The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 - March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. 3. [12], In October, Texians engaged Mexican troops in the first official battle of the Texas Revolution. (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. [52] When the Mexican troops raised a blood-red flag signifying no quarter, Travis responded with a blast from the Alamo's largest cannon. Mexican perceptions of the battle often mirrored the prevailing viewpoint. Crockett joined the garrison at the Alamo and was praised by Travis for "animating the men to do their duty," according to TSHA. NY 10036. [138] Some historians believe that at least one Texian, Henry Warnell, successfully escaped from the battle. Returning to friendly territory, Cos provided his superior, General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna, with . Santa Anna's cruelty during the Battle of the Alamo inspired many to join the Texas Army. 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. After four failed attacks, some of the Mexican troops climbed over the north wall and opened a door for the rest of the soldiers. With Dennis Quaid, Billy Bob Thornton, Jason Patric, Patrick Wilson. Texan cannon, loaded with nails, horseshoes, and old iron, fired into the Mexican forces and, together with the rifle fire, repulsed the first assault. He was the ninth of ten children. Then he set an example by slaughtering all 342 of them on March 27, 1836. [57] During the first week of the siege more than 200 cannonballs landed in the Alamo plaza. Now It's Time to Correct the Record. Was the author of the account in a position to observe the details recorded? [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. Texas A&M is trying to get back to bowl eligibility after a disastrous season last fall under Jimbo Fisher. [68] Four days later, Texians shot and killed Private First-Class Secundino Alvarez, a soldier from one of two battalions that Santa Anna had stationed on two sides of the Alamo. a dozen of them have come to light over the last 50 years, show that between a . There were not enough mules to transport all of the supplies, and many of the teamsters, all civilians, quit when their pay was delayed. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. as they slaughtered fleeing Mexican troops. After a volley of fire and a wave of Mexican bayonets, the few remaining Texians in this group fell back towards the church. Santa Annas infantry maneuvered closer to the Alamo but were careful to stay outside the range of the Texans rifled muskets. The Battle of the Alamo in 1836 was part of the Texas Revolution in which the Mexican state of Tejas won independence and became a self-governing republic: Texas. [2] Some people, historians, and survivors such as Susanna Dickinson have estimated that over 1,000-1,600 Mexican soldiers were killed and wounded, but it is most likely that total casualties were less than 600. Many did not even have weapons or ammunition to fight with. B. Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, Key Players/Participants: Santa Anna (president of Mexico), William Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie Event Date: March 6, 1836 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. Santa Anna's life was spared, and he was forced to order his troops out of Texas, ending Mexican control of the province and bestowing some legitimacy on the new republic. In the Battle of San Jacinto, Sam Houston and the Texan Army engaged and defeated Santa Anna's Mexican army in a fight that lasted just 18 minutes.After being held for about three weeks as a prisoner of war, Santa Anna signed a peace treaty which dictated . [103] Most of the noncombatants gathered in the church sacristy for safety. After repelling two attacks, the Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. The battle of the Alamo is well documented. [41] On February 12 they crossed the Rio Grande. [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. Specialties: Live at Summit at Salado Creek Apartments in San Antonio! At dawn on March 6, 1836, the 13th day of the siege, the Battle of the Alamo commenced. [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. [83], The arrival of the Mexican reinforcements prompted Travis to send three men, including Davy Crockett, to find Fannin's force, which he still believed to be en route. [76][77] Fannin blamed the retreat on his officers; the officers and enlisted men accused Fannin of aborting the mission. "Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat; the Alamo had none.". [Note 10][80] In the darkness, the Texians fired on the remaining 32 men, whom they assumed were Mexican soldiers. In October 1835, after years of simmering tensions, many Texans, who were then called "Texians," rebelled against Mexico , after the Mexican government became a dictatorship under Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna, wrote Will Fowler, a professor of Latin American studies at the University of St. Andrews in the U.K., in "Santa Anna of Mexico" (opens in new tab) (Bison Books, 2007). [58][59] On February 26 Travis ordered the artillery to conserve powder and shot. [153] The New York Post editorialized that "had [Santa Anna] treated the vanquished with moderation and generosity, it would have been difficult if not impossible to awaken that general sympathy for the people of Texas which now impels so many adventurous and ardent spirits to throng to the aid of their brethren". [51] On learning this, Bowie and Travis mutually agreed to fire the cannon again. For 15 minutes after that, soldiers continued to fire into dead bodies. 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. [63][64] After a two-hour skirmish, the Mexican troops retreated to Bxar. James was born in Logan County, Kentucky, on April 10, 1796, to Rezin Bowie, Sr., and Elve Catesby Jones Bowie. Most Americans, however, are more familiar with the myths and legends spread by many of the movie and television adaptations,[5] including the 1950s Disney miniseries Davy Crockett and John Wayne's 1960 film The Alamo. [21] The complex sprawled across 3 acres (1.2ha), providing almost 1,320 feet (400m) of perimeter to defend. Hypothermia, dysentery, and Comanche raiding parties took a heavy toll on the Mexican soldiers. [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. [137] Most Alamo historians place the number of Mexican casualties at 400600. And as a preseason-top-20 team, it's a necessity for him to keep his job. 1. Women, children and slaves were allowed to live and leave the Alamo. [93], At 10 p.m. on March 5, the Mexican artillery ceased their bombardment. The Battle of the Alamo's finale is commemorated on Alamo Day, which takes place on March 6 every year. [160] In the early 20th century the Texas Legislature purchased the property and appointed the Daughters of the Republic of Texas as permanent caretakers[161] of what is now an official state shrine. [112] The Mexican army now controlled all of the outer walls and the interior of the Alamo compound except for the church and rooms along the east and west walls. May 7, 2022 By Haylee Broyles , BA English Literature The Battle of the Alamo was a battle for Texas independence, wherein Texas sought autonomy and land from Mexico. Susanna Dickinson, the wife of an Alamo occupier, her infant daughter, Angelina, and Joe, a slave of William Barret Travis, were released to tell Sam Houston what had happened. It is not enough to know that he died.We need to know exactly how this legendary American lost his life in one of our nation's most famous battles.Thankfully, there were eyewitnesses. [141], The Texian bodies were stacked and burned. Holes had been carved in the walls to allow the Texians to fire. A Mexican patrol attacked, driving off four of the men including Bastian. As news of the siege spread throughout Texas, potential reinforcements gathered in Gonzales. The Texas Revolution began in October 1835 with a string of Texan victories that drove the Mexican federal forces south of the Rio Grande by December. 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 Battle of Alamo last? Most Texan soldiers were killed, and there were about 1000 to 1600 casualties in the Mexican army. Already suspicious after previous United States attempts to purchase Mexican Texas,[11] Mexican authorities blamed much of the Texian unrest on United States immigrants, most of whom had entered illegally and made little effort to adapt to the Mexican culture and who continued to hold people in slavery when slavery had been abolished in Mexico. Battle of the Alamo Timeline Fact 1: The Texas Revolution began in October 1835 with the Battle of Gonzales. "Remember the Alamo" redirects here. [Note 18][135] Shortly after the battle, Colonel Jos Juan Sanchez Navarro proposed that a monument should be erected to the fallen Mexican soldiers. [Note 19][135] The only exception was the body of Gregorio Esparza. [43], On February 21, Santa Anna and his vanguard reached the banks of the Medina River, 25 miles (40km) from Bxar. They hoped to rendezvous with Colonel James Fannin, who was expected to arrive from Goliad with his garrison. For the song, see, "Alamo" and "The Alamo" redirect here. Santa Anna posted one company east of the Alamo, on the road to Gonzales. The reinforcements brought the number of Mexican soldiers in Bxar to almost 3,100. The Alamo became a National Historic Landmark in 1960 and is The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 - March 6, 1836) was a pivotal e. George Custer was best known for his part in the Battle of the Little Bighorn, which was on June 25 and June 26, 1876, in the Montana boundary. (Estimates of the eventual size of Santa Annas army vary widely, from perhaps 1,800 men to as many as 6,000.) Smith never gave orders on this issue. Mexican generals were unable to stop the bloodlust and appealed to Santa Anna for help. At dawn on March 6, 1836, the 13th day of the siege, the Battle of the Alamo commenced. We want men and provisions. ), Lieutenant Jos Maria Torres is credited with successfully raising the Mexican flag; he was mortally wounded in the process. [92], The last Texian verified to have left the Alamo was James Allen, a courier who carried personal messages from Travis and several of the other men on March 5. It consisted of three one-story adobe buildings, with log palisades enclosing open plaza areas. A. Gen. Martin Perfecto de Cos also participated in the battle. As Santa Anna had anticipated, the exhausted Texians soon fell into the first uninterrupted sleep many of them had since the siege began. ), A week after Neill sent his letter, the Texian provisional legislature impeached, Houston's orders to Bowie were vague, and historians disagree on their intent. "[102] and, as he passed a group of Tejanos, "No rendirse, muchachos!" [49] Other members of the garrison failed to report for duty; most of the men working outside Bxar did not try to sneak past Mexican lines.[50]. [150] This sparked a mass exodus, known as the Runaway Scrape, and most Texians, including members of the new government, fled east. He only worked at the School Book Depository for 2 weeks before he supposedly killed Kennedy? [98] As a precaution, 500 Mexican cavalry were positioned around the Alamo to prevent the escape of either Texian or Mexican soldiers. 2. [58], Two notable events occurred on Wednesday, February 24. The Battle of the Alamo - Matt Doeden 2005-11-01 In graphic novel format, this book tells the story of the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Some witnesses maintained that they saw several Mexican soldiers enter Bowie's room, bayonet him, and carry him alive from the room. [23] A wooden palisade stretched between these two buildings. About 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo. Santa Anna remained in camp with the 400 reserves. [58] Neither army was prepared for the cold temperatures. 21K. [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. [155], On the afternoon of April 21 the Texian army attacked Santa Anna's camp near Lynchburg Ferry. Warnell died several months later of wounds incurred either during the final battle or during his escape as a courier. 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. 3. Home to The Alamo, the historic River Walk, Fiesta San Antonio, and more! 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. 124. 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. Several hours later, Texian scouts reported seeing Mexican troops 1.5 miles (2.4km) outside the town. [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". [39] The army began its march north in late December. [10] The centralized government ended local federal exemptions to the ban on slavery, which had been negotiated by Stephen Austin and others. [135] His secretary, Ramn Martnez Caro, reported 400 killed. [163] According to Bill Groneman's Battlefields of Texas, the Alamo has become "the most popular tourist site in Texas".[162]. [97] The noise woke the Texians. [170] Marty Robbins recorded a version of the song "The Ballad of the Alamo" in 1960 which spent 13 weeks on the pop charts, peaking at No. The first English-language histories of the battle were written and published by Texas Ranger and amateur historian John Henry Brown. [181] The Alamo Trust claims that if the bar owner continues to refuse to sell his property, it will put the $400 million property at stake. [100], At 5:30 a.m. troops silently advanced. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. They were surprised on February 23 when Santa Anna arrived with his advance detachment. 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. His presence is controversial, as he had previously surrendered to the Texan force that captured the Alamo in late 1835. Bowie died there. At the time of the Battle of the Alamo, Texas was under Mexican rule, but its leaders sought to become an independent nation. "[33] Bowie also wrote to the provisional government, asking for "men, money, rifles, and cannon powder". [131] Weeks after the battle, stories circulated that Crockett was among those who surrendered. [61][Note 9] The following morning, 200300 Mexican soldiers crossed the San Antonio River and took cover in abandoned shacks near the Alamo walls. [95] Clouds concealed the moon and thus the movements of the soldiers. [86] Just before daylight on March 4, part of the Texian force broke through Mexican lines and entered the Alamo. Angered, he gave orders that no quarter was to be given, and a 13-day siege began. Heres how it works. . [105] Lacking canister shot, Texians filled their cannon with any metal they could find, including door hinges, nails, and chopped-up horseshoes, essentially turning the cannon into giant shotguns. [139][140], Mexican soldiers were buried in the local cemetery, Campo Santo. Corrections? Those who were unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. [180] To do so, it would have to utilize eminent domain to seize a property containing an Alamo-themed bar called Moses Rose's Hideout (named after an Alamo deserter) that has operated for 12 years (circ. Between 1,800 and 6,000 Mexican soldiers besieged the fort, while the defenders numbered less than 200, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica (opens in new tab). "Fall of the Alamo" was painted by Theodore Gentilz to portray the events of 1836. [57] No Texians were injured.[65]. March 6, 2023. Fighting lasted roughly 90 minutes, and by daybreak all the Defenders had perished, including a former congressman from Tennessee, David Crockett. [95][99] Despite the bitter cold, the soldiers were ordered not to wear overcoats which could impede their movements. Dickinson refused the offer, which was not extended to Juana Navarro Alsbury although her son was of similar age. VICTORY OR DEATH. Nevertheless, all of the escaping Texians were killed. [5] Within several years, John Wayne directed and starred in one of the best-known, but questionably accurate, film versions, 1960's The Alamo. 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. CNN described it as possibly "the most character-driven of all the movies made on the subject". The Low Barracks was 114 feet (35m) long, and the Long Barracks was 186 feet (57m) long and 18 feet (5.5m) wide. 30. 139. Meanwhile, Cos' men gained access to the northwest corner, according to "The Encyclopedia of the Mexican-American War (opens in new tab)" (ABC-CLIO, 2012). Measured against this standard, The Battle of the Alamo is a book with a powerful distinction. [2][3][4] This would represent about one quarter of the over 2,000 Mexican soldiers involved in the final assault, which Todish remarks is "a tremendous casualty rate by any standards". [56] A third battery was positioned southeast of the fort. At some point that day, Bowie collapsed from illness,[60] leaving Travis in sole command of the garrison. June 10, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EDT. The Mexican army under General Antonio Lpez de Santa Anna laid siege on the Alamo to recapture it. And yet it still surprises me that slavery went unexamined for so long." In their new book, Forget the Alamo, . excerpt from William B. Travis's letter "To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World".[69]. 1 review. [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 Alamo was under siege from February 23 until March 6. The defend. It also became a symbol of fierce resistance for the people of Texas and a rallying cry during the Mexican-American War. 2023). [17][18] Santa Anna reiterated this message in a strongly worded letter to United States President Andrew Jackson. Jason Stanford. Battle of the Alamo Timeline Fact 2: The siege started in February 23, 1836 and ended on March 6, 1836. Dickinson's crew fired their cannon from the apse into the Mexican soldiers at the door. 1.9K. They were encouraged to relate the events of the battle, and to inform the remainder of the Texian forces that Santa Anna's army was unbeatable. These Texian reinforcements were later dubbed the Immortal 32. [112], The occupiers in the cattle pen retreated into the horse corral. The Texas Revolution was on. It started on December 1835 when George Collinsworth and Benjamin Milam captured fort El Alamo with the help of volunteers; this now meant that they were in control of San Antonio. (Todish, According to Edmondson, Wolf then ran into the room, grabbed his remaining son, and leaped with the child from the cannon ramp at the rear of the church; both were killed by musket shots before hitting the ground. [128], According to many accounts of the battle, between five and seven Texians surrendered. He boasted to Texian Army commander Sam Houston that the Texians could "whip 10 to 1 with our artillery". When partnered with a smartphone or tablet, the book invites the reader to travel back to 1836 and "step inside" the Alamo to meet the heroes from the most legendary battle in Texas history! During the Battle of the Alamo, thousands of Mexican soldiers besieged a small force of around 180 Texan rebels, who held out in the fort for two weeks. [101], The three Texian sentinels stationed outside the walls were killed in their sleep,[102][103] allowing Mexican soldiers to approach undetected within musket range of the walls. [57][70] Almonte and 800 dragoons were stationed along the road to Goliad. Tennessee Ernie Ford's "The Ballad of Davy Crockett" spent 16 weeks on the country music charts, peaking at No. Their column formation allowed only the front rows of soldiers to fire safely. Potter based his work on interviews with many of the Mexican survivors of the battle. [47] Several members of the garrison who had been living in town brought their families with them when they reported to the Alamo. Occasionally Texan couriers managed to slip out of the surrounded Alamo with pleas from Travis for reinforcements, but the disorganized provisional Texas government was unable to put together any relief force. [117] In the confusion, the Texians had neglected to spike their cannon before retreating. By nine o'clock in the morning of March 6, 1836, the siege of the Alamo was over. [79] According to historian Thomas Ricks Lindley, Bastian encountered the Gonzales Ranging Company led by Lieutenant George C. Kimble and Travis' courier to Gonzales, Albert Martin, who had tired of waiting for Fannin. [40], Progress was slow. Neill soon persuaded Bowie that the location held strategic importance. nascent Republic of Texas has long since become a . Women . Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. [126] Mexican soldiers inspected each corpse, bayoneting any body that moved. The last bastion to fall was the chapel, where a small Texan detachment controlled their last cannon. [75] On February 26, after days of indecision, Fannin ordered 320 men, four cannons, and several supply wagons to march towards the Alamo, 90 miles (140km) away. [Note 16][133], Santa Anna reportedly told Captain Fernando Urizza that the battle "was but a small affair". Four Mexicans were killed before the flag of Mexico was raised in that location. 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. Others were ordered to retreat to the fort's church for a last stand, according to Smithsonian Magazine. [44][45] Unaware of the Mexican Army's proximity, the majority of the Alamo garrison joined Bxar residents at a fiesta. [111] As the Texian occupiers abandoned the north wall and the northern end of the west wall,[108][111] Texian gunners at the south end of the mission turned their cannon towards the north and fired into the advancing Mexican soldiers. The thirteen-day battle for Texas independence was a long struggle for the Texians, known today as the Battle of the Alamo. Regrouping, the Mexican infantry tried again but were driven back. [30], Houston could not spare the number of men necessary to mount a successful defense. 4 in 1955. Sesma was forced to send reinforcements, and the Texians were eventually killed. Wounded, he crawled towards the powder magazine but was killed by a musket ball with his torch only inches from the powder. Nearly all of the Texan defenders were killed during the battle. The battle during the assault was over in approximately 90 minutes. [87] That evening, a local woman, likely Bowie's cousin-in-law Juana Navarro Alsbury, approached Santa Anna to negotiate a surrender for the Alamo occupiers. "[167] The first film version of the battle appeared in 1911, when Gaston Mlis directed The Immortal Alamo. One interpretation is that Bowie's orders were to destroy only the barricades that the Mexican Army had erected around San Antonio de Bxar, and that he should then wait in the Alamo until Governor Henry Smith decided whether the mission should be demolished and the artillery removed. The siege and subsequent Battle of the Alamo lasted for 13 days a lot longer than anybody expected the garrison of the Alamo to survive. [27], The Texian garrison was woefully undermanned and underprovisioned, with fewer than 100 soldiers remaining by January 6, 1836. [51] Travis was angered that Bowie had acted unilaterally and sent his own representative, Captain Albert Martin. Learn how this battle became a rallying cry for Texas independence and what famous historical figures participated in the conflict. [133] In Mexican history, the Texas campaign, including the Battle of the Alamo, was soon overshadowed by the MexicanAmerican War of 18461848. [24] The two-story Long Barracks extended north from the chapel. Singer-songwriter Phil Collins collected hundreds of items related to the battle, narrated a light and sound show about the Alamo, and has spoken at related events. This Monday, March 6, marks the anniversary of the fall of the Alamo outside of San Antonio, Texas, back in 1836. [85] Lindley's research indicates that up to 50 of these men had come from Goliad after Fannin's aborted rescue mission. The Mexican army was taken by surprise, and the Battle of San Jacinto was essentially over after 18 minutes. 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. [85][Note 12], On March 4, the day after his reinforcements arrived, Santa Anna proposed an assault on the Alamo. The spot was not marked and cannot now be identified. 180 Americans were laid to siege by the Mexican Army consisting of 4000 soldiers led . response of Jos Bartres to Texian requests for an honorable surrender, as quoted in the journal of Juan Almonte[51], By late afternoon Bxar was occupied by about 1,500 Mexican soldiers. The fort was retaken by Mexican soldiers and virtually all of . [34], On February 11, Neill left the Alamo, determined to recruit additional reinforcements and gather supplies. One man was wounded, and his English curses convinced the occupiers to open the gates. Two groups of Texans trying to escape were cut down outside the walls by the cavalry posted there. One group of Texians scrambled to herd cattle into the Alamo, while others scrounged for food in the recently abandoned houses. [175] In 2014 Collins donated his entire collection to the Alamo via the State of Texas.[176][177]. [Note 14][124] Possibly the last Texian to die in battle was Jacob Walker,[125] who attempted to hide behind Susannah Dickinson and was bayoneted in front of the women. An estimated 1,000 to 1,600 Mexican soldiers died in the battle. [159] As the English-speaking population increased, the complex became best known for the battle. [126] Another Texian, Brigido Guerrero, also sought refuge in the sacristy. The fighting in Bxar raged with a house-to-house assault unlike anything the Mexican army had ever before experienced. [23] At the northern corner of the east wall stood a cattle pen and horse corral. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. 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). NARRATOR: The battle of the Alamo was a famous fight in the Texas revolutionthe struggle for Texas independence from Mexico. The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces were victorious in . [25], Although some in the front of the Mexican ranks wavered, soldiers in the rear pushed them on. Published on: March 2, 2023. [33] Volunteers comprised much of the garrison, and they were unwilling to accept Travis as their leader. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last." Travis assigned Crockett and the men with him to defend the space between the "low barrack" and the Alamo church on the south side . To be used as a school. 372. [60] Late that afternoon, two Mexican scouts became the first fatalities of the siege. The Battle of the Alamo Lesson for Kids. [147], Within hours of Houston's arrival on March 11, Andres Barcenas and Anselmo Bergaras arrived with news that the Alamo had fallen and all Texians were slain. Many points of this story hold true. This contribution has not yet been formally edited by Britannica. [46] Few arrangements had been made for a potential siege. The Texas Legislature purchased the land and buildings in the early part of the 20th century and designated the Alamo chapel as an official Texas State Shrine. [182] Conversely, the bar owner says that he wishes to participate in the economic success of adding an Alamo museum and that there is a certain unjust irony of seizing his property to expand the Alamo.[183]. After moving to Texas from the U.S. in 1830, he became a colonel in the Federal Army of Texas. That left the Alamo. The Battle of the Alamo went down in history as a 13-day siege.