A Clash of Armies Chapter 10 Section 1 The Alamo and Goliad A Clash of Armies Chapter 10 Section 1

A Missed Opportunity Santa Anna furious over Gen. Cós’ surrender Texans waste time with no strong leadership Most volunteers went home after the capture of San Antonio

Texas Forces are Divided Little communication or coordination among units Sam Houston Commander of volunteers and regulars Volunteers refuse to recognize Houston’s authority San Antonio (100 men) Col. James C. Neill Goliad (450 men) Col. James W. Fannin San Patricio (100 men) Col. Frank W. Jonhson Dr. James Grant

Santa Anna Moves North Army of 6,000+ moved over 800 miles in 2 months Most of Mex. Army recruited quickly Untrained and undisciplined Poorly clothed and fed Forced to fight; old guns and equipment Split army in 2 groups Santa Anna heads towards San Antonio with larger group Gen. José Urrea heads toward Goliad

Texans Occupy the Alamo Mission San Antonio de Valero Col. Neill 104 men Asked General Council for guns and troops Col. James Bowie Sent by Houston to determine abandonment Brought 25 men from Goliad James Bowie Reputation gained as a fighter with an “overly-large” knife Came to Texas in 1828 to search for lost Indian silver mine near San Sabá Married daughter of vice governor of Coahuila y Tejas

Travis Arrives at the Alamo Lt. Col. William B. Travis Arrived from San Felipe with 30 men Reinforce Col. Neill David Crockett Arrived from Tennessee with 12 men Claimed to kill 100+ bears in a year Nearly 50 when he arrived Tejanos Risked lives, land, homes, and families Brigido Guerrero, Juan Abamillo, Juan Antonio Badillo, Gregorio Esparza, José Toribio Losoya, Antonio Fuentes, Damacio Jiménez, Carlos Espalier, and Andrés Nava Col. Neill leaves due to family illness Commanders of Alamo Bowie – volunteers Travis – regulars

Texans Defend the Alamo Chapter 10 Section 2 The Alamo and Goliad Texans Defend the Alamo Chapter 10 Section 2

In Defense of the Alamo Travis and Bowie believe Alamo is vital to Texas Texans barely make it to Alamo when Santa Anna arrives in San Antonio – Feb 23rd Alamo strengths Walls 2-3 ft thick; over 12-20 ft high 21 cannons High supply of beef and water Alamo weaknesses South wall incomplete Too large for defense

Travis Declares “Victory of Death” Letter sent out by Travis asking for assistance Alamo symbolizes struggle for independence No help from Fannin or Houston Albert Martin and George C. Kimball come with 32 men from Gonzales Santa Anna flies “red flag” meaning no prisoners James Bonham (messenger) returns knowing he would face death

Facing Certain Death Constantly bombarded by Santa Anna for 13 Days March 5th Travis draw a line with his sword Those who wish to stay and defend the Alamo were asked to cross over Louis “Moses” Rose did not cross Veteran of Napoleonic Wars Thought Alamo was a lost cause “Yellow” Rose of Texas Constantly bombarded by Santa Anna for 13 Days Texans had better long range rifles Santa Anna had more men

Texan Troops Give Ground Santa Anna begins attack on March 6, 1836 between 4-5 a.m. “El Degüello” played (no mercy will be shown) 3 waves of attack Texans successfully fight off 1st and 2nd wave The battle was over by 8 a.m. Historians disagree over number of casualties Santa Anna Texans – over 600 men Mexicans – 70 men Casualties Texans – 182-189 men Mexicans – 1500 men

A Battle Cry for Victory Survivors Ana Salazar de Esparza Juana Navarro de Alsbury Joe Travis (enslaved person) Andrea Castanon Villanueva (nurse to Bowie) Susanna Dickinson and her baby daughter Encouragement Santa Anna lost many professional soldiers Delayed Santa Anna Texans more determined to win “Remember the Alamo” – battle cry at San Jacinto

Defeat in South Texas Chapter 10 Section 3 The Alamo and Goliad Defeat in South Texas Chapter 10 Section 3

Urrea Sweeps Northward to Refugio Advancing through South Texas (with 1000 soldiers) while Santa Anna attacks Alamo Feb. 27, 1836 – San Patricio – defeated 50 Txns under command of Frank W. Johnson March 2, 1836 – Agua Dulce – defeated 30 Txns under command of Dr. James Grant Col. Fannin sent 130 men to assist at Refugio March 13, 1836 – Refugio – defeated Txns under the command of Col. William Ward & Capt. Amon King Rest of retreating Texas army captured at Victoria Loss of lives at San Patricio, Agua Dulce, Refugio, & Victoria a severe blow to Texan efforts

Fannin Delays His Departure Fannin – inabilities to make decisions – hurt Texas cause Decided to help Alamo in Feb. – shortage of transportation caused him to return to Goliad Ordered Mar. 14th by Houston to retreat with 300 men Started retreat Mar. 19th – slowed by oxen pulling heavy cannons Allowed soldiers to rest at Coleto Creek on Mar. 19th Surrounded in an open prairie by Urrea with 500 men Texans had no water and no cover Urrea receives reinforcements on Mar. 20th Fannin surrendered

Texans Surrender Confusion over surrender terms Texans believed that they were prisoners of war and would be treated fairly Surrender agreement in Mexican archives contains no such promise – shows Texans surrendered unconditionally (at the mercy of the Mexican commander) Texans marched back to Goliad and imprisoned in the old presidio

Santa Anna’s “Cruel Necessity” Urrea wrote to Santa Anna requesting that Fannin and his men’s lives be spared Santa Anna ordered the immediate execution of the Texans Feared that if the Texans were released that they would join others in the rebellion Mexican law required the execution of those who “took up arms against the government”.

The Massacre at Goliad Mar. 27th (Palm Sunday) – the Goliad prisoners were divided into 3 groups (100 each) and marched into 3 different directions Prisoners believed that they were on a work detail Mexican troops fired upon the prisoners The wounded (50) were executed in their hospital beds Fannin is the last to be shot Some not executed because of needed skills (doctors and workers) Senora Francita Alavez – wife of Mexican army officer Nursed several wounded Texans at Goliad Helped some Texans avoid execution “Angel of Goliad”

The Lessons of the Alamo and Goliad Early April 1836 - Santa Anna has everything going his way Alamo battle cost Santa Anna: Professional soldiers and officers Delay gave Texans time to train and regroup News inspired the U.S. to assist Texas in their fight – sent more people, supplies, $$ Lessons learned by Texans Do not divided groups Combine volunteer and regular army forces Do not fight on an open prairie/plain – huge advantage for Mexican cavalry