Unexpected Legacy Tragedy at the Alamo as
Ammunition for the
Texas Revolution
Joseph Kim, Cole Kleespies, and Zeus Velazquez
Junior Division
Group Website
Primary
Manuscripts
Anna, Santa. “Santa Anna’s letter to McArdle explaining why the Alamo defenders had to die on
March 16 1874” 16 March 1874. MS. University of Northern Texas Libraries, Denton.
Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
A Manuscript written by Santa Anna describing why he ordered all of The Alamo’s
defenders to be killed. The Manuscript provided a glimpse into the mindset of the
Mexican leader during the war.
Hall, Edward. “Hall, Edward (fl. 1836) to Major Norton re: carrying dispatches from Texas to
Washington.” 27 April 1836. MS. Gilder Lehrman., New York. Gilder Lehrman. Web. 6
Jan 2015.
Hall Edward’s manuscript was sent as an agent of Texas. The Manuscript was written
shortly before the fall of The Alamo. These letters were notes asking for help from the
people of Texas, because without them there would be no successes in Texas Revolution.
It was helpful because without William B. Travis sending out those letters the Texas
Rebellion may have been crushed.
Houston, Sam. “Houston, Sam (1783-1863) to Edward Burleson.” 11 April 1842. MS. Gilder
Lehrman., New York. Gilder Lehrman. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The Manuscript of Sam Houston regards the safety of Austin as Texas’s center of
government. Sam Houston requests that the central government be moved to Houston due
to the fact that Houston is much easier to defend than Austin in case of a war with
Mexico. This document was helpful to us because it showed that the Texas Republic was
fearful of the Mexican army and Santa Anna trying to take back the Texas Territory.
Martin, Albert. “The postscript (in pencil) added by courier Captain Albert Martin on February
25th to Colonel William B. Travis’s original letter from the Alamo.” 25 Feb 1836.
MS. University of Northern Texas Libraries, Denton. Primary Source Adventures:
Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
Postscript written by Captain Martin describing the faith the Texans had in William B
Travis. This document provided insight into the amount of trust and confidence the
Texan soldiers had in their leadership.
Smith, Henry W. “Smith, Henry W. (1836-1869) Texas expects every man to do his duty...
[Calling for reinforcements at Alamo].” 28 February 1836. MS. Gilder Lehrman., New
York. Gilder Lehrman.Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The Manuscript written by Henry Smith to request reinforcements from the other Texan
Generals. This document shows the level of commitment that was expected from Texas
soldiers.
“Texas Declaration of Independence, Original Manuscript, March 2, 1836.” Texas State Library
and Archives Commission, 31 August 2011. Web. 16 December 2014.
This document was very essential to our product because it provided the signatures of key
leaders in the Texas revolution against Mexico. It also showed why the Texans wanted to
separate themselves from Mexico.
Travis, William B. “Travis’s Appeal for Aid at the Alamo.” 24 Feb 1836. MS. L.S. Junction.,
Texas. L.S. Junction. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The Manuscript that Colonel William B Travis sent to Washington-On-The-Brazos
requests aid, for the Alamo was under great attack from a much larger force. The
manuscript provided us knowledge about the aid that Travis didn’t receive in time for the
final assault that eventually destroyed the Alamo.
“Treaties Of Velasco” 14 May 1836. MS. L.S. Junction, Texas. Treaties of Velasco. Web. 6 Jan
2015.
The Treaties of Velasco secured Texas’s independence from Mexico. The Treaty was
signed at Velasco.
Newspapers
“Highly Important From Texas” Pg. N/A. State Journal. 19 April 1836: Chronicling America.
Web. 29 Jan 2015.
It stated that Texas has become its own country and that the United States was interested
in Texas. It was helpful, because it supported information of other sources.
“Important From Texas: Bloody Affair” . N/A. North Carolina Standard 14 April 1836:
Chronicling America. Web. 29 Jan 2015.
Important from Texas: Bloody Affair provides a brief entry about the brutal storming of
The Alamo. The title suggests that the citizens of the United States were aware and alert
about the events down in Texas.
“Late and Important From Texas” Pg. N/A. Carroll Free Press 22 April 1836: Chronicling
America. Web. 29 Jan 2015.
The newspaper states the survival of the Negro slave of William B Travis. It gives the
account of the survived slave. As the news spreads to the United States, the citizens of the
United States become more aware of the situation of the Texas Revolution.
“Lecture On Texas” Pg.N/A New-York Daily Tribune. 24 November 1842: Chronicling America.
Web. 29 Jan 2015.
Lecture On Texas reveals the thoughts of the citizens of the United States towards the
United States. It talks about the richness of the soil, and the terrible massacres at The
Alamo, and at Goliad.
“The Fall Of The Alamo” Pg. N/A. Fort Worth Daily Gazette 12 July 1842: Chronicling
America. Web. 29 Jan 2015.
The Fall Of The Alamo provides chronological information on the events that took place
during the 13-day siege. The newspaper suggests that the reinforcements that Travis had
asked for had not come because the some Texan leaders thought it would be suicide.
“The Yazoo Whig and political register., March 25, 1842” Pg. N/A. Yazoo City 24 March 1842:
Chronicling America. Web. 28 Jan 2015.
The newspaper states the brave soldiers at The Alamo had been butchered cold-heartedly.
It also gives a statement that suggests that there was a meeting at New Orleans that took
place after The Battle Of The Alamo.
Unknown “Telegraph and Texas Register.” Texas Register 1 July 1837: R4Students. Web. 9 Jan
2015.
Telegraph and Texas Register gave a small entry on the Texas Revolution.. It was not
easy to read, so it was not very essential in our project, but we were able to make out few
words that have us a gist of the whole article.
Unknown. “Telegraph Thursday. March 24, 1836.” Texas Register 24 March. 1836: Inside the
Gates. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The entry on the Texas Register gave a small entry on the Alamo. It was not easy to read,
so it was not very essential in our project, but we were able to make out few words that
have us a gist of the whole article.
Books
Brown, John Henry. History Of Texas: Volume 1. St.Louis: L.E. Daniell Publisher, 1892. Print.
This source provided information about the Texas Revolution and the reason that the
Revolution started.
Brown, John Henry. History Of Texas: Volume 2. St.Louis: L.E. Daniell Publisher, 1892. Print.
John Brown’s book History Of Texas: Volume 2 was very essential in our project because
it gave a large amount of detailed information about the Battle Of The Alamo and the
after effects of the Texas Revolution.
Yoakum, Henderson K. History Of Texas: Volume 1. Austin: The Steck Company, 1855. Print.
Henderson Yoakum’s book provided a large amount of background information about
the reasons the Texas Revolution started.
Yoakum, Henderson K. History Of Texas: Volume 2. Austin: The Steck Company, 1855. Print.
History Of Texas: Volume 2 provided an admirable amount of information about the
Battle Of The Alamo and the aftermath of the Texas Revolution.
Maps
A Rough Outline Of The Alamo Mission In 1836. Map. Denton: H.K. Yoakum. The Portal To
Texas History. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
A Rough Outline Of The Alamo Mission In 1836 shows an approximation of the lay out of
the Alamo during the siege.
The Texan Defenses At The Alamo. Map. Military Maps of the Texas Revolution. Denton:
Andrew Jackson Houston. Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6
Jan 2015.
This map displays the defenses that the Texians had at the Alamo while they were
defending against the Mexican siege. The map helped us visualize how the battle of the
Alamo unfolded.
Photographs
Unknown. A 1901 photo of the San Fernando Cathedral, where a Texan scout rung the bells to
warn of Santa Anna’s approach. 1901. Photograph. University of Northern Texas
Libraries., Denton. Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
A 1901 photo of the San Fernando Cathedral, where a Texan scout rung the bells to warn
of Santa Anna’s approach displayed an old photograph of the bell that a Texan scout
rung to warn the Texans about the Mexican Army’s approach.
Unknown. A Representation Of Davy Crockett. Photograph. University of Northern Texas
Libraries., Denton. Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
This Photograph displays Davy Crockett as a gentleman which is what many people think
is the opposite of Davy Crockett. Many people think of Davy Crockett as a hunter, but he
was also a politician. Davy Crockett was “said” to be the next president of the United
States, Davy’s political adversary was the president himself, Andrew Jackson.
Unknown. “Photo Of Alamo In 1901” 1901. Photograph. University of Northern Texas
Libraries., Denton. Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The Photo Of Alamo In 1901 displayed a photo of the alamo that helped us visualize
what kind of defenses the Texans had to rely on.
Unknown. Storming Of The Alamo. 1879. Photograph. University of Northern Texas Libraries.,
Denton. Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The source is a photographic reproduction of The Battle Of the Alamo. This gave us a
better visualization of what the battle may have been like.
Unknown. The Last Stand In The Alamo. Photograph. University of Northern Texas Libraries.,
Denton. Primary Source Adventures: Remember the Alamo. Web. 6 Jan 2015.
The Last Stand In The Alamo shows a photograph of the Texans fighting bravely in the
inner part of The Alamo.
Secondary
Interview
Brands, H.W. Email Interview. 18 January. 2015.
H.W. Brand’s interview was not very essential in our project because he gave us answers
that were the direct opposite of the answers that we had seen and read about in books. He
also said things that was the opposite of the information that we got from other
interviews.
Driscoll. Sherri. Skype Interview. 14 January. 2015.
This interview is a secondary source because the person we were interviewing was not
from that time period. This interview was very helpful and provided a lot information.
The answers to our questions were very lengthy and detailed.
Hardin. Stephen L. Telephone Interview. 21 December. 2014.
Stephen L. Hardin was a great source of information and background information and to
argue against or agree with. Stephen L. Hardin was a secondary source because he was
not there but gave primary information.
Books
Britton, Tamara L. The Alamo. Edina: ABDO Publishing Company, 2004. Print.
The Alamo is a secondary source because the author had not witnessed the Texas
Revolution and The Battle Of The Alamo. This source gave a limited amount of
information that left a vague amount of background knowledge. It helped us understand
the time period, but the information was not very crucial in our project.
Burgan, Michael. The Alamo. Minneapolis: Compass Point Books, 2001. Print.
The Alamo is a secondary source because the author had not been at the Alamo at the
time of the battle. This book will help us create our project because it gives us helpful
information about the battle and inside stories of the Alamo. It also shares information
about the conflicts before the Alamo took place.
Callcott, Wilfrid H. Santa Anna: The Story of an Enigma Who Once Was Mexico. Hamden:
Archon Books, 1964. Print.
This book is a secondary source because it gives time periods after the book up to 1892
and the author isn’t actually from that time period. It reinforced our background
information on what Santa Anna did during the Alamo battle.
Chariton, Wallace O. Forget the Alamo. Plano, TX: Wordware Pub., 1990. Print.
The information we received from the book was very helpful in detailing the events in the
alamo. It is a secondary source because the author was not there or in the time period.
Chipman, Donald E. Spanish Texas, 1519-1821. Austin: University of Texas Printers, 1992.
Print.
Spanish Texas is a secondary source because the author and documents were not present.
It will be helpful for our website because it gives events and causes leading up to the
rebellion of the Texans.
Cline, Howard F. The United States and Mexico. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1953.
Print.
This book is a secondary source because the author was not from the time period that this
occurred. It was not very helpful because throughout the whole book, only 4 pages were
about the Alamo.
Collins, Phil. The Alamo and Beyond: a collector’s journey. Buffalo Gap: State House Press.
1951. Print.
The Alamo and Beyond was not very helpful because it gave no information about the
alamo only about the artifacts. It is a secondary source because the author was not there
at the alamo and gave no information about the alamo.
Davis, William C. Three Roads To The Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James
Bowie, and William Barret Travis. New York: Harper Collins Publishers, 1998. Print.
Three Roads To The Alamo Three Roads To The Alamo is a secondary source because
the author had not been living at the time when the battle happened. This book gives a
very detailed account of background information about the three commander’s lives
before they were called to the Alamo.
Donovan, Jim. The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo and the Sacrifice That
Forged a Nation. New York: LIttle, Brown and Company, 2012. Print.
We received great information from this book and were able to determine what
information was true and false about the legacy of the alamo. This book is a secondary
source because the author was not there or in the time period.
Edmondson, J.R. The Alamo Story: from early history to current conflicts. Plano: Republic of
Texas Press. 2000. Print.
We received good early information about the Texas Revolution and the Alamo from The
Alamo Story: from early history to current conflicts. The book is a secondary source
because the author was not there or in the time period.
Fehrenbach, T. R. Lone Star; A History of Texas and the Texans. New York: Macmillan, 1968.
Print. We learned that Lone Star; A History of Texas and the Texans because the author
was not present in the time period and copied primary information. It gave a better
understanding of Sam Houston and how he impacted the Alamo and how Texas became a
state.
Fisher, Leonard Everett. The Alamo. New York: Holiday House, 1987. Print.
The Alamo was a book that provided very basic information. It provided information that
was not very essential in our project. The book is a secondary source because the author
had not been alive at the time of the Texas Revolution.
Fowler, Will. Santa Anna of Mexico. Lincoln: U of Nebraska, 2007. Print.
This book is a secondary source because the author is not from the time period in which
the alamo took place. It told of the story of Santa Anna from the time that he took charge
of Mexico to the end of the Texas Revolution.
Garland, Sherry and Ronald Himler. Voices of the Alamo. New York: Scholastic, 2000. Print.
Voices of the Alamo will be helpful for our website because it gives a timeline about the
Alamo and its leaders. The book is a secondary source because the author was not at the
Alamo.
Hatch, Thom. Encyclopedia of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. Jefferson: McFarland, 1999.
Print.
This book was a very contributive source because the source listed many important
people and events, and gave a substantial amount of information that will help set a
foundation in our project. The book is secondary source because the author was not alive
during the Texas Revolution.
Jones, Oakah L. Santa Anna. Woodbridge: Twayne Publishers, 1968. Print.
Oakah Jones’s book Santa Anna provided us knowledge about the motives of Santa Anna
during the Texas Revolution. It also provided us with knowledge that provided us a
foundation on our knowledge about Santa Anna.
Lindley, Thomas Ricks. Alamo Traces. Lanham: Republic of Texas Press, 2003. Print.
Alamo Traces contributed a lot of background information about the Alamo. It confirmed
our belief about the Texians having more casualties than the Mexicans. Alamo Traces is a
secondary source because Thomas Lindley wasn’t present during the Battle..
McGowen, Tom.The Alamo. Danbury: Children’s Press, 2003. Print.
The Alamo was not very essential in the project because it contributed lots of the same
information that other sources provided. The book is a secondary source because the
author had not been alive during the time period.
Moore, Stephen L. Eighteen Minutes: The Battle of San Jacinto and the Texas Independence
Campaign. Dallas: Republic of Texas, 2004. Print.
We obtained background knowledge that sustained facts about are topic but also brought
up more questions to be asked and answered. It is a secondary source because the author
was not there at the event or in the time period.
Myers, John Myers. The Alamo. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1948. Print.
This source was essential in our project because it gave a flourishing amount of
information about the process of the three leaders in the Battle of the Alamo. It explained
how Davy Crockett, James Bowie, and William B Travis got to the Alamo. The book is a
secondary source because the author had not witnessed The Battle Of The Alamo.
Reichstein, Andreas V. Rise Of The Lone Star. College Station: Texas A&M University Press,
1989. Print.
This book is a secondary source because the author was not from that time period. It
reinforced our background knowledge of how texas became a state, and the battle of the
reason texas became a state.
Santa Anna was a courageous leader and lead his country to many victories but was a tyrant in
the end Santa Anna “lead” his country to runes for years to come. From earlier
information Santa Anna’s book is a secondary source because the author never meet or
was present during Santa Anna’s events.
Santos. Richard G. Santa Anna’s Campaign Against Texas. Waco: Texian Press, 1968. Print.
Richard Santos’s book gave a large amount of information on the military supply and
actions of the Mexican army. It assisted us in making our project because it helped us
understand the military power that the Mexicans used against the Texans.
Temple, Teri ,and Bob Temple. Remember the Alamo. Vero Beach: Rourke Pub., 2007. Print.
This book is a secondary source because this author is not from this time period. This
book gave us background information and laid down a foundation to begin our product.
Walker, Paul Robert. Remember the Alamo: Texians, Tejanos, and Mexicans Tell Their Stories.
Washington, D.C.: National Geographic, 2007. Print.
The review over the book is a secondary source because the writer was not present at the
Alamo. It will help with the website because it shared helpful background knowledge and
information.
Warrick, Karen Clemens. Alamo: Victory or Death on the Texas Frontier. Berkeley Heights:
Enslow Publishers, Inc, 2009. Print.
This book was insightful because it provided the background information we needed to
begin our project.It is a secondary source because the author that wrote the book is not
from this time period.
ARTICLES
CRISP, JAMES E. "An Altar For Their Sons: The Alamo And The Texas Revolution In
Contemporary Newspaper Accounts." Journal Of Southern History 79.1 (2013): 168-169.
Historical Abstracts. Web. 17 Dec 2014.
This article helped us grasp more information about the alamo and showed that people
not only know about the alamo but care about it also. This article is a secondary source
because the author was not there.
Griffin, Roger A. "Sleuthing The Alamo: Davy Crockett's Last Stand And Other Mysteries Of
The Texas Revolution." History: Reviews Of New Books 33.4 (2005): 142. America:
History & Life. Web. 17 Dec 2014.
This article was obtained from a book and was helpful to support other facts. It is a
secondary source because the author was not there or in the time period.
Hatley, Paul B. "Sacrificed At The Alamo: Tragedy And Triumph In The Texas Revolution."
History Teacher 38.3 (2005): 424-425. America: History & Life. Web. 17 Dec 2014.
This article was obtained from a book and was helpful to support our facts. It is a
secondary source because the author was not there or in the time period.
Pierce, Michael D. "Sacrificed At The Alamo: Tragedy And Triumph In The Texas Revolution."
Journal Of Southern History 71.3 (2005): 682-683.America: History & Life. Web. 17
Dec 2014.
This article was obtained from a book and was helpful to support more facts. It is a
secondary source because the author was not there or in the time period.
WEBSITES
“Causes of the Texas Revolution.” Austin Community College. Causes of the Texas Revolution.
18 Feb 2015.
Causes of the Texas Revolution assisted us in understanding the reasons the revolution
started.
"MexicanHistory.org Mexican History from Ancient times to Today."MexicanHistory.org
Mexican History from Ancient times to Today. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2015.
The website Mexican History assisted us in understanding the concept of The Mexican
Revolution of Independence.
“Sam Houston and the Battle for Texas Independence.” America’s Library. Sam Houston and the
Battle for Texas Independence. Web. 21 Feb 2015.
The webpage was very supportive in our case about Sam Houston’s leadership. It
confirmed our belief of Sam Houston being a great leader that ended the whole
revolution.
“Santa Anna in the Texas Revolution.” Andrews University. Santa Anna in the Texas Revolution.
Web. 21 Feb 2015.
Santa Anna in the Texas Revolution provided us with vital information that broadened
our knowledge about the role Santa Anna played in the Texas Revolution.
“Texas Revolution.” Texas State Historical Association. A Digital Gateway To Texas History.
17 Jan. 2015.
The information that the Texas State Historical Association provided assisted us in
understanding the conflicts the Texans had with Mexico which sparked the Texas
Revolution.
"The 1836 Battle." The Official Alamo Website. The Shrine of Texas Liberty, 1 Jan. 2014. Web.
21 Nov 2014.
We aquired more information about the alamo and how the alamo was besieged. in
review “The 1836 Battle” is a secondary source because the creator was not at the event
of the alamo. It told of how Santa Anna later chose to just attack instead of continuing the
siege.
"Under The Republic 1837-1845." The Shrine of Texas Liberty. N.p., 2014. Web. 30 Jan. 2015.
This website provided us knowledge of the problems that Texas had faced when Texas
had become an independent county.
Documentary
“The Alamo.” A&E Television Networks. History Channel. Web. 13 Jan. 2015.
The video on History.com explained why many people have so much interest in the
Alamo, and it shared some information on how The Battle Of The Alamo became a
leader in the Texas Revolution, and how it left a legacy in history.
"THE ALAMO: THE REAL STORY (WILD WEST HISTORY DOCUMENTARY)."YouTube.
N.p., 12 May 2014. Web. 19 Jan. 2015.
The documentary retold the whole story of the Alamo and what happened at the Alamo
during the siege.
Music/Audio
"History Channel: The Alamo Deconstructed." YouTube. N.p., 14 Dec. 2010. Web. 19 Jan. 2015
The audio was very helpful because it gave new information to use and give support for
past information. It is a secondary source because video was not common or used in the
1830’s.
"American Politics & Adventure - The 1836 Battle of The Alamo ("Remember the Alamo")."
Wikileaks. Spiesleaks, 7 Nov. 2014. Web. 6 Feb. 2015.
The audio was helpful because it was a story about the alamo and what happened at the
alamo. It is a secondary source because youtube was not created in the 1830’s.