Remember the Alamo!

It was on this day, March 6th 1836, that the garrison of 150 brave Americans, fighting for their lives, liberties, and families, succumbed, after a twelve day siege, to the vastly superior Mexican army under Santa Anna.

It was in the early morning that Santa Anna ordered his troops to take their battle positions. This was the third attempt of the siege, and Santa Anna had determined to use every man if necessary to crush the rebellious Texicans. The Mexicans were in their positions by 5:00 in the morning under cover of darkness and at 5:30 the general gave the order to advance. The sentries were quickly killed before an alarm was given, but the main garrison was awoken by the excited Mexican shouting. By the time they were able to get to the walls they were already within range of the Mexican muskets. Fierce fighting ensued, but the vastly superior Mexican numbers prevailed, soon gaining the wall and sending the Texicans fleeing into the Alamo and the Long Storehouse.

Unfortunately, the Mexicans gained the wall so fast that the Texicans had no time to spike and disable their cannons, which the Mexicans quickly turned around and began firing on the doors and windows of both buildings. The Mexicans charged and the Texicans offered one last, desperate defense, but were they were soon cut down. Only seventeen combatants survived that day with only a handful of civilians. Personally, Santa Anna thought that the sharp lesson he had shown the Texicans at the Battle of the Alamo would cause any other resistance in Texas to crumble, but it ended up having quite the opposite effect. Men flocked under General Sam Houston's flag and joined the newly-formed Army of Texas with "Remember the Alamo" as their battle cry.

It was less than two months later that, outnumbered 6 to 1, General Houston surprised the Mexican army near the Lynchburg Ferry. The battle was essentially over in 18 minutes as the Mexicans were routed and Santa Anna captured. The once great general was forced to order every solder out of Texas, ending any and all Mexican control over the provence, firmly establishing the new Republic of Texas.

It is hard to comprehend the bravery in the face of death shown by the defenders of the Alamo, but it is possible to get a taste of it. On the first day of the siege, the commanding officer of the garrison, Lt. Col. William Barret Travis sent an open letter by courtier requesting aid and supplies. As you walk in the Alamo today, you can read the text of this letter as it is preserved in a bronze plaque for all to see.

--------------------------------------------------------------

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World:

Fellow citizens & compatriots—I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, 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—Victory or Death.

William Barret Travis

Lt. Col. comdt

P.S. The Lord is on our side—When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn—We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Travis

---------------------------------------------------------------------

May we always keep the bravery and the love of country demonstrated by the defenders of the Alamo in our hearts and our minds and may we not lightly or carelessly surrender the rights and freedoms that were bought with their blood and the blood of countless others, but rather, may we fight and protect them, even unto death.

For God and Country!