Atlas of Hispanic-American History

Led by William Travis (1809–1836),

a South Carolina lawyer who came to

Texas in about 1832, the tiny force in the

Alamo also included pioneer James Bowie

(ca. 1796–1836), who had come to Texas

in 1828, and Tennessee frontiersman and

politician Davy Crockett (1786–1836),

who had come to aid the rebels in the

Texan War of Independence. During the

siege, 32 other men joined the defenders,

bringing the total force to about 182.

Some Tejanos were in the Alamo, includ-

ing San Antonio colonel Juan Seguín, as

was a company of “New Orleans Grays”

from Louisiana.

Upon arriving, Santa Anna sur-

rounded the Alamo and raised the red

flag, the sign of “no quarter,” indicating

that the Texans must surrender immedi-

ately or die upon being captured. The

Texans replied with cannon fire. Santa

Anna besieged and bombarded the Alamo

for 13 days, then attacked. On March 6,

his forces broke through a ferocious

defense and captured the Alamo. All 182

Texan soldiers were killed, either in battle

or after capture. Only women, children,

and slaves in the mission were spared.

Santa Anna had won the battle but

lost the war. Word of the Anglo stand at

the Alamo reinforced Texan zeal and

earned Santa Anna the reputation of

butcher, as did his massacre of Texan

86 ATLAS OF HISPANIC-AMERICAN HISTORY

The Alamo (Library of Congress)

The Mexican Attack on the Alamo, February 23–March 6, 1836

Arrows on the map above illustrate the path of Mexican forces as they scaled the fort’s walls during their final assault on the Alamo.

Texan defenders, not shown, were stationed throughout all areas of the fort, and most died where they fought.