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Texians Take the Alamo from the Mexicans
The Texians had been attacking the Alamo. San Antonio was in a strategic location, and control of the Alamo would be control of San Antonio. The Texian forces grew through volunteers, and in December they drove the Mexican forces - led by General Martíin Perfecto de Cos - out and took over the Alamo. -
Santa Anna Crosses the Rio Grand
In January, Santa Anna - a war hero in the Mexican fight for independence who had been elected President and then made himself an Emporer - crossed the Rio Grand with 6000 to 7000 troops, determined to crush the rebellion in Texas -
Santa Anna Arrives in San Antonio
On February 13th, Santa Anna's Army begins arriving in San Antonio and at the Alamo. -
Parlay of February 13, 1836
February 23, 1836: Texas defenders parlay with Santa Anna - who offers that they can “surrender with discretion” (Santa Anna would decide their fate later); Defenders refuse (Legend has it Travis answers with a shot from a cannon!). In response to the Texians refusal to surrender, Santa Anna raises the Red Flag - no quarter, no survivors. Part of Santa Anna's strategy was to overwhelm and frighten the Texians into submission by sheer brutality. (See Goliad) -
Travis Writes His Famous Letter Asking For Help
On February 24th, Travis writes his famous letter; “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World.” a passionate plea for aid for the Alamo garrison. The letter ends with “Victory or Death” - the only possible outcomes due to Santa Anna’s Red Flag. -
Last Help Arrives - the Men From Gonzales
On March 1, 1836, 32 men from the town of Gonzales arrived to aid the Alamo. This brought the number of defenders up to almost 200 men. -
Texas Declares Independence on March 2, 1836
On March 2, 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico -
Arrival of James Butler Bonham with Promise of Help
On March 3, 1836, courier James Butler Bonham arrived at the Alamo with word from Robert Williamson informing Travis help was on the way. Unfortunately, it would not arrive in time. -
Travis Draws "the line in the sand"
On March 5, 1836: Travis draws “the line in the sand” with his sword, and asks every man who is willing to die with him to cross the line. All but one French mercenary steps across the line. -
The Battle Begins
On March 6, 1836, the 13th day of the siege, the Battle of the Alamo commenced. The fighting lasted roughly 90 minutes, and by daybreak, all the Defenders had perished, including a former congressman from Tenessee, Davy Crockett. -
The End - and the Survivors
When the smoke cleared on March 6, 1836, Santa Anna had kept his promise. Essentially every defender was dead - the exception being a former Mexican soldier named Brigido Guerrero who convinced the Mexican Army he had been held captive. Of the perhaps 15 survivors, the most famous was Susanna Dickinson, wife of a defender, who had hidden in a small room with her baby daughter, Angelina. Santa Anna sent Susanna and Angelina to Sam Houston carrying a letter of warning intended for Houston.