The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution and is one of the most recognized events in not only United States history, but in World history. To imagine that only one hundred and eighty nine individuals stood against the Mexican army, with eighteen hundred troops, has been an inspiration to all men and women that have served in the United States Military.
In December 1835, during Texas’ war for independence from Mexico, a group of volunteer soldiers from Texas occupied the Alamo, a former mission located near the present day city of San Antonio. The battle stands out due to the large number of illustrious personalities among its combatants, which included Tennessee congressman David Crockett, entrepreneur and adventurer
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By February of 1836, Colonel James Bowie and Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis had taken command of the Texan forces still in San Antonio. The newly appointed commander-in-chief, Sam Houston, of the Texan forces argued that San Antonio should be abandoned because there was not a great enough troop presence, but the Alamo’s defenders, led by Bowie and Travis, dug in nonetheless, and prepared to defend the fort against the Mexican forces for as long as they could. These defenders, who despite later reinforcements never numbered more than two hundred, included Davy Crockett, the famous frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee, who had arrived in early …show more content…
For the Texans, the Battle of the Alamo became a symbol of heroic resistance and a rallying cry in their struggle for independence. On April 21, 1836, Sam Houston and eight hundred Texans defeated General Santa Anna’s Mexican forces of fifteen hundred men at San Jacinto, near present day Houston, shouting “Remember the Alamo!” as they attacked. The victory ensured the success of Texan Independence. Santa Anna, who had been taken prisoner during the battle, came to terms with Sam Houston to end the war. In May, the remaining Mexican troops in San Antonio were ordered to withdraw, and to demolish the Alamo’s fortifications as they