Remember The Alamo

[Craig Tx]

Today marks the 181st anniversary of the Battle of the Alamo.

Today before dawn the forces of Mexico under the command of Presidente Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna made the final assault on the mission turned fort.  90 minutes later the fighting was done.  All the defenders were either killed, or executed after fighting ceased.

The defenders had no idea that independence had been declared only four days before.

Craig

[Uncle Russ]

Thanks Craig!
Here's a bit more of the same.....





The Fall of the Alamo

181 years ago, March 6, 1836, the Alamo garrison fell, and the fortress that had been a mission became a shrine.

Francisco Antonio Ruiz was the Acalde (mayor) of San Antonio. He was an eyewitness to the events of that day. 

Twenty-four years later, in 1860, Don Poncho (as Ruiz was known), recounted what he had seen for the Texas Almanac.

Below is his account in full. Remember the Alamo!


Fall of the Alamo, and Massacre of Travis and His Brave Associates
by Francisco Antonio Ruiz
Translated by J. A. Quintero

On the 6th of March at 3 a.m. General Santa Anna at the head of 4000 men, advanced against the Alamo. The infantry, artillery and cavalry had formed about 1000 varas from the walls of said fortress.

The Mexican army charged and were twice repulsed by the deadly fire of Travis' artillery, which resembled a constant thunder. At the third charge the Toluca battalion commenced to scale the walls and suffered severely. Out of 800 men, only 130 were left alive.

When the Mexican army had succeeded in entering the walls, I with Political Chief (Jefe Politico) Don Ramon Musquiz, and other members of the corporation, accompanied the curate Don Refugio de la Garza, who, by Santa Anna's orders had assembled during the night, at a temporary fortification erected in Potrero Street, with the object of attending the wounded.

As soon as the storming commenced, we crossed the bridge on Commerce Street with this object in view, and about 100 yards from the same a party of Mexican dragoons fired upon us and compelled us to fall back on the river to the place occupied before.

Half an hour had elapsed when Santa Anna sent one of his aides with an order for us to come before him. He directed me to call upon some of the neighbors to come with carts to carry the dead to the cemetery, and also to accompany him, as he was desirous to have Colonels Travis, Bowie and Crockett shown to him.

On the north battery of the fortress lay the lifeless body of Colonel Travis on the gun carriage shot only in the forehead.

Toward the west in a small fort opposite the city we found the body of Colonel Crockett.

Colonel Bowie was found dead in his bed in one of the rooms of the south side.

Santa Anna, after the Mexicans were taken out, ordered wood to be brought to burn the bodies of the Texans. He sent a company of dragoons with me to bring wood and dry branches from the neighboring forests.

About 3 o'clock in the afternoon of the next day they commenced laying wood and dry branches upon which a file of dead bodies were placed, more wood was piled on them and another file brought, and in this manner all were arranged in layers. Kindling wood was distributed through the pile and at 8 o'clock it was lighted.

The dead Mexicans of Santa Anna's army were taken to the graveyard, but not having sufficient room for them, I ordered some of them to be thrown in the river, which was done on the same day. Santa Anna's loss estimated at 1600 men. These were the flower of his army.

The gallantry of the few Texans who defended the Alamo were really wondered at by the Mexican army. Even the generals were astonished at their vigorous resistance, and how dearly the victory had been bought.

The generals who, under Santa Anna, participated in the storming of the Alamo were Juan Amador, Castrillion Ramirez and Asesma Andrade.

The men burned numbered 182. I was an eye witness, for as Alcalde of San Antonio, I was with some of the neighbors collecting the dead bodies and placing them on the funeral pyre.

(Signed) Francisco Antonio Ruiz

 
Texas Quote
 
"The Alamo isn't a structure now. It is a symbol of valor in the minds of men. It can never fall again."
 
- John M. Myers

Uncle Russ...

[Craig Tx]

Thanks Unca Russ!

Interesting that he didn't mention Cos, who I believe was a general at the time as well as Santa Anna's son-in-law...

Craig

[greyhunter]

Anyone know how many were executed after the battle or were they in truth all killed in the assault?

[Craig Tx]

I'll have to look into it.  Separating fact from myth in Texas history is difficult at best.  Both sides inflated/deflated numbers, and even first hand private accounts of the battle contradict each other, and themselves.

But, it's generally agreed that there were about 185, or so, defenders.  De la Pena, gives the figure of 5 to 6 executed (including Crockett).  There are also accounts of approximately 60 men escaping the mission, and being killed.  Which I would count as a combat death, including some which were trying to surrender.  Unfortunately, it's not very clear.  Since the only survivors were in the church, or other interior buildings, there ins only Mexican accounts.

Bear in mind that the Mexican accounts are all from officers, as most soldados were illiterate.  And, if published, were trying to support Santa Anna, or had an axe to grind with him.  Even the De la Pena account is questioned as a source, as some hold that at least half of the account is a forgery.

I would say, therefore, that the vast majority were combat deaths.  And for the sake of argument I'll call killed while surrendering a combat death as opposed to an execution.

Craig

[Rocklock]

Thanks guys.  Right now I'm about 30 miles North of the Alamo shooting a .40 SMR flintlock. Saturday I demonstrated loading and firing a flinter to a group of young folks from all around Texas before we marched up Congress Avenue to the capital bldg as part or Texas Independence Day.  As the account above I still am amazed at the heroism of less than 200 facing an army of 4,000. Truly awe inspiring as was the whole of th AWI, WWII, and all of our military present and past.

It is right, also, to know that many of the Texians (Anglo Texans) had become Mexican citizens, converted to Catholicism as required  by Mexican law and even married Hispanic brides. The Texas Revolution was against the dictator Santa Anna and his trampling of the Constitution of 1824. The Texicans were joined by many Tejanos or Hispanics who resented Santa Anna's tyranny. Others sympathized but due to threats to self and family did not actively participate. There were at least 2 and maybe 3 signers to the Texas Declaration of Independence with Hispanic sir names.

History lesson cut short due to approaching rain.
TC

[Ohio Joe]

True heroism, no doubt about that at all!