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Chapter 3 It begins
Chapter 3. It Begins
The Mexicans are coming! The Mexicans are coming!- Unknown Texans soldier 1836
Today is a good day to die!- Colonel James Bowie 1836
Retreat? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.- Presidente Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna 1836
Midnight on March 6th is when the true battle of the Alamo commenced. On Santa Anna's order 1275 men advanced towards the Alamo's walls, 2/3rds would advance upon the northern wall while 1/3rd would make their way upon the eastern wall. These two positions were the most vulnerable among the Alamo and had the least amount of artillery. However, multiple issues prevented the night assault from succeeding. Due to the multiple men garrisoned within the Alamo, each soldier could take a shift upon the walls instead of having to maintain positions all day. Due to this a significant increase of men were stationed among the walls at all times, meanwhile they would be combat ready all throughout the siege. An additional problem with the Mexican plan was the reliance of the advanced gaurd to eliminate sentries before notice. When arriving at rifle range the front line troops were immediately met by multiple sentries who fired upon sight, meanwhile alerting the rest of the Alamo of the incoming assault. Within minutes the defenders went to positions and artillery fire commanded by Fannin met the approaching Mexican columns dead at night. At least 50 Mexicans died before reaching the walls. To the credit of the Mexican army their advance continued unfaltered, soon reaching the perimeter of the Alamo and preparing to enter over ladders, while the Mexican artillery provided covering fire. Unfortunately for them establishing a breach point proved to be the most difficult task of the battle. Due to many recruits experiencing battle for the first time, most panicked under enemy fire and attacked blindly, often shooting fellow recruits and officers. These conditions were made worse by the onslaught of rifle and shotgun fire at close range by the Texans. The first wave was a complete failure, resulting in multiple bodies and a few haphazard ladders. The second wave met a similar outcome though a few Mexicans were able to reach the top of the walls, only to be pushed back in close quarters combat. The third wave however met some success with a breach. Colonels Cos and Morales, who commanded the northwest and east forces, decided to regroup and join Colonel Duque in a direct attack on the north, they were joined by 100 troops from Santa Anna's reserve unit. Here many Mexican forces were able to find various weak points throughout the wall and emerge through. Soon many Mexicans were able to emerge over the walls and engage in hand to hand combat. It was here were the Texans held supreme due to the rough fighting styles of many of the American volunteers. All around the heroes of the Alamo could be seen in enormous feats of combat; Bowie would slay many Mexicans singlehandidly with his infamous knife, Crockett often resorted to using his own rifle as a club due to low times to reload, while Travis took his time eliminating the enemy in close quarters with his deadly shotgun. When reinforcements arrived from the other portions of the walls, the Texans were able to push the Mexican army back over the walls, where they headed due north in a massive retreat.
View attachment 284152
"Fight for Freedom" by Robert Jenkins
Not wanting to retreat from the rebels and be seen as a coward and a failure, Santa Anna decided to personally charge against the north wall with his remaining 400 reserves and ordered 300 of his remaining cavalry to dismount and join the final rush against the enemy. Regrouping with the various survivors almost 1000 Mexicans rushed onto the North wall at once. The Texans were overwhelmed by this massive force and were forced to abandon positions. Artillery from the south fired upon the approaching Mexican troops while most men on the ground rushed to make a last stand at the chapel. At first, all seemed lost and that the Texans efforts were for naught. However the outcome of the entire revolution would change when Davy Crockett noticed Santa Anna standing front and center of the approaching infantry in his bright flashy, uniform. Taking his time to reload his rifle, Crockett aimed dead center at the most hated man in all of Texas. He breathed, then fired.
The Mexicans are coming! The Mexicans are coming!- Unknown Texans soldier 1836
Today is a good day to die!- Colonel James Bowie 1836
Retreat? In our moment of triumph? I think you overestimate their chances.- Presidente Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna 1836
Midnight on March 6th is when the true battle of the Alamo commenced. On Santa Anna's order 1275 men advanced towards the Alamo's walls, 2/3rds would advance upon the northern wall while 1/3rd would make their way upon the eastern wall. These two positions were the most vulnerable among the Alamo and had the least amount of artillery. However, multiple issues prevented the night assault from succeeding. Due to the multiple men garrisoned within the Alamo, each soldier could take a shift upon the walls instead of having to maintain positions all day. Due to this a significant increase of men were stationed among the walls at all times, meanwhile they would be combat ready all throughout the siege. An additional problem with the Mexican plan was the reliance of the advanced gaurd to eliminate sentries before notice. When arriving at rifle range the front line troops were immediately met by multiple sentries who fired upon sight, meanwhile alerting the rest of the Alamo of the incoming assault. Within minutes the defenders went to positions and artillery fire commanded by Fannin met the approaching Mexican columns dead at night. At least 50 Mexicans died before reaching the walls. To the credit of the Mexican army their advance continued unfaltered, soon reaching the perimeter of the Alamo and preparing to enter over ladders, while the Mexican artillery provided covering fire. Unfortunately for them establishing a breach point proved to be the most difficult task of the battle. Due to many recruits experiencing battle for the first time, most panicked under enemy fire and attacked blindly, often shooting fellow recruits and officers. These conditions were made worse by the onslaught of rifle and shotgun fire at close range by the Texans. The first wave was a complete failure, resulting in multiple bodies and a few haphazard ladders. The second wave met a similar outcome though a few Mexicans were able to reach the top of the walls, only to be pushed back in close quarters combat. The third wave however met some success with a breach. Colonels Cos and Morales, who commanded the northwest and east forces, decided to regroup and join Colonel Duque in a direct attack on the north, they were joined by 100 troops from Santa Anna's reserve unit. Here many Mexican forces were able to find various weak points throughout the wall and emerge through. Soon many Mexicans were able to emerge over the walls and engage in hand to hand combat. It was here were the Texans held supreme due to the rough fighting styles of many of the American volunteers. All around the heroes of the Alamo could be seen in enormous feats of combat; Bowie would slay many Mexicans singlehandidly with his infamous knife, Crockett often resorted to using his own rifle as a club due to low times to reload, while Travis took his time eliminating the enemy in close quarters with his deadly shotgun. When reinforcements arrived from the other portions of the walls, the Texans were able to push the Mexican army back over the walls, where they headed due north in a massive retreat.
View attachment 284152
"Fight for Freedom" by Robert Jenkins
Not wanting to retreat from the rebels and be seen as a coward and a failure, Santa Anna decided to personally charge against the north wall with his remaining 400 reserves and ordered 300 of his remaining cavalry to dismount and join the final rush against the enemy. Regrouping with the various survivors almost 1000 Mexicans rushed onto the North wall at once. The Texans were overwhelmed by this massive force and were forced to abandon positions. Artillery from the south fired upon the approaching Mexican troops while most men on the ground rushed to make a last stand at the chapel. At first, all seemed lost and that the Texans efforts were for naught. However the outcome of the entire revolution would change when Davy Crockett noticed Santa Anna standing front and center of the approaching infantry in his bright flashy, uniform. Taking his time to reload his rifle, Crockett aimed dead center at the most hated man in all of Texas. He breathed, then fired.
- Kaiser Chris
- Word Count: 750