JFK+50: Volume 6, No. 1880
San Antonio, Texas (JFK+50) One century and eighty years ago this morning, March 6, 1836, Mexican troops under General Santa Anna stormed the walls of the Alamo compound near San Antonio de Bexar*.
The Alamo was defended by less than 200 Texan rebels led by Col. William B. Travis**, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett.
The Alamo fell on the 13th day of a siege that began in late February. With shouts of "Viva Santa Anna" and music from buglers, the Alamo's walls were penetrated by Mexican troops.
All the Texan defenders were "put to the sword" and then Santa Anna continued his march northward into Texas.
"Remember the Alamo" would become the battle cry of Sam Houston's Texas army which would later defeat Santa Anna at San Jacinto and win the independence of Texas.
*San Antonio de Bexar had been captured by Texan forces in December 1835. The Alamo mission had 21 pieces of artillery and most of them were installed on the walls by chief engineer Green B. Jameson. When Jim Bowie arrived on January 18, 1836, he saw the Alamo as a necessary buffer between the Mexican army and the Texan settlements to the north.
SOURCES
"ALAMO, BATTLE OF THE," Texas State Historical Association, www.tshaonline.org/
"13 Days of Glory," The Alamo: The Shrine of Texas Liberty, www.thealamo.org/
*San Antonio de Bexar had been captured by Texan forces in December 1835. The Alamo mission had 21 pieces of artillery and most of them were installed on the walls by chief engineer Green B. Jameson. When Jim Bowie arrived on January 18, 1836, he saw the Alamo as a necessary buffer between the Mexican army and the Texan settlements to the north.
**William Barrett Travis (1809-1836) was born in South Carolina and studied law in Claiborne, AL. WBT founded the Claiborne Herald & passed the bar in 1829. His law practice foundered and he fell into debt.
WBT left for Texas, joined the rebel forces and commanded forces at the Alamo. He responded to Santa Anna's demand to surrender with a cannon shot. He gave his men the option to attempt escape but only one man took him up on the offer.
SOURCES
"ALAMO, BATTLE OF THE," Texas State Historical Association, www.tshaonline.org/
"13 Days of Glory," The Alamo: The Shrine of Texas Liberty, www.thealamo.org/
