(These photos were all shot by me.  I take full responsibility for their flaws, but perhaps they will suffice to give the story a bit more meaning.)

My shot of the front of the Alamo....Notice that the stone is beginning to deteriorate.  It is a concern for the preservationists.   All that remains of the original structure is the chapel, part of the wall built by the soldiers, and the soldiers' quarters.  Inside are a number of artifacts from Texas history,. a gift shop with more artifacts, and a library.  No cars are allowed because the area in front of the Alamo is an Indian burial ground.   No photos are allowed inside the Alamo, as it is also hallowed ground.

The north wall and the soldiers' quarters, part of the Alamo still extant. The Alamo was originally a large compound.  Today, all that remains is the original chapel and the long barrack.  When you enter, you will be struck by the quietness of the structure.  It retains a chapel-like atmosphere in spite of the hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The Alamo operates under the care of the Daughters of the Rupublic of Texas, a conservation group that protects and guards the mission as fiercely, many say, as did the Texian troops over a century and a half ago. 

HOW THE ALAMO GOT ITS NAME:

The mission, known as San Antonio de Valera, was closed in 1793, and the buildings began to fall into ruin.  Troops from San Jose y Santiago del Alamo  Parras in northern Mexico converted the mission into a fort in 1801 and the structure took the name of the troops' hometown.  Since that was quite a mouthful, the name was later shortened to "El Alamo." Interestingly,  the word, "Alamo" means "cottonwood."

THE BATTLE AT THE ALAMO:

The story of The Alamo is one taught to every young Texan.  It is the account of how 200 brave volunteers faced nearly 10 times as many Mexican troops in a battle that was predetermined.

To further the cause of Texas independence, they gave their lives but won a place in the history of the Lone Star State.

The Battle of the Alamo was preceded  by battles in Gonzales, Goliad, and San Antonio itself.  Mexican troops led by General Martin Perfecto de Gos had taken refuge in The Alameo and surrendered in early December.  The surrender of The Alamo angered Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, and he vowed to get rid of the Anglos as well as to punish the Tejanos, the Mexicans living in Texas who had taken part in the conflict.

After the surrender of General Cos, the Texas Army floundered for many months, and its numbers dwindled.  

Simultaneously, Santa Anna was rallying the troops in Mexico City, preparing for the long journey to San Antonio.

Some  Texas troops still occupied The Alamo, joined by volunteers such as Davy Crockett from Tennessee--in all about 200 men.  The troops believed they would be joined by reinforcements before Santa Anna arrived, but they were wrong.  

Santa Anna's advance troops first arrived in San Antonio on February 23, 1836.  The Texas Revolutionaries, along with their families, scrambled inside the fort with cattle and supplies that General Travis thought could sustain them until help arrived.

Travis quickly made another appeal for more troops, knowing that the brunt of Santa Anna's army was only two days away.  On March 3, when help failed to arrive, Travis supposedly drew a line in the earth with his sword.  All men who wanted to stay and fight for Texas' independence from Mexico were to cross the line, even though they knew they were vastly outnumbered.  Only one man did not cross the line.

Santa Anna's army rode in under a red flag, meaning that no prisoners would be spared, nor did the Texans expect any less.  The battle began with bombardments from Mexican cannons, but the real surge took place at 5:30 a.m. on March 6.

As many as 1800  Mexican troops stormed the walls of the fort, fighting first with guns and later hand-to-hand as they progressed into the fort.  By 7:00 a.m. the battle was over.  All the Texas revolutionaries died or were executed, but the Mexican troops allowed some women and a slave of General Travis' to live.

The most famous survivors were Suzanna Dickinson and her daughter , Angelina, the survivors of an Alamo soldier, who were left to spread the word, and spread it they did!!

"Remember The Alamo" became the battle cry of the Texas Revolutionaries.  Months later The Texans defeated Santa Anna and his army at the Battle of San Jacinto, and Texas became an independent Republic.

THE ALAMO CENOTAPH:

Directly in front of The Alamo stands  this cenotaph, a granite monument erected in 1939  by the Texas Centennial Commission to remember the men, women, and children who died there on March 6, 1836.  Each of their names is engraved on it.  It was sculpted by Pompeii Coppini, a native Italian and adopted Texan.

(My thanks to travel writers, Paris Perimeter and John Bigley for the historical data.  If you are planning a trip to the area, their book SAN ANTONIO contains everything you need to know, including  reviews of hotels, restaurants, historical data, maps and much, much more. )

 


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