The Defense of the Alamo

"Thermopylae had it's messenger of defeat: The Alamo had none."

The Alamo in 1836 consisted of this church, the convent and a large rectangular area or plaza, an enclosure of about six acres surrounded by walls with barracks on the West side of the plaza.

On February 23, 1836, Colonel William Barret Travis entered the Alamo with an approximate force of two hundred men. The siege commanded by General Santa Anna and an army of several thousand Mexican soldiers lasted nearly two weeks. At dawn on Sunday, March 6, the final assault was made, and in less than an hour the defenders slain. Later the bodies were burned by order of General Santa Anna.

This victory in defeat was the means of uniting the colonists in a determined effort to resist further oppression and by armed force secure permanent independance.

"It was here that a gallant few, the bravest of the brave, threw themselves between the enemy and the settlements, determined never to surrender nor retreat. They redeemed their pledge to Texas with the forfeit of their lives - They fell the chosen sacrifice to Texas Freedom" - Newell

From an engraved plaque in front of the Alamo...