Few battles in American history are as mythologized as The Battle Of The Alamo. And few figures in American history are as mythologized as David “Davy” Crockett.
The story of Crockett and his fellow defenders fighting to their last breath has become part of American lore, one held dear by many. But the truth of The Battle Of The Alamo is far more gruesome and far more terrifying than most fans of history understand.
What began as a weeks-long siege devolved into a brutal hand-to-hand fight, one that ended in the deaths of every single Alamo defender- including Crockett. Hundreds of Mexican soldiers were also killed, men from largely poor backgrounds, driven by a maniacal general- the infamous San Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna- intent on maintaining his reputation.
After the battle, the bodies of the Alamo defenders would be summarily stacked like cordwood and lit on fire, a gruesome reminder to their fellow rebels of the cost of their impudence.
But, though The Battle Of The Alamo had ended in a resounding defeat for the Texians, it would incite a fervor amongst their surviving comrades that would drive them to victory against Santa Anna, and independence from Mexico.
And, though Crockett would perish in the battle, this would be only the beginning of his legend.
One of my favorites and ranks as one of the greatest stories in history, exemplifying American bravery, ingenuity, and resilience in my opinion. I would encourage anyone interested in that time period in Texas/American history to read "13 Days to Glory: The Siege of the Alamo". I find historical stories of early Texas especially interesting (early Spainish involvement, pioneers/settlement, the rebellion, Indian fighting, gunfighters, the cowboy era, etc.). I imagine most of those hearty settlers that braved all sorts of hardships and deprivations to make Texas theirs would blow a gasket if they could see some of the major cities and the shape they are in today, not to mention the liberal enclave Austin. Like a lot of "red" states, Texas has their share of .gov "bought and paid for" voters or "dogs" that would never "bite the hand that feeds them".
ReplyDeleteAnother good one is "Three Roads to the Alamo."
DeleteThanks Joe. I'll check it out soon.
DeleteAn incredible story. Those men were the back bone of America.
ReplyDeleteAs we continue to catch and remove the illegal invaders we have to Remember the Alamo and what those that came before had to go through and gave their lives for.
ReplyDeleteJD
The Alamo is located right smack in the middle of downtown San Antonio, cheek by jowl with the likes of Starbucks and numerous tourist boutiques. The first time I saw it, two decades ago, as the taxi rounded the corner I said to my wife, "Look! They built a replica of the Alamo right here in downtown!" The city is literally built around it.
ReplyDeleteI’m gonna go check it out, very soon…..
DeleteIn the overall scheme of the Texas War for Independence, tha Alamo was insignificant. Santa Anna should have left a group to maintain the seige and continue to prosecute the main Texan group under Sam Houston. Had he done so, the Runaway Scrape and the Battle of San Jacinto would not have occurred.
ReplyDeleteHis inability to control his desire to crush every group of rebels as he came across them cost Mexico the war.
Goliad is another example of his bloodlust. His generals implored him to spare the captured Texans, but he had them all executed.
I'm not a Texan but even I take offense to your statement about the sacrifices at the Alamo as insignificant... Maybe you should word it a better way than you did.
DeleteJD
The Alamo and Goliad became rallying cries and accomplished for the Texas rebels what Malmedy did for the Allies in WW2 but multiplied exponentially. From a strategic POV we could armchair the military significance of Santa Ana bypassing the Alamo or continuing the siege with a smaller force and pushing onward. We will never know for certain. Everyone loves an "underdog" and the siege/battle of the Alamo was truly that sort of story with only a few hundred men (some women, children, and servants) trapped in an isolated "village" surrounded by "thousands" of Mexican soldiers, fighting for their lives. There were six men from a neighboring county here in Alabama who traveled with Crockett and died at the Alamo. The same county, Lawrence, produced a company recruited from the finest local families and bedecked in Red jean uniforms and named the Courtland Red Rovers. Almost all were massacred at Goliad. The book, "Early Settlers of Lawrence County and Alabama" has some good accounts of the events leading up to the honorable surrender of those men/James Fannin and the aftermath. Of course, when Santa Ana arrived, he declared the terms null and void, ordering that the men be marched a mile from town and executed. According to the book, the men were kneeling facing away from the Mexicans and about to be bayoneted when one of the Alabamians stood and said "if they are going to kill us, then stand up, look them in the eye, and die like Americans". That they did. A few of the wounded and Dr. Shackleford of Courtland had been boarded onto a ship where he tended the wounded from both armies. He and one of his wounded sons survived. Two other were killed in the massacre. The saddest part for me is that none of is taught in school today.
Deletehttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Rovers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Shackelford
Not widely known, but Crockett, and several others surrendered. Santa-ana had them all shot. I read this in the biography of Sam Houston.
ReplyDeleteAfter the route that was the battle of San Jacinto, Santa-na was captured in women's clothing, trying to escape. He was never really punished, and lived a fairly long life. Sometimes there's no justice, kinda like the United States anymore....
I live about 4 miles from the San Jacinto Battleground, further down the ship channel is where they captured Santa Ana. The site has a large granite marker, and sits atop the Washburn Tunnel, just to remind El Presidente of the boring his ass got.
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