Chapter 10
The Alamo and Goliad
Cornell Notes
Section 1: A Clash of Armies
A Missed
Opportunity
While Santa Anna was on his way to Texas. Texans did not
use their Time wisely.
They drifted without: Strong Leadership
Most who remained were new arrivals form the United
states. They came to Texas for…
1. To obtain the land promised by the Texas government
2. Their Strong belief in Liberty
3. Spirit of Adventure.
Santa Anna
Moves North
Santa Anna’s Army:
1. 6,000 soldiers
2. Part had been recruited quickly
3. New troops were poorly clothed and fed.
4. had to fight with old muskets and poor equipment
5. Forced to fight, against their will
Section 1: A Clash of Armies
(remember on February 23, Texans had moved into the
Alamo when Santa Anna came into town)
Texans
Occupy the
Alamo
Colonel Neill had 104 soldiers
Sam Houston ordered Colonel James Bowie and about 25
Texas in Goliad to the Alamo
Travis Arrives
at the Alamo
Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis and about 30 soldiers
from San Felipe joined the Alamo.
Colonel Neill left the Alamo
Bowie became the commander of the volunteers.
Travis became the commander of the Regular Army
Bowie became ill and passes command of the Alamo to
Travis.
Section 2: Texans Defend the Alamo
In Defense of
the Alamo
Strengths of the Alamo:
1. Walls were 2 to 3 feet thick and 12 feet high
2. 21 Cannons
3. Supplies of beef and corn were high
4. Sufficient Water
Weaknesses of the Alamo:
1. Some walls were incomplete- Gap in the south wall
2. too Large
Travis
Declares
“Victory or
Death”
On February 24th, 1836 Travis wrote a letter to: To all the
people of Texas and all Americans in the World- Fellow
Citizens and Compatriots
In the letter Travis States:
“ I will never Surrender or retreat”
Santa Anna made his headquarters at San Fernando
Church.
Section 2: Texans Defend the Alamo
Facing
Certain Death
On March 5, Travis explained to his troops that : remaining
at the Alamo meant certain death.
Travis drew: a line in the sand and asked all those who
wished to stay to cross over the line.
Texans Troops
Give Ground
Battle started on: March 6th at 5:00 am
First wave: riddled by cannon and rifle fire.
Second wave: same as first
Third wave: Mexican Successfully pushed back the Texans
and stormed over the walls.
By 8:00 am: the battle was over.
A Battle Cry
for Victory
Santa Anna hoped: the fall of the Alamo would convince
other Texans that it was useless to resist his armies.
Texans were: inspired to carry on the struggle for freedom.
Section 3: Defeat in South Texas
Urrea Sweeps
Northward to
Regugio
At San Patricio on February 27, 1836, Urrea destroyed a
force of 50 Texans under Frank W. Johnson’s command.
Fannin Delays
His Departure
Fannin was the Commander of the Texas troops at Goliad
His inability to make a decision and stick to it hurt the Texas
cause.
*****in February, Fannin had decided to help Travis at the
Alamo but a shortage of wagons for transporting supplies
caused him to return to Goliad.
On March 14: Fannin received orders from General Houston
to retreat towards Victora
Fannin moves his troops on :March 19th
They were slower than they thought…
Section 3: Defeat in South Texas
Fannin
Delays his
Departure
(cont)
Fannin allowed his soldiers to rest 3 miles from Coleto Creek
Suddenly the Texas were surrounded by Urrea’s troops
Fannin- 300 men
Urrea- 300-500 men
Fannin assembled his soldiers in a square.
Mexicans charged three times. But each time, they were driven
back.
Both sides spend the night: strengthening their positions.
Texans had
1. Little cover and no water
2. Believed reinforcements were coming
3. Their spirits remained high.
After a brief exchange of gunfire Fannin: asked Urrea for the
terms of surrender.
Section 3: Defeat in South Texas
Texans
Surrender
Texans believed :they were prisoners of war and would be
treated fairly by their captors.
Santa Anna’s
“Cruel
Necessity”
Urrea wrote to the President Santa Anna requesting: that
the lives of the prisoner be spared.
Santa Anna’s reply: ordered the immediate execution of the
Texans.
***** Santa Anna feared: if he let the Texans go, they
would join others in the rebellion.
March 27: Fannins troops were executed.
Lessons of
Santa Anna concluded from these battles: driving out the
the Alamo and rest of the rebels out of Texas would be an easy task.
Goliad
Texans were angered. Rally cries: “Remember Goliad”
“Remember the Alamo”