The Alamo History

 

The Alamo History

Learning history has always been fascinating to me and having visited San Antonio and the site of The Alamo, intrigued me even more as the anniversary of the Alamo battle is upon us. The Alamo is an 18th-century Franciscan mission located in San Antonio, Texas, U.S., and became the iconic battleground for a brave band of fighters seeking Texan independence from Mexico in 1836.

Originally part of Mission San Antonio de Valero, it was abandoned before emerging as "the Alamo," named for nearby cottonwood trees. 

Tensions started In December 1835, when Texan volunteers seized control amid the Texas Revolution and held their ground despite leadership urging retreat.

By February 23, 1836, General Santa Anna led a sizeable Mexican force to besiege the Alamo with estimates ranging from 1,800 to 6,000 men against around 189 defenders commanded by Colonels Bowie and Travis—alongside Davy Crockett! 

For thirteen days they resisted; however, on March 6th Mexicans stormed through a breach in the wall. Tragically wiped out nearly all defenders while suffering heavy losses themselves.

Despite their defeat, Texan defenders transformed the Alamo into a powerful symbol of courageous resistance.

On April 21, 1836, as Houston's troops triumphed over Santa Anna’s forces at San Jacinto, they rallied with cries of “Remember the Alamo!”—a battle cry that inspired U.S. soldiers in the Mexican American War.

After Texas joined the United States in 1845, it became a hub for military troops and supplies. In 1883, Texas acquired ownership of this historic site and has since restored it to honor its legacy. Today, it's managed by the Daughters of Republic of Texas (established in 1891), celebrating Texan pioneers.

In 2015, following its restoration alongside four other Spanish missions and an adjacent ranch in Floresville, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site!

A pivotal clash during the Texas Revolution, fought from February 23 to March 6, 1836, in San Antonio. This fierce confrontation ended with a crushing victory for Mexican forces over Texian volunteers and became a powerful symbol of resistance for Texans and their rallying cry in the Mexican American War. 

The revolution ignited in October 1835 with early Texan triumphs that pushed Mexican troops south by December. However, this momentum waned as General Santa Anna's army marched northward to quell the uprising while many Texas rebels returned home. Small garrisons remained at key locations like San Antonio de Béxar (the Alamo), which was fortified but poorly stocked under command from William Travis and James Bowie.

Surprised on February 23 by Santa Anna’s advance force—ranging anywhere from 1,800 to an astonishing 6,000 men—the Texians defiantly rejected his demand for surrender. A brutal siege ensued; artillery bombardments rocked both sides as tension escalated around the historic mission!

Cold winter conditions plagued both sides, leading to minor skirmishes with few casualties. Texan reinforcements briefly broke through Mexican lines, boosting their numbers. However, the disorganized Texas government failed to send relief.

On March 6, before dawn, four columns of Mexican infantry launched a fierce assault on the Alamo’s walls…

Texans defended valiantly with makeshift cannon and rifle fire but ultimately succumbed after brutal close-quarters combat. The legendary Davy Crockett was among the fallen.

The siege ignited a mass exodus known as the “Runaway Scrape.” Yet upon hearing of Houston's victory at San Jacinto, many returned home—shouting "Remember the Alamo!"

 

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, Gardening, and opinion or history pieces each week. 

History, United States, Kilbride