Chapter 10The Alamo and

GoliadCornell Notes

Section 1: A Clash of Armies

A Missed Opportunity 

 

Santa Anna Moves North

While Santa Anna was on his way to Texas. Texans did not use their Time wisely. They drifted without: Strong Leadership

Most who remained were new arrivals form the United states. They came to Texas for…1. To obtain the land promised by the Texas

government2. Their Strong belief in Liberty3. Spirit of Adventure.

Santa Anna’s Army:4. 6,000 soldiers5. Part had been recruited quickly6. New troops were poorly clothed and fed.7. had to fight with old muskets and poor

equipment 8. Forced to fight, against their will

Section 1: A Clash of Armies

 

Texans Occupy the Alamo 

Travis Arrives at the Alamo

(remember on February 23, Texans had moved into the Alamo when Santa Anna came into town)

Colonel Neill had 104 soldiersSam Houston ordered Colonel James Bowie and about 25 Texas in Goliad to the Alamo

Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis and about 30 soldiers from San Felipe joined the Alamo.

Colonel Neill left the AlamoBowie became the commander of the volunteers.Travis became the commander of the Regular Army

Bowie became ill and passes command of the Alamo to Travis.

Section 2: Texans Defend the Alamo

In Defense of the Alamo 

Travis Declares “Victory or Death”  

Strengths of the Alamo:1. Walls were 2 to 3 feet thick and 12 feet high2. 21 Cannons3. Supplies of beef and corn were high4. Sufficient Water

Weaknesses of the Alamo:5. Some walls were incomplete- Gap in the

south wall6. too Large

On February 24th, 1836 Travis wrote a letter to: To all the people of Texas and all Americans in the World- Fellow Citizens and Compatriots

In the letter Travis States:“ I will never Surrender or retreat”

Santa Anna made his headquarters at San Fernando Church.

Section 2: Texans Defend the Alamo

 Facing Certain Death 

Texans Troops Give Ground 

A Battle Cry for Victory

On March 5, Travis explained to his troops that : remaining at the Alamo meant certain death.

Travis drew: a line in the sand and asked all those who wished to stay to cross over the line.

Battle started on: March 6th at 5:00 amFirst wave: riddled by cannon and rifle fire.Second wave: same as first Third wave: Mexican Successfully pushed back the Texans and stormed over the walls.

By 8:00 am: the battle was over.

Santa Anna hoped: the fall of the Alamo would convince other Texans that it was useless to resist his armies.Texans were: inspired to carry on the struggle for freedom.

Section 3: Defeat in South Texas

Urrea Sweeps Northward to Regugio Fannin Delays His Departure 

  

At San Patricio on February 27, 1836, Urrea destroyed a force of 50 Texans under Frank W. Johnson’s command.

Fannin was the Commander of the Texas troops at GoliadHis inability to make a decision and stick to it hurt the Texas cause. *****in February, Fannin had decided to help Travis at the Alamo but a shortage of wagons for transporting supplies caused him to return to Goliad.

On March 14: Fannin received orders from General Houston to retreat towards VictoraFannin moves his troops on :March 19th

They were slower than they thought…

Section 3: Defeat in South Texas

 Fannin Delays his Departure (cont)

Fannin allowed his soldiers to rest 3 miles from Coleto Creek

Suddenly the Texas were surrounded by Urrea’s troopsFannin- 300 menUrrea- 300-500 men

Fannin assembled his soldiers in a square.Mexicans charged three times. But each time, they were driven back.

Both sides spend the night: strengthening their positions.

Texans had1. Little cover and no water2. Believed reinforcements were coming3. Their spirits remained high.

After a brief exchange of gunfire Fannin: asked Urrea for the terms of surrender.

Section 3: Defeat in South Texas

Texans Surrender

Santa Anna’s “Cruel Necessity” 

Lessons of the Alamo and Goliad

Texans believed :they were prisoners of war and would be treated fairly by their captors.

Urrea wrote to the President Santa Anna requesting: that the lives of the prisoner be spared.

Santa Anna’s reply: ordered the immediate execution of the Texans. ***** Santa Anna feared: if he let the Texans go, they would join others in the rebellion.

March 27: Fannins troops were executed.

Santa Anna concluded from these battles: driving out the rest of the rebels out of Texas would be an easy task.

Texans were angered. Rally cries: “Remember Goliad” “Remember the Alamo”