Priscilla E. Leibel
US Hist 1301
Professor Kennedy
The Alamo
May 4, 2014
Word Count 1073

The Battle of the Alamo is considered one of most important battles in Texas History that occurred February 23, 1836. This battle took place in San Antonio, Texas during the Texas Revolution. The Texas Revolution began in 1835 due to the conflict between the United States immigrants and the Mexican government. The Immigrants were wanting to start their own republic so they decided to revolt against the Mexican government. After several successions, the Texian Army had gained control of the territory, but later lost it at the Battle of Coleto and the Battle of the Alamo. On February 23,1836 Santa Anna and his troops arrived at San Antonio and started planning their attack on the Alamo. This would become one of the most celebrated military battles of Texas. The Alamo was a Spanish Mission that was established in 1718 as church. It became a makeshift fortification for Indians and rebels. Since the Alamo was also centrally located, it became a crossroads for siege and battle. When the Commander of the Alamo, William B. Travis realized that Santa Anna and his Mexican troops had surprised them at the Alamo, he decided to write a letter asking for help from men in Texas communities. Having not seen any help arrive for several days, he finally on day 8 got 32 more volunteers to help them which brought their number to almost 200 volunteer defenders. Also fighting for their territory was Davy Crockett a congressman from Tennessee and frontiersman and Jim Bowie a renown knife fighter. Lt. Col. Travis grew weary waiting for more help to arrive and finally decided that the men needed to know that they would be fighting the battle alone. He said that he feared that no one would come help them. In the movie they depicted Travis drawing a line in the ground and telling the men that they could either stay and fight until death or they could leave and he would feel nothing. Travis told his men:

I'd like to ask each of you what it is you value so highly that you are willing to fight and possibly die for. We will call that Texas. The Mexican army hopes to lure us into attempting escape. Almost anything seems better than remaining in this place, penned up. If, however, we force the enemy to attack, I believe every one of you will prove himself worth ten in return. We will not only show the world what patriots are made of, but we will also deal a crippling blow to the army of Santa Anna. If anyone wishes to depart under the white flag of surrender, you may do so now. You have that right. But if you wish to stay here with me in the Alamo, we will sell our lives dearly.

All the men stayed and fought the battle. On the twelfth day March 5, 1936, Santa Anna decided that he was ready to attack the Alamo. His officers were surprised that he wanted to attack knowing that the defenders were severely outnumbered and they had not gotten relief from anyone. There was no valid justification to attack the Alamo but Santa Anna decided to go on with his plans. Before sunrise on the next day, he surprised the defenders and attacked them during an early morning siege. It is thought that around 1800 Mexican troops advanced towards the Alamo and attacked the complex. The men fought for against the massive Mexican Army and were defeated after ninety minutes. Travis was one of the first to die, and then Bowie followed. While the number of deaths is unknown, it appears to be around 189 defenders dead with the possibility of a final count of 257. There are also estimates of around 600 Mexican men that lost their life that day as well. While there are several movies of the Alamo that have been produced, I watched the latest version that was made in 2004. I feel as if the movie did not show the amazing sacrifice these few hundred men gave to try to save the Alamo. Billy Bob Thorton was Davy Crockett in the film and he probably had the most outstanding performance of the four, but other performances by Dennis Quaid as Sam Houston, Bowie, and Travis were not as engaging. Davy Crockett’s best scene in the movie was when Santa Anna’s band was playing and he said that he knew that the band needed something else. Crockett climbed to the top of one of the battlements and plays his violin. This moment was so powerful and felt as if he was trying to make a truce and make them realize that they should not be engaging in what was to come. The defenders of the Alamo were under the command of both Lt Col Travis and Jim Bowie. While Bowie’s health was beginning to deteriorate rapidly, Travis took complete charge of the men. Bowie is seen in his final scene buttoning his shirt and getting ready to engage in battle with the few hours that he probably has left to live, when several men walk into his room and kill him. This shows the patriotism that Bowie has for his country wanting to fight even until his final moments. While I expected the battle to start quicker, the director managed to get about an hour of scenes until the final battle. It just made the movie drag out too much. The actor that played Santa Anna also did a great job portraying the Mexican General. He was portrayed as a feared man and looked like it as well. The final scene in the Battle of San Jacinto where Sam Houston’s army defeated Santa Anna and his men and Santa Anna was pleading for his life with the result of giving Texas to the Americans. This film relates to history by showing us how determined men decided to take over the land now known as Texas. It was in the midst of the Texas Revolution. The battle shows amazing patriotism by men that were willing to die to fight for the Alamo. It still inspires patriotism today. The film was made to simply tell about a time in History that is so important to Texas. Nine years after the Battle of the Alamo Texas became the 28th state. Remember the Alamo!