The Alamo

January 1836 Most Texians thought the war was over. They at least thought they would be safe until the summer. Most of the Texians in the “Army of the People” went back to their homes.

The Texian Army There was around 600 men left in the army. Sam Houston was its leader but had no real power. Soldiers Dr. James Grant and Francis Johnston led about 75 men south into Matamoros on their own to claim land and horses. Col. James McNeil had about 100 men in San Antonio and began fortifying the Alamo. Col. James Fannin commanded around 300 men at La Bahia or as it would be called Goliad. The rest were spread about different cities.

Mexican Army Santa Anna had taken his brother in law Cos’ defeat in San Antonio personally. He raised an army of about 6,000 soldiers and marched north in the dead of winter. It was a terrible winter and it snowed in south Texas and northern Mexico. Santa Anna lost hundreds of men to sickness and exposure but managed to arrive in Texas in February of 1836.

Santa Anna split his army in two Santa Anna split his army in two. General Urrea was to take south Texas while Santa Anna himself to take San Antonio.

San Patrico General Urrea was the first to run into Texas Rebels. 50 Texians led by James Grant were caught by surprise and easily defeated by Urrea near San Patrico. Santa Anna gave Urrea orders to take NO prisoners. He ordered his soldiers to put the Texians to “the sword”.

San Antonio Col. James McNeil of the Texian army was in charge of San Antonio. He requested some cavalry (soldiers on horses) from the provisional government to patrol the area. William Barrett Travis was assigned to go to San Antonio

Travis didn’t want to go at first: He was only able to recruit 29 soldiers and didn’t want to go to the mostly Tejano San Antonio. He wrote the provisional government “I must beg your excellency will recall the order for me to go on to Bexar in command of so few men.”

When Travis arrived on Feb 3rd McNeil told him he was to take charge of the Alamo while McNeil left to attend to his ill family in Gonzales. Meanwhile James Bowie was sent by Houston to the Alamo to destroy it and bring its cannon back to Houston.

San Antonio was Bowie’s home and he decided to stay and defend the Alamo.

Problems with Command Bowie and Travis did not get along. Bowie commanded his volunteer troops while Travis was in command of the Army “Regulars” (Soldiers who signed a commitment to serve)

Santa Anna Arrives Santa Anna’s army arrived 20 days after Travis on Feb the 23rd. The Texians were totally surprised and rushed into the Alamo for safety. Bowie tried to parley (discuss) for good terms of surrender with the Mexican army. This upset Travis who considered himself in charge.

Travis ordered a cannon to be fired at the Mexicans ending any hope of a peaceful ending…

Travis Crockett Bowie The Alamo Movie (2004)