The Battle of the Alamo was a historic event that took place on February 23, 1836 during the war for Texas' independence from Mexico. In December of 1835, a group The news sparked both a strong rush to join the Texian army and a panic, known as "The Runaway Scrape", in which the Texian army, most settlers, and the government of the new, self-proclaimed but officially unrecognized Republic of Texas fled eastward toward the U.S. ahead of the advancing Mexican Army. The Washington Standard / March 2, 2023. (Myers (1948), pp. Four days later, the delegates at the convention received a dispatch Travis had written March 3 warning of his dire situation. Great call - no matter how different Dune, Last Night in Soho, and The French Dispatch may be, the crossover of movie lovers wanting to see all three films is substantial and would've assuredly hurt all three film's box office numbers. The following year, Santa Anna made his way to Goliad. [45], In the early hours of February 23, residents began fleeing Bxar, fearing the Mexican army's imminent arrival. And now it remains for him to be generous to the vanquished." 252.). (Petite (1999), p. Short Description: The Alamo was the site of a battle that took place during Texas's bid for independence from Mexico: All defenders were killed, but within six weeks the opposition leader, Santa Anna, was captured. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian fighters withdrew into interior buildings. Articles such as this one were acquired and published with the primary aim of expanding the information on Britannica.com with greater speed and efficiency than has traditionally been possible. [90] Most scholars disregard this tale as there is no primary source evidence to support it (the story only surfaced decades after the battle in a third-hand account). Others were ordered to retreat to the fort's church for a last stand, according to Smithsonian Magazine. [60] Late that afternoon, two Mexican scouts became the first fatalities of the siege. The Battle of the Alamo took place in early 1836, during the Texas Revolution. (Todish, According to Francisco Ruiz, possibly the, Cremating bodies was anathema at the time, as most Christians believed that a body could not be resurrected unless it were whole. They were surprised on February 23 when Santa Anna arrived with his advance detachment. The history of the Alamo isn't just about the 13-day 1836 siege (and 90-minute final battle). A blue norther blew in on February 25, dropping the temperature to 39F (4C). Home to The Alamo, the historic River Walk, Fiesta San Antonio, and more! 180 Americans were laid to siege by the Mexican Army consisting of 4000 soldiers led . As the defenders began to realize they were losing the fort, some tried to flee over the east wall but were met by Mexican troops who were stationed to target escapees. He only worked at the School Book Depository for 2 weeks before he supposedly killed Kennedy? Warnell died several months later of wounds incurred either during the final battle or during his escape as a courier. It also became a symbol of fierce resistance for the people of Texas and a rallying cry during the Mexican-American War. Learn how this battle became a rallying cry for Texas independence and what famous historical figures participated in the conflict. Some of these immigrants brought large numbers of slaves with them, so that by 1836, there were about 5,000 enslaved persons in a total non-native population estimated at 38,470. [20] Described by Santa Anna as an "irregular fortification hardly worthy of the name",[20] the Alamo had been designed to withstand an attack by native tribes, not an artillery-equipped army. And while the structure had undergone plenty of modifications by the time Texas and Mexico had their squabble, J.C. Edmondson's The Alamo Story describes how it was mostly a marketplace equipped . [122] In the dark, Mexican soldiers mistook him for an adult and killed him. You. [150] This sparked a mass exodus, known as the Runaway Scrape, and most Texians, including members of the new government, fled east. The Alamo garrison had been under fire for 13 whole days in February 1836 in San Antonio. The Mexican army was taken by surprise, and the Battle of San Jacinto was essentially over after 18 minutes. At dawn on March 6, 1836, the 13th day of the siege, the Battle of the Alamo commenced. Thus the army fled east along with a majority of Texas' citizens who sought refuge in the United States from the incoming Mexican army. That left the Alamo. [146] Alsbury and the other Tejano women were allowed to return to their homes in Bxar; Dickinson, her daughter and Joe were sent to Gonzales, escorted by Ben. [135] His secretary, Ramn Martnez Caro, reported 400 killed. By nine o'clock in the morning of March 6, 1836, the siege of the Alamo was over. Cos rejected the idea. [39] Officers used the long journey to train the men. [108] Others climbed through gun ports in the west wall, which had few occupiers. [71] Throughout the siege these towns had received multiple couriers, dispatched by Travis to plead for reinforcements and supplies. [94][95] Veterans were positioned on the outside of the columns to better control the new recruits and conscripts in the middle. According to the San Jacinto Museum of History, in 1835 Cos agreed to retire to the interior of the Mexican republic under parole of honor, and never again to invade Texas with arms. Despite this, he joined Santa Annas army and led soldiers during the battle in 1836. [54] Both emissaries met with Colonel Juan Almonte and Jos Bartres. Texan Dr. J. H. Barnard who tended the Mexican soldiers reported 300-400 dead and 200-300 wounded. ), Lieutenant Jos Maria Torres is credited with successfully raising the Mexican flag; he was mortally wounded in the process. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). [22] An interior plaza was bordered on the east by the chapel and to the south by a one-story building known as the Low Barracks. According to Alamo.org, the Texians' eventual victory came on April 21, 1836, at the Battle of San Jacinto, when Santa Annas army was resoundingly defeated. A Mexican force of over several thousand men arrived at the Alamo on February 23 and a 13-day long siege ensued. [164][165] The first full-length, non-fiction book covering the battle, John Myers Myers' The Alamo, was published in 1948. The defend. On March 6, 1836, however, the Alamo finally fell. Aware that his garrison could not withstand an attack by such a large force, Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies from Texas and from the United States, but the Texians were reinforced by fewer than a hundred men, because the United States had a treaty with Mexico at the time, and supplying troops and weapons would have been an overt act of war against Mexico. At the time of the Battle of the Alamo, Texas was under Mexican rule, but its leaders sought to become an independent nation. [141], The Texian bodies were stacked and burned. After a volley of fire and a wave of Mexican bayonets, the few remaining Texians in this group fell back towards the church. One man was wounded, and his English curses convinced the occupiers to open the gates. [58][59] On February 26 Travis ordered the artillery to conserve powder and shot. In 19th-century Texas, the Alamo complex gradually became known as a battle site rather than a former mission. Cold winter weather made life difficult for both sides. [26][Note 1], To compensate for the lack of firing ports, Texian engineer Green B. Jameson constructed catwalks to allow defenders to fire over the walls; this method, however, left the rifleman's upper body exposed. [113], The last Texian group to remain in the open were Crockett and his men, defending the low wall in front of the church. The loss of the garrison was felt all over Texas, and even the world. The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 - March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. Fifteen minutes into the battle, they attacked a third time. To be used as a fort. Mexican soldiers turned the cannon towards the barracks. That other answer is from Tucker's new book, 'Exodus from the Alamo,' from some Mexicans' point of view, which shortens it to 40 minutes. Most Texan soldiers were killed, and there were about 1000 to 1600 casualties in the Mexican army. [41] On February 12 they crossed the Rio Grande. Smith never gave orders on this issue. March 6, 2023. This event is so significant in my mind that I always try to devote a column that honors the heroism of these men on or around the anniversary of the occasion. 374.) [89], Legend holds that at some point on March 5, Travis gathered his men and explained that an attack was imminent, and that they were greatly outnumbered by the Mexican Army. The Mexican Army kill all the Alamo's defenders. Santa Anna called himself Napoleon of the West. Wounded, he crawled towards the powder magazine but was killed by a musket ball with his torch only inches from the powder. Texan cannon, loaded with nails, horseshoes, and old iron, fired into the Mexican forces and, together with the rifle fire, repulsed the first assault. The Mexican president was captured the following day and agreed to recognize Texas independence. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexicans marched into San Antonio de Bxar as the first step in a campaign to retake Texas. [24] The two-story Long Barracks extended north from the chapel. Small garrisons were left at several towns, including San Antonio de Bxar (San Antonio), where the Texans occupied a former Spanish mission called the Alamo. [35][36] He transferred command to Travis, the highest-ranking regular army officer in the garrison. For the song, see, "Alamo" and "The Alamo" redirect here. [57][70] Almonte and 800 dragoons were stationed along the road to Goliad. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. [17][18] Santa Anna reiterated this message in a strongly worded letter to United States President Andrew Jackson. [158], In San Antonio de Bxar, the largely Tejano population viewed the Alamo complex as more than just a battle site; it represented decades of assistanceas a mission, a hospital, or a military post. "Fall of the Alamo" was painted by Theodore Gentilz to portray the events of 1836. They hoped to rendezvous with Colonel James Fannin, who was expected to arrive from Goliad with his garrison. [33] Volunteers comprised much of the garrison, and they were unwilling to accept Travis as their leader. He was placed in command of the volunteers during the battle. Of the official list of 189 Texan defenders, all were killed. [Note 16][133], Santa Anna reportedly told Captain Fernando Urizza that the battle "was but a small affair". On March 2, the delegates declared independence, forming the Republic of Texas. The Mexican army eventually overwhelmed the defenders and captured the Alamo, but the Texan rebels' stand against the larger force became a symbolic moment and a rallying cry for the revolutionary movement, according to the Texas State Historical Association (opens in new tab) (TSHA). [168][Note 20] Another film also called The Alamo was released in 2004. A. With Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson. Many people emigrated to Texas from the United States and other countries, searching for land and opportunities after Mexico gained its independence from Spain in 1821. Within Mexico, the battle has often been overshadowed by events from the MexicanAmerican War of 18461848. [128], According to many accounts of the battle, between five and seven Texians surrendered. [124][127], By 6:30 a.m. the battle for the Alamo was over. [34], On February 11, Neill left the Alamo, determined to recruit additional reinforcements and gather supplies. Was the author of the account in a position to observe the details recorded? The first English-language histories of the battle were written and published by Texas Ranger and amateur historian John Henry Brown. [30][Note 2] Four different men claimed to have been given command over the entire army. [36][37][38], As the Texians struggled to find men and supplies, Santa Anna continued to gather men at San Luis Potosi; by the end of 1835, his army numbered 6,019 soldiers. How do the accounts differ from one another in terms of details: for example, whether any of the Alamo's defenders survived the battle, the size of the Mexican army, and the number of deaths . As Santa Anna had anticipated, the exhausted Texians soon fell into the first uninterrupted sleep many of them had since the siege began. How long did Alamo Battle last? Although unconvinced by the reports, Travis stationed a soldier in the San Fernando church bell tower, the highest location in town, to watch for signs of an approaching force. [53][72] The most famous of his missives, written February 24, was addressed To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World. [137] Most Alamo historians place the number of Mexican casualties at 400600. Heres how it works. "Focusing just on 1836 means no one talks about the origins of the mission," says Pluma. [55] Over the next few days, Mexican soldiers established artillery batteries, initially about 1,000 feet (300m) from the south and east walls of the Alamo. [57] During the first week of the siege more than 200 cannonballs landed in the Alamo plaza. It is also considered more faithful to the actual events than other movies. Many points of this story hold true. [151], Despite their losses at the Alamo, the Mexican army in Texas still outnumbered the Texian army by almost six to one. As a result, the battle which took place here was aptly named "The Battle of the Alamo." The Battle of Alamo site is now the number one tourist site in Texas. [110] The Mexican soldiers closest to the north wall realized that the makeshift wall contained many gaps and toeholds. (Edmondson (2000), p. 373), According to Petite, "Every account of the Crockett surrender-execution story comes from an avowed antagonist (either on political or military grounds) of Santa Anna's. They fired once as Mexican infantry broke through the doors and were then killed in hand-to-hand fighting. As of 2023, the Alamo Trust (which operates the site) seeks to expand the property to build an Alamo museum. [5] Within several years, John Wayne directed and starred in one of the best-known, but questionably accurate, film versions, 1960's The Alamo. This Monday, March 6, marks the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo outside of San Antonio, Texas, back in 1836. [43], On February 21, Santa Anna and his vanguard reached the banks of the Medina River, 25 miles (40km) from Bxar. [46] Few arrangements had been made for a potential siege. Potter based his work on interviews with many of the Mexican survivors of the battle. [149] Realizing that the Mexican army would soon advance towards the Texian settlements, Houston advised all civilians in the area to evacuate and ordered his new army to retreat. Deconstruct the myth shrouding the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution. The triumph of conservative forces in the elections unleashed a series of events that culminated on October 23, 1835, under a new constitution, after the repeal of the federalist Constitution of 1824. Tennessee Ernie Ford's "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" spent 16 weeks on the country music charts, peaking at No. [46][Note 8] After learning of the planned celebration, Santa Anna ordered General Joaqun Ramrez y Sesma to immediately seize the unprotected Alamo, but sudden rains halted that raid. [23] A wooden palisade stretched between these two buildings. At first, the Texians matched Mexican artillery fire, often reusing the Mexican cannonballs. Impatient with the delay, on February 27 Travis ordered Samuel G. Bastian to go to Gonzales "to hurry up reinforcements". About 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo. The Battle of the Alamo went down in history as a 13-day siege. Santa Anna's refusal to take prisoners during the battle inspired many Texians and Tejanos to join the Texian Army. 4 in 1955. One of the historical battles was fought on March 6, 1836, at the Alamo, a crumbling fort defended by 154 men. It is true that nearly all of the Texans under arms inside the fort were killed in the March 6, 1836 attack. [143], In an attempt to convince other slaves in Texas to support the Mexican government over the Texian rebellion, Santa Anna spared Travis' slave, Joe. Just six weeks after the fall of the Alamo, Santa Anna's army was attacked by Houston's men and defeated in 18 minutes at the battle of San Jacinto. The Battle of The Alamo took place in 1836 between February 23 and March 6 in present-day San Antonio, Texas.Part of the Texas Revolution of 1835-36, it takes its name from the Alamo Mission where it was fought. In 1836, a small band of soldiers sacrifice their lives in hopeless combat against a massive army in order to prevent a tyrant from smashing the new Republic of Texas. How long did the battle of the Alamo last? When Texan defenders retreated to the adobe barracks buildings for cover, Mexican gunners rolled up cannon and blew down the heavy doors. [8] The border region of Mexican Texas was largely populated by immigrants from the United States, some legal but most illegal. His demand for unconditional surrender was answered with a cannon shot. "Remember the Alamo!" became their rallying cry. [98] As a precaution, 500 Mexican cavalry were positioned around the Alamo to prevent the escape of either Texian or Mexican soldiers. The Texas Revolution was on. The Battle of the Alamo's finale is commemorated on Alamo Day, which takes place on March 6 every year. One of the first to scale the 12-foot (3.7 m) wall was General Juan Amador; at his challenge, his men began swarming up the wall. Motivated by a desire for revenge, as well as their written desire to preserve a border open to immigration and the importation and practice of slavery, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the rebellion in favor of the newly formed Republic of Texas. [109][111][113] As the Mexican cavalry advanced on the group, Almaron Dickinson and his artillery crew turned a cannon around and fired into the cavalry, probably inflicting casualties. [16], The Texians systematically defeated the Mexican troops already stationed in Texas. [145] The day after the battle, he interviewed each noncombatant individually. [21] The complex sprawled across 3 acres (1.2ha), providing almost 1,320 feet (400m) of perimeter to defend. CNN described it as possibly "the most character-driven of all the movies made on the subject". The loss of the garrison was felt all over Texas, and even the world. The Alamo became a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is 2023). [13] By this point, the Texian Army was dominated by very recent arrivals to the region, primarily illegal immigrants from the United States. [25], Although some in the front of the Mexican ranks wavered, soldiers in the rear pushed them on. [132] Historians disagree on which version of Crockett's death is accurate. "Remember the Alamo" redirects here. [13] Determined to quell the rebellion of immigrants, Santa Anna began assembling a large force, the Army of Operations in Texas, to restore order. 4. For 15 minutes after that, soldiers continued to fire into dead bodies. Related: Alamo, San Antonio missions nominated for World Heritage Site. Tavis kept up a steady stream of defensive fire from inside the walls of the Alamo and was able to successfully block Santa Anna's first two charges at the fort. Returning to friendly territory, Cos provided his superior, General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna, with . [119] According to historian Wallace Chariton, the "most popular, and probably the most accurate"[120] version is that Bowie died on his cot, "back braced against the wall, and using his pistols and his famous knife. D. [95] Clouds concealed the moon and thus the movements of the soldiers. Las Siete Leyes (Spanish:[las sjete lees]), or Seven Laws, were a series of constitutional changes that fundamentally altered the organizational structure of Mexico, ending the first federal period and creating a unitary republic, officially the Mexican Republic (Spanish: Repblica Mexicana). Send them to us. [130] Ben, a former United States slave who cooked for one of Santa Anna's officers, maintained that Crockett's body was found surrounded by "no less than sixteen Mexican corpses". [9] These people were accustomed to a federalist government which made special exemptions from Mexican law just for them, and to extensive individual rights including the right to own slaves, and they were quite vocal in their displeasure at Mexico's law enforcement and shift towards centralism. The Texans didn't win at the Battle of the Alamo, but it further motivated them to fight for their independence. General Manuel Castrilln quickly assumed command of Duque's column. In a letter to the people of Texas written during the siege, Travis wrote: "The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion I have answered the demand with a cannon shot and our flag still waves proudly from the walls I shall never surrender or retreat," according to the journal Southwest Review (opens in new tab). The Texas forces had a small number of . bowie knife. ("Don't surrender, boys"). For 13 days, 189 brave and determined patriots withstood Santa Anna's . (Lindley (2003), p. [142] According to a March 28, 1837, article in the Telegraph and Texas Register,[143] Segun buried the coffin under a peach tree grove. 372. [126] Mexican soldiers inspected each corpse, bayoneting any body that moved. Mexican perceptions of the battle often mirrored the prevailing viewpoint. D. 10. 1. NY 10036. Several noncombatants were sent to Gonzales to spread word of the Texian defeat. The battle ended on March 6, 1836, when those who surrendered were executed. [Note 19][135] The only exception was the body of Gregorio Esparza. This event is so significant in my mind that I always try to devote a column that honors the heroism of these men on or around the anniversary of the occasion. [103] Most of the noncombatants gathered in the church sacristy for safety. [105] Unaware of the dangers, the untrained recruits in the ranks "blindly fir[ed] their guns", injuring or killing the troops in front of them. These articles have not yet undergone the rigorous in-house editing or fact-checking and styling process to which most Britannica articles are customarily subjected. The fighting in Bxar raged with a house-to-house assault unlike anything the Mexican army had ever before experienced. 2. For the Alamo's defenders, the only two options were victory or death. 18 pounds. He also served in the army under future President Andrew Jackson during the Creek Indian War, and tales of his adventures during this time formed the basis of plays and novels. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Fragments of uniforms were found in the coffin and the Texian soldiers who fought at the Alamo were known not to wear uniforms. The U.S. It ended in a decisive victory for Mexican forces over Texan volunteers. The Texan families sheltered there were spared by the Mexicans, but any surviving fighters were executed. as they slaughtered fleeing Mexican troops. [25], Mexican soldiers withdrew and regrouped, but their second attack was repulsed. Their column formation allowed only the front rows of soldiers to fire safely. The Republic of Texas began the fight for independence in 1833. The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. 3. Eyewitnesses to the battle gave conflicting accounts of his death. When the Battle of the Alamo took place in 1836, the walls of Mission San Antonio de Valero were 92 years old, according to the National Park Service. [56] A third battery was positioned southeast of the fort. Focus has centered primarily on the Texian occupiers, with little emphasis given to the role of the Tejano soldiers who served in the Texian army or the actions of the Mexican army. 34. [61] At the end of the first day of the siege, Santa Anna's troops were reinforced by 600 men under General Joaquin Ramirez y Sesma, bringing the Mexican army up to more than 2,000 men. If they spare you, save my child, Last words of Texian defender Almaron Dickinson to his wife Susanna as he prepared to defend the chapel. The battle during the assault was over in approximately 90 minutes. [23] At the northern corner of the east wall stood a cattle pen and horse corral. Almonte's journal reported that there was an engagement that night, but that the Mexican troops had repulsed the assault. Cos and his men approached the northwest corner of the Alamo,[98] while Duque led his men from the northwest towards a repaired breach in the Alamo's north wall. Travis became one of the first occupiers to die, shot while firing his shotgun into the soldiers below him, though one source says that he drew his sword and stabbed a Mexican officer who had stormed the wall before succumbing to his injury.