Battle Of The Alamo Research Paper

The Battle of the Alamo also known as the 13 day siege took place in February 23, 1836 – March 6, 1836. This is how it started. The Alamo was built by Spanish settlers around 1718. Spanish settlers built the Alamo around 1718 but it was called the Mission San Antonio de Valero. In December 1835 a group of Texans captured the fort. But on February 23 a Mexican force with 4,000 men began the fight.

The Texans only had around 200 men so they knew how this was going to end. Although they knew they would die they stayed there a fought for 13 days. Even though the Texans knew they would lose the still fought and they fought hard. The Mexican army lost somewhere between 600-1,600 men and 500 wounded. All Texans were killed. Santa Anna ordered all the bodies of the Texans to be burned.

The Texans sent the first message to Santa Anna with a shot from their 18-pounder. Santa Anna’s plan was to bombard the fort with cannons and firearms for 12 days and nights. This caused the Texans to lose sleep which gave the Mexican army an advantage of rest and energy. But on February 23, Santa Anna started the bombardment with small artillery. This killed no one but they still did it. By March 5th, the Texans didn’t have ammo to return fire.

Finally on March 6, Santa Anna and 1,500 men rushed to the Alamo before dawn. He told them to take no prisoners. The Mexican army had trouble getting over the walls of the Alamo. When they eventually did the real fight started. Even thought the Texans were easily outnumbered they fought much harder than they did which helped. The Texans ended up killing 1,500 Mexican soldiers but still lost. Towards the end of the battle the Texans ran out of ammo so they resorted to melee. Since many didn’t have a melee weapon they used their guns as melee weapons. Santa Anna wanted all Texan bodies to be