The Battle Of Alamo

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Table of Contents

Abstract
Background
Literature review. Cause of the war
The course of the war
The aftermath
The significance of the war
Conclusion
References

Abstract

The battle of Alamo is well known for the important personalities that were involved. Among the prominent combatants that personally involved themselves in the war include Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the Mexican president, David Crocket, the Tennessee congressman, James Bowie, the congressman and colonel William Barret Travis who was not known at the time but received a national distinction as one of the best commanders of all time in Alamo.

Texans and Americans as a whole believe that the Alamo war was a sacrifice to the nation by those who were involved. The fairy tale portion of the battle has been portrayed in several popular public shows. These shows have made it difficult to comprehend the true historical events.

This research paper will be exploring the course, the causes and the aftermath of the war. The paper will also explore how the war ended in victory for the Texans and how it affected both the Texan and the American society. The paper will majorly use the literature review to explore the course of the war as well as the causes and the aftermath.

Background

The battle of Alamo is well known for the important personalities that were involved. Among the prominent combatants that personally involved themselves in the war included Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the Mexican president, David Crocket, the Tennessee congressman, James Bowie, the congressman and the colonel William Barret Travis who was not known at the time but received a national distinction as one of the best commanders of all time (Hardin, 1994).

For many Texans as well as the Americans, the battle of Alamo has been one of the secret codes of the nationalistic sacrifice. The fairy tale portion of the battle has been portrayed in several popular public. These shows have made it difficult to comprehend the true historical event.

In order to understand the battle of Alamo, one must concur with its premeditated background in the Texas rebellion. It all started with the capture of several towns from the centralist forces by the Texan federalist immigrant army together with American volunteers and Tejano cronies.

During the siege of Bexar, the Texian, as the Texan federalist immigrant army was known, drove away the centralist forces and took control over San Antonio, Goliad and Gonzalez.

Immediately after this victory, most of the Texan volunteers’ army took advantage of the winter and went back to their families living only a few men back to guard the towns that have been captured (Hardin, 1994). However, the provisional government in place feared that the centralist army may strike back during spring

Literature review. Cause of the war

This war was caused by many factors. The most prominent was differences in ideologies. The Americans were thinking about “manifest destiny” while Mexicans were preoccupied by their pride and expansion. Matters broke loose on 16^th December, 1836 when a small number of armed Texans attacked Nacodoches and declared its independence from Mexico.

They then named the place the Republic of Fredonia (Lord, 1978). This battle was won through the support that the local Indians provided. Mexico was not pleased with the continuing rebellion and sent a huge number of troops to stump down the revolution. This was not to be. Upon hearing that the Mexican forces are coming, the “Fredonians” fled to Louisiana.

The centralist law made it illegal for any other Americans to migrate into Texas. In defiance, many Americans continued to migrate to Texas and offered support to those who were deemed by the Mexican government as the rebels.

But the Texans, mostly federalist immigrants, vowed to free themselves from the centralist’s government (Jenkins, 1973). Their main aim was to annex Texas from Mexico. The formation of the federalist free army further exacerbated the situation. Skirmishes and violence broke out in most towns with the Texan federalist immigrant army taking control of many towns.

However, on April 6, 1830, Mexico made a decree in response to the violence. The decree proscribed additional Americans from immigrating to Texas. In addition, more stringent commercial taxes were also imposed. In 1834, Mexico became under the dictatorship of the General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

This caused more revolt as Texans continued to stand firm against his authority. As agitation continued, prominent Texan figures were being arrested and jailed. One of these was Stephen Austin whose letter advising Texans to form their own state was attained by the Mexican government (Hardin, 1994). Soon after his detention, the war broke out.

The Texan combatants who disguised themselves to be fighting for the reinstatement of democracy in Mexico took control over San Antonio, Goliad and Gonzalez. After capturing these cities, the Texan soldiers broke for the winter holidays leaving only a few men to guard San Antonio (Hardin, 1994).

Unexpectedly, the Mexican dictator General Santa Anna pulled in accompanied with a large troop and forced themselves in San Antonio. This forced the few soldiers that remained to guard San Antonio to retreat to Alamo. Alamo was then a mission next to San Antonio.

With large troop surrounding them, the defendant leader, Colonel William B. Travis, called for reinforcement from the other cities. However, only few soldiers approximated to be 32 from Gonzalez managed to come. With these few soldiers, Colonel Travis now had a total of 187 soldiers in his camp against approximately 2000 men of Santa Anna (Jenkins, 1973).

The 15 inhabitants who were within the Alamo walls comprised of women and children. The most prominent among them was Mrs. Dickinson and her child. Mrs. Dickinson was the wife of Lieutenant Dickinson. Lieutenant Dickinson was among those who died in defense of Alamo.

The Mexican forces laid a siege to the small mission and over and over again assaulted Alamo. But they were kept at bay in every attempt by the Texans (Hardin, 1994). In each attempt, the Mexican general lost quit a number of men. Despite these losses, Santa Anna did not give up.

He pressed on with the assault. During one of these occasions, the Texan colonel, Travis, declared that he will not retreat or give up Alamo. He vowed to die for the sake of his country. In the meantime, Santa Anna continued to pound the mission without success.

The course of the war

In fact, the war took exactly eight days. It began on December 10, 1835, when the Texan free army took control of San Antonio and Alamo. Upon hearing the assault, the centralist army under the command of Santa Anna began their match to bring down the revolt in Texas.

Throughout the day of February 23, 1836, the Mexican army matched to San Antonio and before dawn they arrived. The Texan guards in San Antonio were surprised by their fast movement and upon hearing that Santa Anna was in San Antonio; they retreated to Alamo (Hardin, 1994). The Texans were being commanded by Colonel Travis.

Colonel Travis predicted an assault from Santa Anna and did everything within his powers to defend Alamo. The colonel and few Texan combatants strengthened the walls of Alamo to provide at least a defense against any attack. Though the wall and design of Alamo was built to serve as a mission and not a fortress, Travis and his men had to do anything within their means to defend themselves.

The Alamo walls were thick but not strong enough to block any bombardment. The walls were made of plane stone-works with no support to control any line of the battalion. Within the rectangular wall were four pieces of artillery mounted on the wall facing the main town (Jenkins, 1973).

Similar number was also mounted facing the north while two were mounted on the side of the church. The church was on the south east corner of the rectangular wall. The church building was huge enough to house both the weapon stockpile and the army houses.

The other four artilleries were placed facing the main gate. These artilleries were to defend the gate that overlooks the bridge crossing San Antonio River. Even though Alamo was in full supply of water and food, Travis and his men were in short supply of additional men, ammunition and other provisions.

On reaching Alamo, the centralist commander Santa Anna demanded immediate surrender without any condition. Travis refused to give in and instead fired a short. Santa Anna responded to this by raising red-blood flag over the city (Lord, 1978).

Immediately, bombardment began. The first intentions were to make it slow and harmless to make defenders surrender. This was not to be. Instead, Travis called for help from his fellow country men and compatriots.

Seeing no much progress, Santa Anna personally led a battalion towards the gates of Alamo. The main aim was to erect a battery. Contrary to their expectations, Travis resisted strongly and drove them back. They were later reinforced by another battalion and the fight continued the whole of that afternoon.

At night, the Santa Anna army succeeded and raised their battery but with a greater loss. The success was also due to the protection from the old houses standing between the Alamo gates and the bridge (Lord, 1978).

During the same night, Santa Anna erected several batteries and a Calvary at strategic places surrounding the walls of Alamo. In response, Travis scorched all wooden and straw houses that stood between them and the Santa Ana batteries.

The following day saw small fights between the defenders and the Calvary that was stationed to the east walls of Alamo. During this time, Santa Anna received additional contingent that provided reinforcement. The additional reinforcement increased his guard which he strategically stationed in several places around the walls and in front of the batteries (Hardin, 1994).

Meanwhile, Travis men ventured out for food and water with no loss. At night, they ended up destroying some of the old houses that stood between them and Mexican battery stationed north east of the walls of Alamo.

Throughout this time, the Santa Anna men were constantly bombarding the fort. The effect of this bombardment was too little to pose any threat to the Texans. The Texans even assaulted the battery that was erected on the north east claiming several casualties (Jenkins, 1973).

On the 28^th, the Mexicans managed to put up one more battery in close proximity to the old mill and endeavored to cut the water supply. But they were repulsed by the defendants of the fort. Meanwhile, the defendants were busy making the walls stronger using anything within their means.

It is essential to note that Travis requested for assistance on the 23^rd from Colonel Fannin who was stationed at Goliad. On his letter, Travis made his position that he would not surrender known to Fannin. The message reached Goliad on the 25^th and on the 28^th Fannin began his match to Bexar with four pieces of artillery and three hundred additional men (Lord, 1978).

With a control of 100 combatants, captain Westover was left behind to watch over Goliad. Fannin never went far before one of his wagons broke. Left with only one York of oxen to drive the artillery across the river, he was forced to double his men.

This took them longer than was expected. In addition, the provision he had was not enough to last his men and the forces within Alamo. Prior to his arrival in Alamo, the interim council decided otherwise and he was forced to return to Goliad.

The information concerning the coming of Fannin to Bexar was received by Santa Anna on the same day Fannin began his match. Santa Anna sent Calvary and infantry under the general Sesma to meet and stop him before reaching Alamo (Lord, 1978). This was even before the council of war decided otherwise.

However, the decision by Fannin was reversed before he met the Santa Anna men. Though colonel Fannin was turned back, a contingent of 30 men were safely led into Alamo by Captain John W. Smith. This reinforcement increased the number of Travis men to 187.

During these maneuverings, the offensive against Alamo by Santa Anna continued. But due to lack of ammunition, Texans fired rarely. On the evening, March 1, the Texan defendants struck the abode sheltering Santa Anna by a single twelve pound shot (Hardin, 1994).

Santa Anna maintained heavy bombardment the following day but the Texan would not give up. They maintained their defense as much as they could. On the 3^rd, the Mexicans managed to put up another battery on the north wall within the range of a musket-short.

This was also the same day that Colonel Travis last petitioned the convention president for support. Even this time, he emphasized the non surrender stand. In the letter, Travis clearly expressed his determination and position that he will not surrender any Texan land to the centralist forces (Jenkins, 1973). The skirmishes with the advancing Texans continued as Travis got a message from Fannin that he would not join him.

Firing continued on the following day. On the same day, Santa Anna consulted with his council of war for permission to finally assault Alamo. Meanwhile, Santa Anna sent for twelve more pounders. At the time they arrived, the decision was reached that the final assault should be made. Though the pounders were expected on the 7^th, the decision just after their arrival hastened the final assault.

For over six days, the Texan heroes relentlessly defended Alamo (Hardin, 1994). However, on the eighth day, the Mexican general ordered the remaining troops to capture the mission. In the first two occasions, the Texan soldiers defended the mission and repelled the Mexicans.

Many of the Santa Anna men fell. On the third attempt, the Alamo walls were destroyed. What followed was a hand-to-hand fight using every weapon including knifes, utensils and riffle butts.

Every Texan soldier passionately fought. In an attempt to blow up everyone in Alamo with the gun powder, one of the Texan soldiers was shot (Jenkins, 1973). This shot saved the Mexicans who survived, or else, everyone including Santa Anna would have died in Alamo. Even after relentless fight, all the contagion perished, Colonel Travis included. Those who live to tell the tale were all non combatants.

The aftermath

Though the Texan army consisted of few men, they relentlessly defended their country. In fact, the cost of the war to Texan people was the entire 187 battalion. These men defended Texas against over 2000 men of Santa Anna.

Historians approximate that Santa Anna lost over 1500 men, however, some dispute the number and approximate the Mexican casualties to be a round 600 men.

Seven defendants were thought to have remained but were later executed under the Santa Anna orders (Lord, 1978). This war claimed prominent Americans among them Davy Crocket. These men were respected Texan army colonels.

However, the Mexican triumph was without a price. All the defenders perished with over 1500 Mexican soldiers. For the colonel Travis, his words came to pass; he died for his country (Lord, 1978). He received both victory and death. He emerged victorious simply because he killed large number of Mexican soldiers. This is the war that the Texans will ever remember.

Upheld with victory in Alamo, Santa Anna hurriedly embarked on a combat to annihilate diminutive Texan soldiers in Sam Houston. Fearing the large combat of Santa Anna, the Houston backed away in direction of the US border (Hardin, 1994).

With a contingent of 1400 men, Santa Anna led his army towards San Jacinto and on April 21, 1836, met head on with the Texan army. With the battle of Alamo in mind, the Houston army incarcerated and scattered Santa Anna troops (Jenkins, 1973).

Santa Anna was ultimately captured the following day. The battle of San Jacinto finally secured the Texas independence from Mexico.

The significance of the war

The Alamo battle became significant especially to Texans since it emerged as a symbol of unity against Santa Anna and his forces. At San Jacinto, the Texan forces, though few, defeated mighty Santa Anna simply because of the rallying cry for those who gave up their lives at Alamo.

Critically, the battle of Alamo led to the Texan independence. It was the final battle at San Jacinto that Texans won their independence. One thing led to another, it was this self-determination by the Texans that set the groundwork for their right of entry into the union. It was also entry into the union that led to the war of Mexicans and the United States.

The war annexed the larger part of Mexico that later became the majority of the Western States of USA. The annexation of Mexico came about as a result of the Guadalupe Hidalgo agreement that committed Mexico to give up the claimed territories.

In this way, the battle of Alamo became the root cause of the United States expansion and inclusion of some of the parts that were originally under the dominion of the Mexicans. These places were finally freed from the Mexican authoritative rule.

The battle of Alamo could also be claimed to have led to the civil war. Immediately the union doors were opened for the Texans, an argument broke out. The contestation was whether to consent to the claimed territories into slavery.

The impact of this debate was a civil war. Many Americans and Texans in particular believed that the Alamo war set a stage for the union to become the world power.

Given the fact that the Union did not fall apart into single states, the enormous resources that were drawn from the purchase of Louisiana in 1803, the Oregon question settlement in 1846, the Texas annexation in 1845 and the cessation of the Mexico in 1848 provided enough resources for the union to assert their social, economic and political influence to the rest of the world.

Conclusion

The war fought in Alamo will ever remain in history in both Texas as well as in the whole of America. Indeed, the Alamo war accomplished what every one could not have expected. With a few contingents, the heroic men defended their country which at the end cost their life.

Throughout the eight days siege, these heroes never stopped calling for support from their government. Internal wrangles never allowed for immediate support. These men put their lives at risk for the sake of their country.

However, sacrifice of Travis and his men vivaciously rekindled the need for independence in the Texas and fire up a righteous flame of wrath that plunged the Mexicans at the battle of San Jacinto. The Alamo war will continue to be inspirational occasion in the history of Texas.

Moreover, the war set the stage for what to become today the renowned powerful United States. The defeat of Santa Anna and his forces at San Jacinto led to the independence of Texas. The self-governance gave way to the union which later led to the war between the United States and Mexico. The war resulted into the capture of most of the Mexican territory which later became part of the western states.

The joining of the union by the Texans and other states led to the civil war which made Americans realized the importance of the union. The holding up of the union and the enormous resources gave way for the formation of a stronger union that dominated the world socially, politically and economically. In general, the Alamo war was not only significant to the Texans but also to the Americans.

Even though this battle led to the loss of life to many and in particular the prominent Americans, the gains that the war brought could equally be measures to the blood of those who committed themselves to the freedom of the Texans. Their beliefs and dreams inspired the foundation of the freedom that is today being enjoyed in the whole of the United States.

References

Hardin, S. (1994). Texian iliad: a military history of the Texas revolution, Austin: University of Texas Press.

Jenkins, J. (1973). The papers of the Texas revolution, 1835-1836. Austin: University of Texas Press.

Lord, W. (1978). A time to stand. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press.

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