Battle of the Alamo

battle_name=Battle of the Alamo

The final assault

The number of Mexican forces attacking the post was reported as high as 4,000 to 5,000, but only about 1,400 to 1,600 soldiers were used in the investment and the final assault. 6,500 soldiers had originally set out from San Luis Potosí, but illness and desertion had since reduced the force. The Mexican siege was scientific and professionally conducted in the Napoleonic-style. After a 13-day period in which the defenders were tormented with bands blaring at night (including buglers sounding the no-mercy call El Degüello), occasional artillery fire, and an ever closing ring of Mexicans cutting off potential escape routes, Santa Anna planned the final assault for March 6.

Related Topics:
Illness - Desertion - Siege

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Lt. Col. Travis's final dispatches include a poignant example of the Texian spirit as the noose tightened around the Alamo. He wrote, "The enemy has demanded my surrender. I have answered their demand with a single cannon shot. I shall never surrender."

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The Mexican army attacked the Alamo in four columns plus a reserve and a pursuit and security force, starting at 05:00. The first column of 300 to 400 men led by Martín Perfect de Cos moved towards the northwest corner of the Alamo. The second was of 380 men commanded by Col. Francisco Duque. The third column was comprised of 400 soldiers led by Col. José María Romero. The fourth was comprised of 100 cazadores (light infantry) commanded by Col. Juan Morales. The attacking columns had to cover 200 to 300 yards (200 to 300 m) of open ground before they could reach the Alamo walls. To prevent any attempted escape by the fleeing Texans or reinforcements from coming in, Santa Anna placed 350 cavalry under Brig. Gen. Ramírez y Sesma to patrol the surrounding countryside.

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The Texians initially pushed back one of the attacking columns, although Lt. Col. Travis died from a gunshot to the head. Santa Anna's remaining columns pressed forward and Cos' column breached the north wall. The Mexicans seized the Alamo by 6:30 that morning, after hand-to-hand combat, killing virtually all of the male defenders.

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The victorious Mexicans released two dozen surviving women and children, as well as Bowie's slave Sam and Travis' slave Joe, after the battle. Before disappearing into history, Joe told of seeing a slave named John killed in the Alamo assault and another black woman killed. Another reported survivor was Brigido Guerrero, a Mexican army deserter who had joined the Texian cause. He was able to convince the Mexican soldiers that he had been a prisoner held against his will. In addition, Henry Wornell (sometimes spelled Warnell in early accounts) was reportedly able to escape the battle, but died from his wounds three months later.

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Casualties

• Mexican: Reports of the number of dead and injured vary from approximately 250 in the official Mexican account to 1,400 to 1,500 in later Texan accounts. Most historians believe there were approximately 300 to 400 Mexicans killed and 300 wounded, although the precise number is unknown.
• Texian: 183 to 250 Texian and Tejano bodies were found at the Alamo after the battle, though Santa Anna's official report back to Mexico City, dictated to his personal secretary Ramón Martínez Caro, stated 600 rebel bodies were found. Historians believe this to be a false claim. All but one of the bodies were burned by the Mexicans; the sole exception being Gregorio Esparza, who was buried rather than burned because his brother Francisco had served as an activo and had fought under General Cos in the Siege of Béxar.