The Alamo

This post was previously published in The Chautauqua. Consider it a supplement to the "Davy Crockett" post.

The Alamo (March 15, 2002 Chautauqua)

Well, I’ve written about the mysterious east for three articles. It’s time, I think, to visit an area closer to home.

At the beginning of the year, I spent a week visiting my brother in Texas. One of the many tourist attractions we visited was the Alamo, in San Antonio.

There is not much left of the original site, except for the church, and part of the barracks attached. The grounds have been planted with huge cypress trees, and carefully tended for the tourists that flock to the site.

The Alamo was originally a Spanish mission, founded in 1718. Its purpose was to help convert the Indians to Christianity, and maintain the Empire in North America. The mission lasted until 1793, when it was closed, and the land was distributed among the mission Indians.

What made the Alamo famous was the siege and battle that took place in February-March 1836.

The causes that led to the battle were the tumultuous changes in the government of Mexico. The Spanish were thrown out in 1821 after three hundred years of colonialism. The governments that followed were weak, and quick to change. Settlers were needed to hold the land, and generous terms were offered to any that were willing to come. They had to swear allegiance to Mexico, according to the constitution of 1824.

In the years that followed, the population swelled, but they became disgruntled with the seemingly cavalier treatment of their concerns. They thought they were under-represented in the government, and this led to the belief that their lands and livelihoods were in jeopardy.
A convention met, and independence was declared. A small force of Mexicans were holding the Alamo, and they were attacked and driven out by the Texans. This battle brought the entire Mexican Army, under the dictator Santa Anna, north to retake Texas.

The battle began on February 23rd , and lasted for thirteen days. 189 men held off an army numbering 4000. The final assault took place in the early morning hours of March 6th, with Santa Anna commanding from his headquarters. Lieutenant Colonel William Barret Travis commanded the Texans from a post on the north wall. Legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett commanded a group of Tennessee volunteers near the church. Travis’ co-commander, James Bowie, was ill, and awaited the end in one of the barracks.
On the thirteenth day, at the sound of a bugle, three attacking columns of Mexican infantry moved in simultaneously – with one column attacking near a breach in the north wall; another the area of the chapel; and the third scaling the west barrier. The final assault lasted ninety minutes with every defender dying at his post as room after room “was carried at the point of a bayonet.”
The battle can be counted as one the most dramatic and violent of all time. The rallying cry, “Remember the Alamo!” helped stiffen the defense of Texas, and the main army was able to defeat Santa Anna and win independence for the new nation.

The church has become a shrine, and male visitors are asked to remove their hats while inside. There is a museum, and many displays of the weaponry, the clothing/uniforms, and personalities that contributed to the battle.

A very worthwhile place to visit for any who are in the area.