https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC-c35kkXDg
Thermopylae had her messenger of defeat-the Alamo had none.
Thomas Jefferson Green
One hundred and eighty years ago the Alamo fell. The defenders had achieved victory in death, giving thirteen precious days in which Texan independence was declared and Sam Houston appointed by the Texas Constitutional Convention as Commander-in-Chief of the Texan Army, which at that time consisted of a few hundred raw recruits. The Alamo defenders inflicted some 600 killed and wounded on the 1800 man force of Santa Anna. Word of the Alamo spread throughout Texas, convincing each man that this was a fight to the end, and that the cry “give me liberty or give me death” were what they were facing.
The fallen of the Alamo would never be forgotten, the Texans screaming out the battle cry “Remember the Alamo!”, as they charged and crushed Santa Anna’s army at the battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, achieving the dream of the defenders of the Alamo, an independent Texas.
Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—
Fellow Citizens & compatriots—
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, 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.
William Barrett Travis.
Lt. Col. comdt.
From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli- the battles go on.
Thanks for the post.
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All Americans need to be conversant with Col. Travis’ letter.
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I had not realized the numbers of casualties the Alamo defenders inflicted on the Mexican Army. The sacrifices of the Alamo not only bought time, they gave the Texan Army its heart and soul.
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Every American should “Remember the Alamo” and ponder how cheaply they hold their liberty compared to those who fought and died for it.
Part of why they had such a huge kill-rate is because the enemy leadership didn’t care about their people– they’d just throw more bodies. (My mom had a really good bunch of talks with us about that, when we listened to the song; I also knew more about the Alamo than the rest of my class thanks to the song.)
Still.
I have a hard time cheering them on, knowing that the Texas Revolution was driven by anti-Catholic Protestant slave holders who wished to defy a Catholic country that had abolished slavery.
http://www.coha.org/modern-day-slavery-in-mexico-and-the-united-states/
No doubt, Foxfier. There is slavery in modern Mexico. But this is after a hundred years of secular anti-Catholic government that arose from what was essentially a failed communist revolution.
Differences of religion played zip role in the Texas Revolution and slavery played little role. Texas was part of a general revolt of several Mexican provinces against the Mexican dictator Santa Anna. The banner that flew over the Alamo had 1824 on it, rebels throughout Mexico demanding the restoration of the liberal constitution of 1824 that Santa Anna had suppressed.
I was just identifying what the two sides represented. However, slavery did play a role, and the Texans suppurted Santa Ana until he took power. See the Turtle Bayou Resolutions, particularly the sixth complaint against the Mexicans. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turtle_Bayou_Resolutions
Actually, you were asserting what the two sides represented; that turned out to be an incorrect identification.
Donald corrected it.
“I was just identifying what the two sides represented.”
No, you were completely misrepresenting what the dictator Santa Anna stood for.
“and the Texans suppurted Santa Ana until he took power”
The Texans at all times opposed Santa Anna once he made himself a dictator. Being a political opportunist, Santa Anna prior to taking power had often backed the Mexican liberals.
“particularly the sixth complaint against the Mexicans”
Slavery simply was not one of the main reasons that Texas revolted.
Poor Mexico, so often run by tyrants, and by corrupt politicians….
Yes, Mexico is majority Catholic, but that is despite the best efforts of the Mexican Government almost since Mexico became independent of Spain.
Today, what is the religion with the most adherents in Texas? Baptists? NO! The Catholic Church…as it was during the days of the Spanish and French explorers.
I talked about what the Mexican people stood for, not Santa Ana specifically. I’m sure your knowledge of history is much greater than mine. However, I do know that the issues with slavery in Texas predated Santa Ana, and when they were done the Texans had a constitution that allowed slavery and forbid the freeing of slaves without approval of the legislature. There were disturbances surrounding the issue of slavery, and Mexican fear of Texan secession well before Santa Ana came around. Without a doubt, other issues were predominant, but the issue of slavery was at least in the background. To say it isn’t is akin to saying abortion isn’t an issue in Bernie Sanders’ campaign. Nobody is really talking about it on his side, but we all know where he stands on it, and what he will do about if he wins.
“I talked about what the Mexican people stood for, not Santa Ana specifically.”
The people of Mexico who cherished liberty were in revolt against Santa Anna, just as the people of Texas were.
“I do know that the issues with slavery in Texas predated Santa Ana, and when they were done the Texans had a constitution that allowed slavery and forbid the freeing of slaves without approval of the legislature.”
Yes, and it had little to do with the Texas revolution.
“and Mexican fear of Texan secession well before Santa Ana came around”
There were very few Tejanos in Texas, perhaps 3500. The Americans were invited in largely because it was hoped that they could serve as a buffer against raids by Commanches, the true rulers of much of Texas.
“To say it isn’t is akin to saying abortion isn’t an issue in Bernie Sanders’ campaign.”
Not really. If Sanders’ were to become the nominee, the issue of abortion would become an issue of contention, unless Trump is the nominee and decides that his old pro-abortion stance is what he believes now. In regard to the Texas Revolution the issue of slavery just was not important. The Mexican government had long allowed Texas to ignore the Mexican law against slavery, and using the same labor contracts that kept most Mexicans in peonage, slavery de facto simply was not affected by the Mexican de jure abolition of slavery.