The Alamo and GoliadThe Alamo and Goliad

Texans Defend the AlamoTexans Defend the Alamo

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In Defense of the AlamoIn Defense of the Alamo•Bowie and Travis believed that Bowie and Travis believed that

holding the Alamo was vital to the holding the Alamo was vital to the fate of Texas and began to fate of Texas and began to strengthen its defenses. strengthen its defenses.

•Travis was surprised when the Travis was surprised when the advance wing of Santa Anna’s army advance wing of Santa Anna’s army arrived at San Antonio.arrived at San Antonio.

•Texans barely made it inside the Texans barely made it inside the walls of the Alamo before the walls of the Alamo before the Mexican cavalry.Mexican cavalry.

In Defense of the AlamoIn Defense of the Alamo•Alamo advantages:Alamo advantages:

– The walls of the old mission were 2-3 The walls of the old mission were 2-3 feet thick and 12 feet high feet thick and 12 feet high

– 21 cannons 21 cannons fortifiedfortified, or strengthened, , or strengthened, the mission.the mission.

•Alamo weaknesses: Alamo weaknesses: – The wall surrounding the main plaza The wall surrounding the main plaza

was incomplete. A fence of sticks and was incomplete. A fence of sticks and dirt was built to close the gap.dirt was built to close the gap.

– The mission was too large for Travis to The mission was too large for Travis to defend with the few troops he had.defend with the few troops he had.

Travis Declares “Victory or Travis Declares “Victory or Death”Death”

• Travis was determined to hold the Alamo and Travis was determined to hold the Alamo and wrote many letters asking for assistance. wrote many letters asking for assistance.

• In one of his letters he wrote one of the In one of his letters he wrote one of the finest statements of courage in American finest statements of courage in American history, when he wrote “Victory or Death.”history, when he wrote “Victory or Death.”

• On March 1, Travis received 32 volunteer On March 1, Travis received 32 volunteer reinforcements from Gonzales. reinforcements from Gonzales.

• Santa Anna camped at the San Fernando Santa Anna camped at the San Fernando church. He ordered the red flag of “no church. He ordered the red flag of “no quartering” to be flown, meaning he did no quartering” to be flown, meaning he did no intend to take any prisoners in the coming intend to take any prisoners in the coming battle.battle.

Facing certain DeathFacing certain Death• As Mexican armies encircled the Alamo, it As Mexican armies encircled the Alamo, it

became apparent to Travis that he had became apparent to Travis that he had no chance for victory. no chance for victory.

• Travis explained to his troops that Travis explained to his troops that remaining in the Alamo meant certain remaining in the Alamo meant certain death.death.

• According to legend, Travis took his According to legend, Travis took his sword and drew a line on the ground. All sword and drew a line on the ground. All those who wished to stay and defend the those who wished to stay and defend the Alamo were asked to cross over the line. Alamo were asked to cross over the line. According to the story, all but one of the According to the story, all but one of the men crossed over the line. (Louis “Moses” men crossed over the line. (Louis “Moses” Rose, a native of France, stayed).Rose, a native of France, stayed).

Facing Certain DeathFacing Certain Death•Nearly 200 men were free to Nearly 200 men were free to

leave the Alamo, but they leave the Alamo, but they decided to stay and fight for a decided to stay and fight for a cause in which they believed.cause in which they believed.

•Since February, Mexican cannons Since February, Mexican cannons had bombarded, or fired upon, had bombarded, or fired upon, the Alamo daily. the Alamo daily.

•It was clear Santa Anna had most It was clear Santa Anna had most of the advantages. of the advantages.

Texan Troops Give GroundTexan Troops Give Ground• Santa Anna ordered the attack on the Santa Anna ordered the attack on the

Alamo to begin at dawn.Alamo to begin at dawn.

• At about 5:00 am of March 6, the battle At about 5:00 am of March 6, the battle began. began.

• 5 columns of troops moved forward to 5 columns of troops moved forward to attack the Alamo at three different points. attack the Alamo at three different points.

• The Texans put up a stubborn fight, but The Texans put up a stubborn fight, but the 3the 3rdrd assault successfully pushed back assault successfully pushed back the Texans and allowed Santa Anna’s men the Texans and allowed Santa Anna’s men to storm over the walls. to storm over the walls.

• By 8:00 am of March 6 the battle for the By 8:00 am of March 6 the battle for the Alamo was over. Alamo was over.

Texan Troops Give GroundTexan Troops Give Ground•It is not known how many people It is not known how many people

were killed at the Alamo because were killed at the Alamo because all the bodies were burned. all the bodies were burned.

•Bowie, Travis, and Crockett were Bowie, Travis, and Crockett were among those who were killed. among those who were killed.

•Mexican losses in the battle also Mexican losses in the battle also are uncertain. are uncertain.

A Battle Cry for VictoryA Battle Cry for Victory•Santa Anna ordered that all defenders Santa Anna ordered that all defenders

of the Alamo be put to death, but of the Alamo be put to death, but released all women and children.released all women and children.

•Among them were: Ana Salazar de Among them were: Ana Salazar de Esparza, Juana Navarro de Alsbury, Esparza, Juana Navarro de Alsbury, Susanna Dickinson and daughter Susanna Dickinson and daughter Angelina, and Andrea C. Villanueva.Angelina, and Andrea C. Villanueva.

•Some believe Texas would not have Some believe Texas would not have won its independence without the won its independence without the Battle of the Alamo.Battle of the Alamo.

A Battle Cry for VictoryA Battle Cry for Victory•Santa Anna lost many professional Santa Anna lost many professional

soldiers at the battle.soldiers at the battle.

•The courage of Travis and his forces The courage of Travis and his forces made Texans more determined than made Texans more determined than ever to win their independence. ever to win their independence.

•The battle also encouraged U.S. The battle also encouraged U.S. citizens to help.citizens to help.

•““Remember the Alamo!”Remember the Alamo!” became the became the battle cry of Houston’s army.battle cry of Houston’s army.