Custer at The Alamo
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An extra 250 men is not even close to enough.
Santa Anna started with about 1800, Although he lost several in skirmishes before the main battle and during the seige, before the final assault his troops were reinforced twice getting to about 3100. The Texans had 189.
I don't know whether or not its is true, and it's probably just hollywood glamor, but according to the various movies, a sniping attempt on Santa Anna's life was made early in the siege, but missed. Maybe have that succeed, as his command staff at the beginning was supposedly very disorganized.
Santa Anna started with about 1800, Although he lost several in skirmishes before the main battle and during the seige, before the final assault his troops were reinforced twice getting to about 3100. The Texans had 189.
I don't know whether or not its is true, and it's probably just hollywood glamor, but according to the various movies, a sniping attempt on Santa Anna's life was made early in the siege, but missed. Maybe have that succeed, as his command staff at the beginning was supposedly very disorganized.
It's in the books too, so it may not be just 'Hollywood glamor'. The Texans also took a cannon shot at a house with a big flag on it which turned out to be SA's HQ. Sadly, he wasn't in it when the cannonball came crashing in...
I read it, not a bad story. Technically, this should be in ASB.
As for the Texans' chances... well, the initial assault will do a lot worse. It was damn near stymied in OTL because the Texans were prepped and ready... the cannons were armed, and many of the men on the walls had several muskets loaded and ready. So when the final attack came, the Texans let loose with a hell of a lot of firepower in a short time, and the Mexicans were rocked back on their heels for a short time. So, assuming that there are 250 more men in the Alamo with more advanced weaponry that can put out more firepower, they might just knock back the attack.
However... SA has other options. He'll be receiving bigger cannons a couple of days, and can batter down the Alamo from a comfortable distance. Or he can starve them out. The Alamo can't win in these circumstances.
This belongs in the ASB section.
250 men with breechloading rifles would destroy Santa Anna's army. Them plus the 189 Texans would do it easily. Even with 3,100 men, the firepower advantage is way too great; plus breechloaders can fire prone; plus the effective range of the Springfield Model 1873 carbine was much greater than the Brown Bess muskets of the Mexicans (500-600 yards compared to 150 yards).
The Springfields also effectively outranged the Mexican artillery. (That is, the Springfields could hit artillery crewmen at say 400 yards. The cannon could fire ball shot out to 400 yards or more, but wouldn't hit anything.)
250 men with breechloading rifles would destroy Santa Anna's army. Them plus the 189 Texans would do it easily. Even with 3,100 men, the firepower advantage is way too great; plus breechloaders can fire prone; plus the effective range of the Springfield Model 1873 carbine was much greater than the Brown Bess muskets of the Mexicans (500-600 yards compared to 150 yards).
The Springfields also effectively outranged the Mexican artillery. (That is, the Springfields could hit artillery crewmen at say 400 yards. The cannon could fire ball shot out to 400 yards or more, but wouldn't hit anything.)
refugio & coleto though they were part of the Goliad Campaign & the naval battles of the Brazos River & Galveston Harbour
how come no one has taken on this POD? whatever chaos came next would be fantastic.
The 7th Cavalry would, until their ammunition and food ran out or carbines jammed in the heat (a major flaw from Little Bighorn) be a formidable addition to the garrison. Custer, whatever happened in his last battle, had an impeccable war record during the Civil War, and the 7th were a well trained force. The quantity of the garrison would have more than doubled-and that quantity would be professional soldiers, armed with relatively accurate Springfields.
The reaction of Custer and his troops afterwards to having defended Texas, though, would be quite interesting. The thought of a Union war hero's reaction to having defended a slaveholding republic in the south would be something to behold. Especially as the 7th would have provided more of the Alamo's garrison than actual Texan volunteers.
The reaction of Custer and his troops afterwards to having defended Texas, though, would be quite interesting. The thought of a Union war hero's reaction to having defended a slaveholding republic in the south would be something to behold. Especially as the 7th would have provided more of the Alamo's garrison than actual Texan volunteers.
all of them? SA had fairly small cannon during the siege of the Alamo, but he did bigger guns on the way, 12 pounders IIRC; not sure what the range on those were, or if he had any bigger guns on the way. Ironically, the Alamo defenders had bigger guns than SA, including an 18 pounder, but not near enough powder and shot to use them much...
edit: Never mind, found in one of my Alamo books that the 12 lbr had a max range of 230 yards. However, SA did have a couple of howitzers that could apparently hurl shells over 1000 yards, although accuracy was dismal...
Well as others have said, this should go to ASB or books and media.
That said it would be interesting. Even more so if the 7th had a full baggage train for the extra ammo and supplies. If they should survive the siege, I will wonder how the press will react to what the future might have in store for the States and an alternate ACW.
That said it would be interesting. Even more so if the 7th had a full baggage train for the extra ammo and supplies. If they should survive the siege, I will wonder how the press will react to what the future might have in store for the States and an alternate ACW.
How many of Custer's men had revolvers? They wouldn't be much use with Mexicans still outside the walls, but if they broke into the Alamo, a trooper with a handgun could exact a heavy toll on a massed enemy. Provided the 7th had sufficient ammo, they could cause such carnage that SAs conscript troops might break and run.
I believe the OP said 250 troops from the 7th. Presumably that was the 5 companies that Custer had with him at OTL Little Bighorn. Company B under Benteen was guarding the ammo train. So maybe the 250 show up at the Alamo with only the rounds they had on them in OTL. And that could make all the difference.
I confess I really don't know how the battle went historically. All I ever saw was the movie with John Wayne, Richard Widmark, et al. And that was just Hollywood
I believe the OP said 250 troops from the 7th. Presumably that was the 5 companies that Custer had with him at OTL Little Bighorn. Company B under Benteen was guarding the ammo train. So maybe the 250 show up at the Alamo with only the rounds they had on them in OTL. And that could make all the difference.
I confess I really don't know how the battle went historically. All I ever saw was the movie with John Wayne, Richard Widmark, et al. And that was just Hollywood