Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Texas Tidbits: Closing In On Independence

Independence is Near
At this time of year in 1836, events were rapidly taking place as the climax of the Texas Revolution drew near. On February 1, 1836, elections were held across Texas for a convention to select delegates to an Independence Convention. Preparation for military conflicts were also in full swing, as General Santa Ana's Army continued its march towards San Antonio and the inevitable Battle of the Alamo. Texan and American revolutionaries were arriving at the Alamo in an attempt to defend the mission and the city from the Mexicans. Below, you'll see a timeline of the events of the day (from Wikipedia) leading up to the final stand by the Texans at the Alamo.



January 6
Santa Anna arrives at Saltillo.
January 14
January 19
James Bowie and James Bonham arrive at the Alamo with thirty men.
February 1 Elections are held in settlements across Texas for an independence convention.
February 3
William Travis arrives at the Alamo.
February 8
David Crockett arrives at the Alamo.
February 11
Alamo commander J.C. Neill leaves the Alamo due to a family illness. He appoints Travis commander.
February 13
  • Santa Anna and his army reach the city of Guerrero.
  • Travis and Bowie agree upon joint command of the Alamo's forces.
February 16
Santa Anna crosses the Rio Grande.
February 17
Travis sends out letters pleading for men and supplies.
February 21
Santa Anna arrives at the Medina River.
February 22
February 23
Santa Anna enters San Antonio. The Alamo comes under artillery fire from Mexican troops.
February 24
February 25
Fannin, commander of troops at Goliad, receives Travis' plea for aid.
February 26
James Fannin attempts his relief march to the Alamo but turns back.

I want to stop right there for today and pick it up again tomorrow with some of the other things that were reaching critical mass in the Texas Revolution. Still to come are the fall of the Alamo, the Runaway Scrape and the eighteen minutes that changed the course of history of Texas, Mexico and the United States.

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All Original Material © Toby Shoemaker