The AlamoThe AlamoCh. 10 Sec 1

David Crockett• Born in Tennesse• Elected to Congress in 1826 where he

opposed President Andrew Jackson on many issues.

• A fictional play based on him called The Lion of the West made him famous.

• Jackson was too powerful however and he lost his 1835 reelection campaign.

• Told the people of Tennessee, “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas!”

• Came to Texas in early 1836 where he joined Travis in San Antonio.

• In 1954 Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier was a hit movie and hit song and Davy Crockett became a hero to millions of coonskin hat wearing children.

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 little power. • Soldiers Dr. James Grant and Francis Johnston led

about 75 men south towards 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. 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.

Houston thought Texas didn’t have enough troops to defend it

• 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 Militia 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 (a discussion between enemies) 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…

• Colonel Travis was able to dispatch riders carrying letters to Houston describing of his situation and requesting assistance.

Juan Seguin and Deaf Smith served as letter carriers and slippedpast the Mexican lines.

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

Travis Crockett Bowie The Alamo (2004)