attack by the Mexican army.


TOPICS: History; Military/Veterans; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: alamo; godsgravesglyphs; remember; the
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A native of Alabama, Travis moved to the Mexican state of Texas in 1831. He soon became a leader of the growing movement to overthrow the Mexican government and establish an independent Texan republic. When the Texas revolution began in 1835, Travis became a lieutenant-colonel in the revolutionary army and was given command of troops in the recently captured city of San Antonio de Bexar (now San Antonio). On February 23, 1836, a large Mexican force commanded by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana arrived suddenly in San Antonio. Travis and his troops took shelter in the Alamo, where they were soon joined by a volunteer force led by Colonel James Bowie.

Though Santa Ana's 5,000 troops heavily outnumbered the several hundred Texans, Travis and his men determined not to give up. On February 24, they answered Santa Ana's call for surrender with a bold shot from the Alamo's cannon. Furious, the Mexican general ordered his forces to launch a siege. Travis immediately recognized his disadvantage and sent out several messages via couriers asking for reinforcements. Addressing one of the pleas to "The People of Texas and All Americans in the World," Travis signed off with the now-famous phrase "Victory or Death."

Only 32 men from the nearby town of Gonzales responded to Travis' call for help, and beginning at 5:30 a.m. on March 6, Mexican forces stormed the Alamo through a gap in the fort's outer wall, killing Travis, Bowie and 190 of their men. Despite the loss of the fort, the Texan troops managed to inflict huge losses on their enemy, killing at least 600 of Santa Ana's men.

The brave defense of the Alamo became a powerful symbol for the Texas revolution, helping the rebels turn the tide in their favor. At the crucial Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 910 Texan soldiers commanded by Sam Houston defeated Santa Ana's army of 1,250 men, spurred on by cries of "Remember the Alamo!" The next day, after Texan forces captured Santa Ana himself, the general issued orders for all Mexican troops to pull back behind the Rio Grande River. On May 14, 1836, Texas officially became an independent republic.

1 posted on 02/24/2009 6:59:23 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer
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To: Former MSM Viewer
This is what arose out of that defeat...never count us out...
2 posted on 02/24/2009 7:01:56 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

This is the San Jacinto Monument for all of you out there that dont know....

This is the site that Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna and the Mexican army, gaining our independence from an oppressive regime. It was on April 21, 1836 - a day that is still celebrated here in Texas and taught to all Texas kids in school.

This is the highest monument in the USA - higher than the Washington Monument.What a beautiful site....I always love seeing it as I drive back into Houston from the east.

One of our favorite state mottos gives fair warning to all who would try: DONT MESS WITH TEXAS

Thanks for posting such a beautiful picture.


3 posted on 02/24/2009 7:02:47 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

Great patriots one and all.


4 posted on 02/24/2009 7:02:54 AM PST by ontap (Just another backstabbing conservative)
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To: Former MSM Viewer
Santa Ana...the general issued orders for all Mexican troops to pull back behind the Rio Grande River.

We could use another Sam Houston to enforce Santa Ana's order of 1836.

5 posted on 02/24/2009 7:05:13 AM PST by FreePaul
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To: Former MSM Viewer

“One of our favorite state mottos gives fair warning to all who would try: DONT MESS WITH TEXAS”

Yes - My coffee cup here in Buffalo, NY warns all:
“DONT MESS WITH TEXAS”

Texan and Proud of it!


6 posted on 02/24/2009 7:05:51 AM PST by RebelTXRose
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To: RebelTXRose

As you remember, that slogan started as an anti-litter campaign and has morphed into something much more significant


7 posted on 02/24/2009 7:07:22 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: RebelTXRose

I just visited the Alamo this past Saturday...still glowing beautifully in the Texas starlight.


8 posted on 02/24/2009 7:10:59 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

Proud to be a native Texan. Born just north of Dallas - Sherman, Texas. Ready to hang the sign on my door - “Gone to Texas.”


9 posted on 02/24/2009 7:17:22 AM PST by Tennessee_Bob (Save the Hispaniolan Solenodon!)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

10 posted on 02/24/2009 7:20:07 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)
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To: Former MSM Viewer
As you remember, that slogan started as an anti-litter campaign and has morphed into something much more significant

I wonder how many people do remember that?

11 posted on 02/24/2009 7:21:16 AM PST by ansel12 ( Am I the only freeper that has been held in an American internment center?)
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To: Tennessee_Bob

“You can go to hell, I’m going to Texas.”

Davy Crockett


12 posted on 02/24/2009 7:21:42 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

13 posted on 02/24/2009 7:21:43 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

Correction...’David’ Crockett...he didn’t like the name Davy.


14 posted on 02/24/2009 7:22:35 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)
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To: Virginia Ridgerunner

But, but...I still hear that song from my childhood, “...Davvvvvy, Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier”


15 posted on 02/24/2009 7:24:24 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

Donovan sings “The Alamo”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-jB0VvhjFg

Lyrics:

180 were challenged by Travis to die
By a line that he drew with his sword as the battle drew nigh
A man that crossed over the line was for glory
And he that was left better fly
And over the line crossed 179
Hey Up Santa Anna, they’re killing your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo

Jim Bowie lay dying, the blood and the sweat in his eyes
But his knife at the ready to take him a few in reply
Young Davy Crocket lay laughing and dying
The blood and the sweat in his eyes
For Texas and freedom a man was more willing to die
Hey Up Santa Anna, they’re killing your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo

A courier came to a battle once bloody and loud
And found only skin and bones where he once left a crowd
Fear not little darling of dying
If this world be sovereign and free
For we’ll fight to the last for as long as liberty be
Hey Up Santa Anna, they’re killing your soldiers below
So the rest of Texas will know
And remember the Alamo


16 posted on 02/24/2009 7:24:53 AM PST by ansel12 ( Am I the only freeper that has been held in an American internment center?)
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To: Former MSM Viewer

Yes! I remember that. I have a handful of stickers from the visitor center.

My coffee cup was brought to the office as a “passive aggressive” move against a person who persecuted me for my NATIONAL origin.


17 posted on 02/24/2009 7:26:09 AM PST by RebelTXRose
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To: ansel12

Davy Crockett Lyrics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nOF4cq6qNc

Born on a mountain top in Tennessee,
Greenest state in the land of the free.
Raised in the woods so’s he knew every tree,
Killed him a bear when he was only three.
Davy, Davy Crockett King of the Wild Frontier.

He fought single handed through the Injun war,
Till the Creeks was whipped and peace was restored.
And while he was handling this risky chore,
Made himself a legend, forevermore.
Davy, Davy Crockett the man who don’t know fear.

When he lost his love, and his grief was gall,
In his heart he wanted to leave it all,
And lose himself in the forest tall,
But he answered instead, his country’s call.
Davy, Davy Crockett, the choice of the whole frontier

He went off to Congress and served a spell
Fixin’ up the government and laws as well.
Took over Washington, so we hear tell,
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell.
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein’ his duty clear. (Serving his country well)

When he come home, his politickin’ done,
The western march had just begun.
So he packed his gear, and his trusty gun
And lit out a grinnin’ to follow the sun.
Davy, Davy Crockett, Leadin the Pioneers.

His land is biggest, and his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He’s ahead of us all in meeting the test
Followin’ his legend right into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the Wide Frontier
King of the Wild Frontier.


18 posted on 02/24/2009 7:28:42 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: RebelTXRose

Way to go...if they only knew more about our great state...


19 posted on 02/24/2009 7:29:41 AM PST by Former MSM Viewer ("We will hunt the terrorists in every dark corner of the earth. We will be relentless." W 2001)
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To: Former MSM Viewer
Ballad of Davy Crockett
20 posted on 02/24/2009 7:30:20 AM PST by Virginia Ridgerunner (Sarah Palin is a smart missile aimed at the heart of the left!)
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