Battle of the Alamo

battle_name=Battle of the Alamo

Prelude to Battle

With the surrender of General Cos, there was no longer a Mexican military presence in Texas. Mexican President and General Antonio López de Santa Anna Pérez de Lebrón decided to launch an offensive with the aim of putting down the rebellion. Minister of War José María Tornel and Maj. Gen. Vicente Filisola (1789–1850) proposed a seaborne attack to Santa Anna, which would have been easier on the troops plus it had been a proven means of expeditions into Texas since 1814. Santa Anna refused on the basis that this plan would take too long and the rebels in Texas might receive aid from the United States.

Related Topics:
Mexican President - Antonio López de Santa Anna Pérez de Lebrón - Rebellion - José María Tornel - Vicente Filisola - 1789 - 1850 - 1814 - United States

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Santa Anna assembled an estimated force of 6,100 soldiers and 20 cannon at San Luis Potosí and in early 1836, and moved through Saltillo, Coahuila, towards Texas. His army marched across the Rio Grande through inclement weather, including snowstorms in mountain passes, to suppress the rebellion. San Antonio de Béxar was one of his intermediate objectives; his ultimate objective was to capture the Texas government and restore the rule of the central or "Centralist" Mexican government over a rebellious state. He had earlier suppressed the rebellion in the state of Zacatecas in 1835.

Related Topics:
San Luis Potosí - Saltillo - Coahuila - Zacatecas

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Santa Anna and his army arrived in San Antonio de Béxar on February 23. It was a mixed force of regular infantry and cavalry units as well as activo reserve infantry battalions. They were equipped with the British Baker and the out-dated, short range but effective and deadly British "Tower Musket, Mark III or Brown Bess musket. The average Mexican soldier stood 5 ft 1 in (1.55 m); many were recent conscripts with no previous combat experience. However, they were well-drilled, though the Mexican army discouraged individual marksmanship. The initial forces were equipped with four 7 in (178 mm) howitzers, seven 4-pound (1.8 kg), four 6-pound (2.7 kg), four of 8-pound (3.6 kg) and two 12-pound (5 kg) cannon.

Related Topics:
February 23 - Infantry - Cavalry - Battalion - British - Brown Bess - Musket

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Several of the Mexican officers were European mercenary veterans, including Vicente Filisola (Italy) and Antonio Gaona (Cuba), and General Santa Anna was a veteran of the Mexican War of Independence.

Related Topics:
Mercenary - Veteran - Mexican War of Independence

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