Texas Tidbits: The Alamo, Victory or Death

We have come to an important moment in the Texas Revolution. The end of the siege of the Alamo is at hand. In less than twenty-four hours, there would be no defenders of the Alamo left alive. The sheer numbers of the Mexican troops alone were overwhelming enough. Combined with exhaustion from very little sleep, mental exhaustion, lack of supplies, etc. and the Texians were no match for much more powerful Mexican forces.

Over the last few days' worth of posts, one could almost feel the tension of the men at the Alamo, as they bravely awaited their fate at the hands of the Mexican Army. As Colonel William B. Travis had so eloquently written in his letter to the American people, ", I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. Victory or Death". 

A recap of this week's posts:

• Time is Not an Ally
• A Nation is Born 
• Texas Independence Day, March 2, 1836 
• The Siege of the Alamo, Day 10   
• The Siege of the Alamo, Day 11 

If you get the time to do so, please try to read all those posts back to back. It's a gripping story of a fledgling Nation, seeking Independence from a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist, leaving no man, woman or child with Freedom or Liberty. However, in the breasts of great men like Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, William B. Travis, James Bowie and all Texans, before and since the Revolution, beat hearts that call for, nay demand Freedom and Liberty, as endowed by God Almighty Himself. Quoting Colonel Travis again, "die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country. Victory or Death". The people of Texas would settle for nothing less than that which is due them by Providence, for they were Texans, people forged of a hotter fire. God bless Texas!

The Battle of the Alamo

The Shrine of Texas Liberty

February 23, 1836 is one of the most important dates in the annals of Texas History. It was on this date 175 years ago that one of the most famous battles ever fought on any land got underway. The Battle of the Alamo had begun. Today, as we recount the events of Febrary 23, 1836, I will forego my usual commentary and allow those who are far more qualified than I to retell the story of the defining moment in Texas History.

We begin with this from Wikipedia : "In the early hours of February 23, residents began fleeing Béxar, fearing the Mexican army's imminent arrival. Although unconvinced by the reports, Travis stationed a soldier in the San Fernando church bell tower—the highest location in town—to watch for signs of an approaching force.^[22] Travis then sent Captain Philip Dimitt and Lieutenant Benjamin Noble to scout for the Mexican Army's location.^[24] At approximately 2:30 that afternoon^[24] the church bell began to ring; the soldier stationed in the tower claimed to have seen flashes in the distance.^[22] Dimitt and Noble had not returned, so Travis sent Dr. James Sutherland^{[Note 3]} and John W. Smith on horseback to scout the area.^[22][24] Smith and Sutherland spotted members of the Mexican cavalry within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the town and returned to Béxar at a run.^"
Wikipedia continues with the story.

Thealamo.org sums it up very nicely with these words:"People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle against impossible odds — a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom. For this reason, the Alamo remains hallowed ground and the Shrine of Texas Liberty."

I can add only six words to all that you've read in this post. Remember the Alamo! God bless Texas!