Siege of the Alamo: The "small affair" That Won Texas Independence

Q: When was the Siege of the Alamo?

The Siege of the Alamo took place between 23 February and 6 March 1836 in San Antonio de Bexar, Texas.

Q: Why did the siege and battle of the Alamo happen?

The Alamo was a fort formerly held by the Mexican army under General Cos, Santa Anna's brother-in-law, who was defeated there in December 1835. The fort was then garrisoned by Texians. Santa Anna wanted to avenge his family's honor and make an example of the Texians at the Alamo. Travis, commanding the Alamo, refused to surrender, hoping reinforcements would come. Santa Anna took the fort and killed all the defenders.

Q: How many people died at the Battle of the Alamo?

On the Texian side, 185-250 men were killed. On the Mexican side, 400-600 were killed.

Q: Did anyone inside the Alamo survive?

Yes, there were approximately 15 survivors of the Alamo - women, children, and Travis's slave among them - who later gave accounts of the siege and battle.

Joshua J. Mark

Definition

The Siege of the Alamo (23 February to 6 March 1836) was an engagement of Texian forces with the Mexican Army, leading up to the Battle of the Alamo on the morning of 6 March 1836. The 13-day siege and battle has become legendary and is among the most famous military conflicts in history.

More about: Siege of the Alamo

Timeline

Dec 1835 - Feb 1836
Colonel James C. Neill commands the Alamo garrison.
11 Dec 1835
Mexican General Cos surrenders and leaves the Alamo after the Siege of Béxar; Texian troops fortify the Alamo.
Jan 1836
James 'Jim' Bowie arrives at the Alamo with orders to destroy it; he and Col. Neill decide to fortify it instead.
Jan 1836 - Feb 1836
The Alamo garrison receives reinforcements. Bowie, Travis and Crockett arrive.
11 Feb 1836
Colonel Neill leaves the Alamo; Bowie and Travis become co-commanders.
12 Feb 1836
Mexican President and General Santa Anna crosses into Texas from Mexico, heading for the Alamo.
23 Feb 1836
Santa Anna enters San Antonio de Béxar and lays siege to the Alamo.
23 Feb 1836 - 6 Mar 1836
The Siege of the Alamo, ending with the Battle of the Alamo.
24 Feb 1836
Jim Bowie falls ill; Travis becomes sole commander of the Alamo.
24 Feb 1836
Lt. Col. William Barret Travis sends out his famous letter "To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World".
5 Mar 1836
According to Alamo lore, Lt. Col. William B. Travis draws a line in the sand of the Alamo courtyard asking all who will stand with him to step across. Everyone except one man does so.