Siege of Alamo

[oljames3]

Day 1: FEBRUARY 23, 1836
SIEGE OF THE ALAMO BEGINS
Although Travis believed that Santa Anna would not arrive before mid-March, scouts began to tell him that the Mexican army would arrive much sooner. A lookout posted at the San Fernando Church spotted the Mexican army on this date, and the Texians fell back to the Alamo fort. Thus Santa Anna took San Antonio de Béxar without a shot being fired. Santa Anna ordered a red flag raised at the San Fernando Church which sent a message to the defenders that they would receive no mercy. The Texians responded with a shot from their largest cannon – an 18 pounder. The siege had officially begun.
https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battl ... n-timeline

[oljames3]

Day 2: FEBRUARY 24, 1836
TRAVIS WRITES THE FAMOUS "VICTORY OR DEATH" LETTER
Travis wrote many letters asking for aid during the siege – he knew that the Alamo would fall if it did not receive reinforcements. Furthermore, he was now leading the men alone – Bowie had fallen gravely ill. The cause of his illness is unknown, but he was unable to leave his bed. San Antonio was considered a strategic location to both sides in the war, and though Travis’ words were effective, few reinforcements would arrive in time. The most famous letter written by Travis was sent on this date, and he closed the letter with this promise: “If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country – Victory or Death.”
https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battl ... n-timeline

[anygunanywhere]

Day 2: FEBRUARY 24, 1836
TRAVIS WRITES THE FAMOUS "VICTORY OR DEATH" LETTER
Travis wrote many letters asking for aid during the siege – he knew that the Alamo would fall if it did not receive reinforcements. Furthermore, he was now leading the men alone – Bowie had fallen gravely ill. The cause of his illness is unknown, but he was unable to leave his bed. San Antonio was considered a strategic location to both sides in the war, and though Travis’ words were effective, few reinforcements would arrive in time. The most famous letter written by Travis was sent on this date, and he closed the letter with this promise: “If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country – Victory or Death.”
https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battl ... n-timeline

I have seen the original letter.

Victory or Death.

[oljames3]

Day 3: FEBRUARY 25, 1836
JUAN SEGUÍN TAKES LETTER TO SAM HOUSTON FROM ALAMO
Juan Seguín was a native of Béxar, and he had been made a captain by Stephen F. Austin. His familiarity with the area made him the perfect choice to sneak past Santa Anna’s men who now had the Alamo surrounded. His letter repeated many of the sentiments sent the day before, although this letter was sent to the Commander-in-Chief. https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battl ... n-timeline

[oljames3]

Day 4

Day 4: FEBRUARY 26, 1836
FANNIN BEGINS MARCHING TO BÉXAR FROM GOLIAD
Upon hearing of the plight of the Alamo, James Fannin, commander of the soldiers at Fort Defiance in Goliad began marching to their aid. It took Fannin and his men the entire day to cross the river, and they were still within sight of the fort at Goliad when night fell. https://www.thealamo.org/remember/battl ... n-timeline

[oljames3]

Day Four – Friday February 26, 1836
The Texians burned more jacales during the night. It soon became obvious that the Alamo's water well would not supply the needs of a 150+ people in the garrison. They would have to obtain water from the nearby acequia.

The overnight arrival of a norther dropped the temperatures to near freezing. As daylight broke, a Texian foray went outside the walls to obtain water and wood. A small skirmish erupted with the Mexican troops under General Sesma. Mexican casualties were slightly heavier than in earlier fights due to the Texian's eastern-facing cannon.
http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

Day Five – Saturday February 27, 1836
The fifth day of the siege was again cold with temperatures ranging in the 30s.

Having exhausted their own supplies, the Mexicans pillaged BŽjar of foodstuffs and perishables. When they in turn depleted these, they sent troops to nearby ranchos to forage livestock and corn.

In a decisive move, the Mexicans cut off the eastern acequia's water supply at its source: the San Antonio River. Not only did this end the minor skirmishes that had taken place from the beginning of the siege; it essentially eliminated the defender's major source of water.

The Matamoros battalion began work on trenches to the South of the Alamo compound. These entrenchments did not pass Santa Anna's inspection and so he ordered his men to dig new entrenchments closer to the Alamo under the direct supervision of General Amador.

Throughout the day, the Texians maintained constant fire on the Mexican work party. According to General Filisola, the Texians were seen working frantically on their own ditch inside the parapet of the cattle pen. This effort later proved fruitless and was harmful to the Alamo's defense by undermining the walls, essentially removing any walkway the defenders might have had exposing them to Mexican fire.

General Gaona received Santa Anna's letter of the 25th requesting him to send three battalions as quickly as possible. Gaona immediately complied, yet failed to forward any heavy siege guns because Santa Anna neglected to include this request in his dispatch.
http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[carlson1]

I have enjoyed reading this so far. Thank you.

[oljames3]

Day Six – Sunday February 28, 1836
Mexicans receive intelligence that 200 Texian reinforcements from Goliad are en route to the Alamo.

The morale within the compound is high. According to Mrs. Dickinson, Crockett took up a fiddle and challenged John McGregor, a Scot with bagpipes, to a contest of instruments. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

1836 was a Leap Year. February had 29 days.

Day Seven – Monday February 29, 1836
The Mexican's Jimenez battalion and the cavalry under command of General Ramirez y Sesma are ordered down the Goliad road to intercept any reinforcements that might have been sent by Fannin.

The Mexicans propose a three-day armistice and several Tejanos leave Alamo during the cease-fire. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

1836 was a Leap Year. February had 29 days.

Gunnade https://www.horsesoldier.com/products/36069

Day Eight – Tuesday March 1, 1836
Thirty-two reinforcements from Gonzales arrive.

General Sesma advances towards Goliad to seek out Texian reinforcements coming to the aid of the Alamo. Finding none, he returns to Bexar.

The Alamo's 12-pound gunnade fires two shots, one of them hitting Santa Anna's headquarters. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

1836 was a Leap Year. Texas declared independence from Mexico on the ninth day of the siege, March 2, 1836.
Texas Declaration of Independence. https://www.tsl.texas.gov/treasures/rep ... ation.html

Day Nine – Wednesday March 2, 1836
Travis receives a report that there is corn at the Seguin ranch. He sends a detatchment headed by Lt. Menchaca to retrieve it.

Mexican forces discover a hidden road within pistol shot of the Alamo and post the Jimenez battalion there to cover it.

Unknown to the defenders, Independence has been declared at Washington-on-the-Brazos. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

1836 was a Leap Year. February had 29 days.

Day Ten – Thursday March 3, 1836
James Butler Bonham arrives with news of reinforcements. He reports that sixty men from Gonzales are due and that an additional 600 would soon be en route.

The Texians fire several shots into the city in celebration.

Santa Anna receives word of Mexican General Urrea's victory at San Patricio. In celebration, the Mexcians ring church bells and there is revelry in the camp.

The lead elements of General Gaona's Brigade arrive. These are reinforcements needed for a successful assault. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

1836 was a Leap Year. February had 29 days.

Day Eleven – Friday March 4, 1836
Santa Anna gathers his officers for a council of war.

It is decided that when the final assault takes place, that they will take no prisoners. The time for the assault will be determined tomorrow.

Having been consolidated into two batteries, the Mexican artillery, is brought to within 200 yards of the compound.

More Texian reinforcements arrive in the late hours. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html

[oljames3]

March 6 is the day we remember the fall of Alamo. However, as 1836 was a Leap Year, March 6, 2022, marks the 12th day of the siege.

Day Twelve – Saturday March 5, 1836
Santa Anna issues orders for the assault to begin on the following day utilizing four assault columns and one reserve column.

Santa Anna calls for reconnaissance to determine Mexican attack positions and approaches.

A messenger arrives at the compound with the grim news that reinforcements aren't coming.

Travis gathers his men and informs them of their options.

At midnight the Mexicans begin moving into attack position. http://www.sonsofdewittcolony.org/adp/h ... ology.html