MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023 - REMEMBER THE ALAMO - AND SAN ANTONIO

 MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2023 - REMEMBER THE ALAMO - AND SAN ANTONIO

Last week was Texas Independence Day.  Today in history commemorates the Battle of the Alamo.

From TODAY IN HISTORY:

On March 6, 1836, after 13 days of intermittent fighting, the Battle of the Alamo came to a gruesome end, capping off a pivotal moment in the Texas Revolution. Mexican forces were victorious in recapturing the fort, and nearly all of the roughly 200 Texan defenders—including frontiersman Davy Crockett—died.

Thirteen days earlier, on February 23, Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna ordered a siege of the Alamo Mission (near present-day San Antonio), which had been occupied by rebel Texas forces since December. An army of over 1,000 Mexican soldiers began descending on the makeshift fort and setting up artillery.

Over the next two weeks, the two armies traded gunfire, but there were few casualties. Despite being clearly outnumbered, Alamo co-commanders James Bowie and William Travis insisted on remaining in place. The volunteer soldiers defending the Alamo included doctors and farmers, as well as Tennessee frontiersman and Congressman Davy Crockett, who fought in the Tennessee militia.

The final attack came before dawn on March 6. Mexican troops breached the north wall and flooded into the compound, awakening many of the Texans inside. The fighting lasted 90 minutes, some of it hand-to-hand combat. Bowie and Travis were killed, as was Crockett, although reports differ as to exactly how and when. Several Texans reportedly surrendered, but Santa Anna ordered all prisoners to be executed. Only a handful survived, mostly women and children. Historians estimate several hundred Mexicans died.

After the battle, the Mexican army marched east. Meanwhile, Sam Houston, commander of the Texas forces, had been building and developing his army in Harris County. “Remember the Alamo!” became their rallying cry as an urgent reminder to avenge their earlier defeat. On April 21, Texas and Mexico fought again at the Battle of San Jacinto. Texas was victorious this time, and won independence from Mexico, bringing the Texas Revolution to an end.

The defense of the Alamo remains a symbol of resistance and revolution. The battle has been immortalized in several TV series and films, including the 1960s The Alamo, starring John Wayne as Davy Crockett. 

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San Antonio is a predominately Hispanic City - but also a very American City.  On the south of San Antonio is the San Antonio Missions National Historic Site - which is also the only  UNESCO World Heritage Site in Texas.

Originally the Alamo was a Spanish mission church (1755-1793) joining the other Missions (see below).  But by 1793, it ceased being a church.  It later played a vital role in the 1836 Battle of the Alamo. Some traces from the battle still exist but changes to the structure reflect its later role as a U.S. Army Quartermaster Depot warehouse and eventually a memorial to the Alamo Defenders.

The other mission churches are National Historic Parks and include: From north to south: Mission Concepción, Mission San José, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. Each mission is about 2.5 miles from the next mission. It is very easy to drive from mission to mission, and free parking is available at each mission site.

The missions frequently were havens for the indigenous people of the area - and they had land for farming as part of the missions.  The indigenous people learned Spanish and the Catholic religion at the missions.  It is worth your while to visit at least one of the missions to understand the culture.  

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San Antonio is the second largest city (by population) in Texas - with only Houston having more people.  It is also a great tourist spot.  The San Antonio Riverwalk is a great place to eat, drink, and enjoy life.  You can take excursion rides on the river (I recommend it).  

It is also the home to USAA - a large insurance company that caters to military families and has been rated nationally as one of the best places to work.  

It also is the headquarters for H-E-B groceries (the initials come from the founder’s name - Howard E. Butt).  There are also several universities in San Antonio.

I have been to San Antonio, and I highly recommend it.  The Alamo is a worthy site as are the Mission Churches, and the River Walk. (I am planning a trip to San Antonio with a friend who doesn’t drive later this spring before it gets hot!!). 

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LOVE WINS

LOVE TRANSFORMS

KAREN ANNE WHITE, ©, MARCH 6, 2023