The Alamo

 

San Antonio, Texas High 64 Low 36

We went to see the Alamo, which I have never seen before. There are a lot of displays about the history that took place there. We thought it might not be too busy today, but there were lots of people visiting even though it was a damp, cold day. Someone told us that it is about 20 degrees colder than normal for this time of year.

The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution. Following a 13-day siege, Mexican troops under President General Antonio López de Santa Anna launched an assault on the Alamo Mission near San Antonio de Béxar (modern-day San Antonio, Texas, United States), killing all of the Texian defenders. Santa Anna's cruelty during the battle inspired many Texians—both Texas settlers and adventurers from the United States—to join the Texian Army. Buoyed by a desire for revenge, the Texians defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, on April 21, 1836, ending the revolution.

Several months previously, Texians had driven all Mexican troops out of Mexican Texas. About 100 Texians were then garrisoned at the Alamo. The Texian force grew slightly with the arrival of reinforcements led by eventual Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William B. Travis. On February 23, approximately 1,500 Mexicans marched into San Antonio de Béxar as the first step in a campaign to retake Texas. For the next 10 days the two armies engaged in several skirmishes with minimal casualties. Aware that his garrison could not withstand an attack by such a large force, Travis wrote multiple letters pleading for more men and supplies, but fewer than 100 reinforcements arrived there.

In the early morning hours of March 6, the Mexican Army advanced on the Alamo. After repulsing two attacks, the Texians were unable to fend off a third attack. As Mexican soldiers scaled the walls, most of the Texian soldiers withdrew into interior buildings. Defenders unable to reach these points were slain by the Mexican cavalry as they attempted to escape. Between five and seven Texians may have surrendered; if so, they were quickly executed. Most eyewitness accounts reported between 182 and 257 Texians dead, while most historians of the Alamo agree that around 600 Mexicans were killed or wounded. Several noncombatants were sent to Gonzales to spread word of the Texian defeat. The news sparked both a strong rush to join the Texian army and a panic, known as "The Runaway Scrape", in which the Texian army, most settlers, and the new Republic of Texas government fled from the advancing Mexican Army.

Inside the Alamo there are plaques honoring the fallen and one plaque to the unknown that dies there. Unfortunately, there was no photography allowed inside. It was an interesting place to see. Cindy liked some of the other buildings there and the grounds.

There is a rather ornate hotel across from the Alamo that caught our eye.

This evening we went to a Mexican Restaurant that has always been busy whenever we passed. The food was reasonably priced and very good. I had tacos, one with beef that had bits of potatoes and carrots in with the hamburger. It was delicious.  Cindy had enchiladas also with the beef and some with chicken. She said hers was also very good.

Thanks for visiting.