Ch 10 Notes “Remember the Alamo!” & “Remember Goliad!” Created by Mrs. Phillips

Texas Troops During early 1836, Texas failed to organize their army to meet Santa Anna. Many volunteers went home and the army grew smaller and smaller. Those who remained were new arrivals from the United States.

The army was badly divided and when Sam Houston tried to organize and unite the forces, some volunteers refused to recognize his authority.

Movement of the Mexican Army Many of Santa Anna’s troops were untrained and undisciplined, poorly clothed and barely fed. Many had to fight with old muskets and poor equipment and were forced to fight against their will.

Even so, Santa Anna decided to march on in the dead of winter Even so, Santa Anna decided to march on in the dead of winter. He divided his troops, with half under his personal command and half commanded by General Jose Urrea. General Urrea

Texans at the Alamo Texas troops in San Antonio occupied the Old Mission San Antonio de Valero - the “Alamo”. Old Mission San Antonio de Valero “Alamo” means Cottonwood

James Bowie Texan forces at the Alamo included James Bowie, famous on the frontier for his large knife

William B. Travis

He claimed to have killed more than 100 bears in less than a year! David “Davy” Crockett He claimed to have killed more than 100 bears in less than a year!

Davy Crockett, a frontier legend and skilled sharpshooter preferred to serve as a private rather than an officer at the Alamo.

When Colonel Neill left the Alamo because of family illness, Bowie was chosen as commander of the volunteers at the Alamo. Travis became commander of the regular army soldiers. Bowie Travis

Weaknesses of the Alamo The Battle of the Alamo Strengths of the Alamo Walls were 2-3 feet thick and 12 feet high They had 21 cannons including a powerful 18 pounder Lots of food and water Weaknesses of the Alamo One wall was incomplete Mission was so big it was hard to defend Less than 200 volunteers

“Victory or Death” Travis pleaded with the people of Texas, asking for assistance. He wrote letters, one of which became famous.

It said, in part, that if no help came, Travis could “die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country – Victory or Death.” The only help Travis received were 32 volunteers from Gonzales.

painting by Gary Zaboly

When it became obvious that Travis and his men had no chance to survive, legend has it that Travis drew a line in the dirt with his sword. Those who wanted to stay and defend the Alamo were to cross over the line. According to the story, all but one, Louis “Moses” Rose crossed the line. http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/adp/central/forum/forum15.html Louis Moses Rose was a native of France who had come to TX in about 1827. He was a veteran of the Napoleonic wars and saw no need to sacrifice his life for a hopeless cause.

The Final Attack On March 6, 1836, after days of being bombarded by Mexican cannons, Santa Anna’s troops attacked the Alamo. The fighting ended after about an hour and a half. About 189 Texans died, including Bowie, Travis and Crockett. Mexican losses were estimated at 600 but could have been as high as 1,000.

The Survivors Several people did survive the Alamo. Santa Anna released the women and children and 2 people were sent to carry word of the disaster to Gonzales - Suzanna Dickinson and Joe Travis, a slave. One soldier survived by convincing Santa Anna he had been a prisoner and was forced to fight against his will.

Babe of the Alamo It is said that Travis tied his ring about the neck of Susanna Dickinson’s baby, Angelina, in the Alamo chapel shortly before his death.

Significance of the Alamo The Alamo loss actually helped Texas eventually win their freedom. They killed many Mexican soldiers and delayed fighting for more than 2 weeks. The courage of those lost at the Alamo gave Texans the strength and determination to win their freedom. People from the U.S. came to help Texas in their struggle for freedom too.

Refugio Urrea’s army surrounded Refugio. Capt. King asked Fannin to send more troops. Fannin sent Col. Ward and 100 Texans to help. Texans divided their forces. King’s group was killed or captured by Urrea’s men. Col. Ward retreated but lost many men.

James Walker Fannin

Fannin’s Decision Fannin’s indecision hurt the Texas cause. Fannin was going to the aid of the Texans at the Alamo, but a shortage of wagons to transport supplies forced him to turn back to Goliad. Also, when Houston ordered Fannin to retreat to Victoria, he waited to hear the fate of King and Ward. He finally began his retreat on March 19th after skirmishing with Mexican troops.

The Battle of Coleto Fannin made a very slow retreat. He allowed his soldiers to rest and eat. They were surrounded at Coleto Creek by Urrea’s troops. During the attack, Fannin was wounded in the leg. The Texans had little cover and no water to drink. Urrea received reinforcements, and Fannin was forced to surrender.

Terms of Surrender Many Texans believed they would be treated fairly by the Mexicans when they surrendered, but the document they signed stated that Texas surrendered unconditionally. Urrea may have assured Fannin that they would be treated well. However, Fannin and his troops were marched back to Goliad and imprisoned in the old presidio. General Urrea

Santa Anna’s “Cruel Necessity” Santa Anna ordered the execution of the prisoners even though Urrea requested that their lives be spared. On Palm Sunday, March 27th, believing they were going home, the Texans were marched out onto the prairie and shot. It is believed that about 350 Texans were executed.

The Goliad Massacre

General Urrea deeply regretted President Santa Anna’s decision General Urrea deeply regretted President Santa Anna’s decision. He wrote the following in his diary: Urrea Fannin “It was painful to me, also, that so many brave men should thus be sacrificed, particularly the much esteemed and fearless Fannin. They doubtlessly surrendered confident that Mexican generosity would not make their surrender useless. I used my influence with the general-in-chief to save them, if possible, from being butchered, particularly Fannin. I obtained from His Excellency only a severe reply, repeating his previous order, doubtlessly dictated by cruel necessity.”

“Angel of Goliad” Several prisoners, including two physicians and some workers, were not executed because the Mexicans needed their skills. Many of the Mexicans living in Goliad opposed the execution. Some of the Mexican soldiers shot over the heads of the Texans and allowed several to escape. Señora Francita Alavez, the wife of a Mexican army officer, helped care for the Texans during their imprisonment. She also helped several Texans avoid execution. The survivors later referred to her as the "Angel of Goliad."