The Alamo siege, 1836
How Texan Rebels Repelled Mexican Troops for 13 Days at the Alamo Fort
Date: February 23 to March 6, 1836
Location: San Antonio de Bexar, Texas
Mission: Prevent the Mexican army from taking control of the fortified mission of Fort Alamo.
In early 1836, the disputed territory of Texas became a battleground. Centralist supporters of the Mexican government, which controlled this vast region, often fought alongside Tejanos (Texans of Hispanic origin) seeking increased autonomy — and supporting the federalist cause in Mexico — and Texians (American Texans) who wanted independence.
Fractured Alliances
Eleven days after a rebel force of Texians and Tejanos drove Mexican soldiers out of San Antonio, the small fort of the city’s mission, the Alamo, became garrisoned by 100 soldiers from a detachment of the American army under Colonel James Neill’s command. Small groups of sympathizers quickly came to their aid, including Texas Rangers Colonel James Bowie, who joined on January 19. On February 2, 30 men led by Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis (accompanied by his slave Joe) joined them. “We prefer to die in these trenches than to surrender to the enemy,” declared Bowie and Neill.
After failing to be re-elected to Congress for the fourth time, Davy Crockett from West Tennessee joined Fort Alamo on February 8 with a small troop of 12 men. With Neill away for treatment, 26-year-old cavalry officer Travis and Bowie jointly assumed command of the fort.
Mexican Standoff
Determined to crush the Texan rebellion, Mexican President General Santa Anna led an army of 1,800 men and marched swiftly toward San Antonio de Bexar. Upon his arrival on February 23, Santa Anna immediately laid siege to Fort Alamo.
Travis promptly sent messages seeking aid from the provisional government of Texas. However, even after declaring Texas independence on March 2, this faction-divided government did not send reinforcements. On March 3, Travis wrote, “I am determined to die for the defense of this fort, and my corpse will reproach my country for its neglect.” Seven days into the siege, 32 American volunteers managed to break through Mexican lines and join the Alamo mission, bringing the number of defenders to 189 men, some with women and children. The defenders of the fort were largely outnumbered for a ration of 1:10.
Massacre at the Alamo Mission
On March 6, before dawn, Santa Anna launched a deadly raid, the first of three. The sustained fire from Texian artillery cannons decimated the front ranks of Mexican troops but was not enough to contain them. As one of the few survivors, Susanna Dickinson, recounted, “After placing ladders against the walls of Fort Alamo, the Mexicans climbed the walls, but those who crossed this obstacle were quickly killed or pushed back. The decimated front ranks were immediately replaced by fresh troops from the rear.”
Although wounded by a bayonet thrust, the slave Joe was the only adult male defender to survive the massacre; 600 Mexican soldiers lost their lives. Santa Anna managed to seize control of Fort Alamo. However, six weeks later, the new Texan army routed Santa Anna’s forces at San Jacinto, responding to the rallying cry of their commander-in-chief, General Sam Houston: “Remember Alamo!”
