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The Alamo Siege.

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Presentation on theme: "The Alamo Siege."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Alamo Siege

2 Travis Crockett Bowie The Alamo Movie (2004)

3 After the Mexicans arrived on Feb 23rd, they settled into a siege of the Alamo.
They flew a red flag which meant no quarter. (no mercy)

4 Colonel Travis was able to dispatch riders carrying letters informing the Texas provisional government of his situation and requesting assistance. Juan Seguin served as letter carrier slipping past the Mexican lines.

5 COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR, 3 o'clock p. m
COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR, 3 o'clock p.m.: The enemy in large force are in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance. William Barrett Travis

6 Travis also sent riders to Goliad requesting assistance from James Fannin at Goliad:
We have removed all the men to the Alamo where we make such resistance as is due our honor, and that of a country, until we can get assistance from you, which we expect you to forward immediately. In this extremity, we hope you will send us all the men you can spare promptly. We have one hundred and forty six men, who are determined never to retreat. We have but little provisions, but enough to serve us till you and your men arrive. We deem it unnecessary to repeat to a brave officer, who knows his duty, that we call on him for assistance.

7 During the 13 day siege the Mexican army inched closer and closer to the Alamo walls.
They fired cannons at the fort day and night and harassed the defenders by having the Mexican Military band play a song titled “El Degüello” which meant “Slit Throat”.

8 Travis sent his most famous letter on the second day of the siege:
To The People of Texas and All Americans In The World -- February 24, 1836 Fellow citizens & compatriots -- I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man -- The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken -- I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls -- I shall never surrender or retreat. I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, & every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch -- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country -- VICTORY OR DEATH William Barret Travis Lt. Col. Comdt.

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10 By the 24th James Bowie and become extremely sick and was bedridden for the rest of the siege.
Another blow for Travis came on March 1st , reinforcements came from Gonzales but it was only 32 men. He needed much more…

11 “I look to the colonies alone for aid; unless it arrives soon, I shall have to fight the enemy on his own terms." He grew increasingly bitter that his fellow Texans seemed deaf to his appeals. In a letter to a friend, Travis revealed his frustration: "If my countrymen do not rally to my relief, I am determined to perish in the defense of this place, and my bones shall reproach my country for her neglect."

12 The Assault on the Alamo
On March 5th, Santa Anna decided to finally storm the Alamo At 4 a.m. on March 6th, 1836 the Mexican Soldiers lined up outside the Alamo At 5 a.m. four columns of Mexicans attacked on all four sides

13 The Texians put up a noble fight but stood no chance
They were outnumbered more than 4000 to 200 The Battle lasted no more than 90 minutes, every Texian defender was wartorn Sentinels is one of the first Texians to be killed Jim Bowie , too sick to fight , is killed in bed

14 Aftermath of the battle
Not everyone in the Alamo dies. About 20 or so non-combatants: Slaves, women, and children were spared by Santa Anna including Susanna Dickinson and Travis’ slave Joe. Santa Anna told them to tell the Texas Forces about what happened and that it would happen to them as well if they did not surrender

15 The defenders bodies were burned in a huge funeral pyres
After the war, Juan Sequin would return to the Alamo to give them a proper burial. Most Alamo historians believe that Mexicans were killed at The Alamo


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