The Battle of the Alamo 1836: History, Heroes, and Legacy

Background of the Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 is one of the most fascinating and contested historical events on the American continent. Not only are many of the events themselves disputed, but the lives and reputations of individuals such as Davy Crockett are also heatedly debated among historians. Nevertheless, one fact remains incontestable: although the Texians lost, the Battle of the Alamo in 1836 ultimately led to the defeat of the Mexican Army within the Texas Province.

This paper discusses the background of the Alamo, the events that led to the battle in 1836, the important figures involved during and after the battle, and the impact that the battle had on the Mexican Army and the Texas Province. These elements are all significant in showing how an initial defeat is not necessarily the beginning of a final defeat. Indeed, the Battle of the Alamo inspired greatness not only in the individuals who were directly or indirectly involved, but also in the nations affected by them.

The Alamo originated as the Misión San Antonio de Valero. It was constructed as a home for missionaries and Indian converts in 1724 and served in this capacity until 1793. During that year, the five missions were secularized and given to the Indian residents remaining at the time. These residents continued to work on the farms and, as such, formed part of the growing San Antonio community.

At the turn of the century, the Spanish military took over the mission. It was also from this army that the Alamo received its name, after the soldiers' hometown of Alamo de Parras, Coahuila. The mission then became not only a refuge and hospital for soldiers, but also served as the key site of the ten years of struggle for Mexican independence. Indeed, the Alamo served both Revolutionaries and Royalists at the time, and continued to serve all types of military personnel — including Spanish, Rebel, and Mexican — until the Texas Revolution. As such, the Alamo and San Antonio served as key sites during the Revolution, specifically in the period leading up to the 1836 battle.

The battle was preceded by specific political events and forces. Revolts at the time were inspired by the increasingly dictatorial rule of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna. During October 1835, Mexican federalists began to revolt against the President's rule through an armed uprising against the government. In response, Santa Anna assembled his Army of Operations in Texas, comprising recruits from all sectors of society, including convicts. Meanwhile, the Texian army was in the process of systematically defeating the Mexican troops in Texas, resulting in the surrender of General Martín Perfecto de Cos, Santa Anna's brother-in-law, on December 9. At this time, the Texian army comprised mostly recent arrivals in the form of United States adventurers, reinforcing the Mexican view of outside forces attempting to invade their country. This perceived interference further fueled Santa Anna's resolve. He banned the taking of prisoners of war, and foreigners fighting in Texas were summarily executed. Although Santa Anna notified President Andrew Jackson of this policy, the information was not widely distributed to the Texian Army, and most American recruits were unaware of the immediate danger to their lives.

When Texian soldiers established an outpost at the Alamo, the complex stretched across three acres, with an interior plaza featuring a chapel to the west and the Low Barracks to the south. The east was bordered by the Long Barracks, and the north contained a cattle pen. These buildings were surrounded by a wall 2.75 feet thick. Improvements for battle were made by Green B. Jameson, the Texian engineer. The garrison was, however, still greatly undermanned and low on provisions. Fewer than 100 soldiers remained at the Alamo by January 6, 1836.

The Road to Battle

Colonel James C. Neill, the acting commander at the Alamo, requested reinforcements in both troops and supplies, recognizing that the garrison would not be able to withstand an extended siege. There was, however, little organization in the Texian government; one of the central problems was that four different men claimed command over the Texian army.

As a result of these difficulties, James Bowie was sent to the Alamo on January 19 to destroy the complex. A lack of draft animals, however, made it impossible to remove the artillery. In addition, Neill persuaded Bowie of the strategic importance of the location. Upon deciding to remain, Bowie and Neill wrote to Governor Henry Smith, informing him that they would "rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy." Smith then sent William B. Travis, a cavalry officer, to Bexar with a reinforcement of 30 men on February 3, with Davy Crockett arriving five days later.

It was only after the beginning of the siege that approximately 400 further volunteers arrived at the Alamo to help defend the mission against the Mexican army. Throughout the siege, Travis continued to send letters requesting reinforcements. Settlers gathering in Gonzales initially waited for Colonel James Fannin with more reinforcements. Some of these settlers grew impatient and began marching to Bexar on February 27. Travis sent Samuel G. Bastian to Gonzales in search of the reinforcements. On his way, Bastian found the group marching from Gonzales and offered to lead them the rest of the way to the Alamo. Bastian and three other men were, however, driven away by a Mexican attack. When the remaining 32 men reached the Alamo in the dark, the Texians initially assumed them to be Mexican and attacked them. The mistake was corrected only when a wounded soldier was heard cursing in English.

Meanwhile, Fannin attempted to march from Goliad to the Alamo with 320 men and artillery reinforcements. This mission was abandoned for reasons that remain unclear: Fannin claimed that his officers requested the journey be cancelled, while the officers in turn blamed Fannin for the retreat. Some 50 men from Fannin's group once again attempted the march to the Alamo. At Cibolo Creek, they encountered a further group of men also waiting for Fannin. On March 3, Travis sent three men to find Fannin, unaware that the original rescue mission had already been abandoned. The men reached Cibolo Creek just before midnight and found the Texian reinforcements 20 miles from the Alamo. Some of these men managed to break through the Mexican lines toward the Alamo on March 4, while others were driven away.

The Battle of the Alamo, 1836

General Antonio López de Santa Anna and his Mexican army were not without their own difficulties. Having begun preparations for the 1836 siege by the end of the previous year, the Mexican Army of Operations began marching north by the end of December 1835. The army crossed the Rio Grande on February 12, its progress hampered by dwindling rations, record low temperatures, and Comanche raids. The Texian army, however, remained largely unaware of the slow but steady Mexican advance, crippled as it was by a lack of animals and manpower for proper reconnaissance. Although Bexar residents began warning the army that the Mexicans were approaching on February 16, Travis nonetheless dismissed such rumors to the extent that his army celebrated George Washington's birthday on February 22. The Alamo was left unprotected and would have been seized had sudden rains not interrupted the Mexican advance.

Bexar residents fled the town on February 23 in anticipation of the Mexican arrival. The Texian army was taken somewhat by surprise to find Mexican troops a mere 1.5 miles outside Bexar. Unprepared, the soldiers were obliged to gather what cattle and food they could from the abandoned town. The Texians also requested an honorable surrender, the conditions of which the Mexicans rejected in favor of unconditional surrender. Bowie and Travis were in mutual agreement that this was unacceptable. Travis immediately sent couriers to Gonzales and Goliad with urgent requests for additional reinforcements. By that afternoon, approximately 1,500 Mexican troops had occupied Bexar. The siege had begun.

The Mexican army far outnumbered the Texians and were determined to press this advantage: troops were stationed to the north and east of the Alamo to prevent reinforcements from reaching the defenders. The following day saw the arrival of a further 600 Mexican troops, and additional soldiers were stationed on the roads to Gonzales and Goliad. The Mexican army also established artillery batteries to the south, east, and southeast of the fort, which slowly closed in upon the Alamo's walls.

During the first week, the Mexican and Texian armies exchanged fire. On February 24, the first fatal shot was fired at a Mexican scout. Several Mexican soldiers crossed the San Antonio River on February 25, entering abandoned structures close to the Alamo. Texian soldiers burned the huts under covering fire from the Alamo, after which the Mexicans retreated to Bexar. On February 26, Travis ordered conservation of firepower in anticipation of further battle. The Texians burned more huts and exchanged fire with Colonel Juan Bringas. One Texian was killed on this occasion.

On March 3, 1,000 further Mexican troops reinforced Santa Anna's army, bringing it to nearly 2,400 men. Santa Anna began planning a direct assault on the fort on March 4. A visit from a local woman seeking to negotiate a Texian surrender is believed by historians to have increased Santa Anna's impatience. It was decided that the fort would be attacked on March 6. On the evening of March 5, the Mexicans strategically ceased their bombardment of the fort; as planned, the exhausted Texian army fell into a deep sleep.

Planning for the final assault began just after midnight on March 6, and Santa Anna gave the order to advance at 5:30 AM. The Mexican army advanced from all sides, killing three sleeping Texian sentinels outside the walls. The ensuing battle cries finally woke the garrison. William B. Travis was one of the first Texians to die on March 6. Although the Mexican army held a significant numerical advantage, it faced notable tactical disadvantages in its advance. The column formation, for example, meant that untrained recruits often fired poorly and struck those ahead of them. Their tight concentration also presented a favorable target for Texian artillery. The Mexicans, however, soon pressed their numerical advantage. Beginning at the north wall, Mexican soldiers scaled and entered the fort, pursuing retreating Texians and killing most of them. Some of the Texian army fell back to the barracks and chapel to continue the defense. As the Mexican advance consolidated, soldiers replaced the Texian flag with the Mexican one. Complete control of the Alamo was secured within an hour. Bowie, too ill to fight, died in his bed, while the last of the Texian defenders to fall were the eleven men at the cannons in the chapel. Among the last was Jacob Walker, who attempted to shield the women present in the fort.

The Battle of the Alamo was over by 6:30 AM on March 6. In their zeal to ensure that no Texians survived, some Mexican soldiers accidentally killed one another, and several Mexican generals lost control of their troops. Soldiers continued to fire into the dead for 15 minutes after buglers were ordered to sound a retreat.

Conclusion

The examples of Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and Sam Houston demonstrate how men of determination contributed to a proud legacy that began with tragedy. The Battle of the Alamo was therefore not an end, but a beginning. Although it appeared to be a defeat, it was in fact the opening act of victory — one that the Battle of San Jacinto would decisively confirm and that the Republic of Texas would ultimately embody.