THE ALAMO


The leaves of the cottonwoods hung motionless
As outside the walls Santa Anna’s horde closed in.
A small band of Texans watched and waited
Preoccupied by combat and how life would end.

The battle raged from building to building
Till the old mission’s chapel was the last to fall.
Over 180 Texans died fighting to the man
Never to yield, surrender or crawl.

Six weeks later Sam Houston rallied his forces
With “Remember the Alamo” as their battle cry.
Attacking and defeating Santa Anna’s army
To win independence for Texas or die.

The Spanish word for “cottonwood” is “Alamo”
The long time popular name for the mission.
Today the stout-walled old chapel still stands
Preserved as a shrine of sacrifice and tradition.

By Tom Zart

Good poem.

Thank you for your time and helpful reply.

Tom Zart

quote:

Originally posted by Thrust_0311:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H99AXupPgmk

There are few things in military history that I find as absolutely fascinating as the Battle of the Alamo. While I have been to Alamo Plaza many times and the San Antonio Riverwalk, nothing depics the story of the Alamo in quite the same way as the movie 13 Days to Glory with Raoul Julia, James Arness, Brian Keith, and Loren Green. There are few things in American history that are so filled with symbology as the seige of the Alamo. Santa Anna, with an army of 5000 mounted a seige lasting 13 days against a country mission manned by 185 men. Why the generalissimo didn't by-pass this worthless mission is enough to boggle any military mind. Still, before it was over those brave American roughnecks had slain Santa Anna's men at a rate of something like 19 to 1 and his own generals were decrying, "Any more such victories and we are ruined!" Nothing I have seen in the annals of warfare speaks of courage and valor like the Americans at the Alamo.

Within a matter of weeks General Sam Houston defeated "el supremo" at a mosquito infested swamp south of Houston in what is called "The Battle of San Jacinto". He only needed about 20 minutes to bring "el supremo's" career to a screeching halt. I have been to the top of the San Jacinto Monument, which is actually taller and prettier than the Washington Monument, and from which one can survey the entire San Jacinto Battlefield. But if anyone can possibly afford to visit The Alamo or San Jacinto this summer, I think it would be worth seeing.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AirDefndr1968,

The sad thing about the Alamo is that Travis was told to abandon the mission before Santa Anna ever got there. He disobeyed order's. The battle started around 3:30 am, and was over in 45 min. The battle was over before the sun rose. All of the documentaries you've seen that show the defenders fighting in daylight are done for dramatics. I get a feeling of reverence when I'm at the place. Then when I think of how the city wanted to level the "old eye sore back in 1912 to make San Antonio a new down town area. I wonder ,What were they thinking. An old maid/spinster, bought the site for practically nothing and gave it to the state of Texas or it wouldn't be here now. After the Alamo "El supremo" sent most of his army back to Mexico by way of the Rio Grand valley. He chased Huston for about 5 weeks then let himself be trapped on a peninsula with water on three sides. He had two choices, swim or fight. His army tried both. That didn't work out real well. He, "EL Supremo", Ran but was caught. Houston should have listened to his men and hung Santa Anna, He was a man without any Honor.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ordmate,

I prefer Travis and Bowie over Sam Houston by far. Houston got his victory, but so did Benedict Arnold. Houston wasn't of the same caliber as either of the others. Jim Bowie was a real fighter. Had he not been sick and died at the Alamo, who knows what other victories he would have had. He had a few amazing fights under his belt at that time.

Santa Anna did a better job at Buena Vista but his European-style army was outmoded.

quote:

Originally posted by ordmate:
The sad thing about the Alamo is that Travis was told to abandon the mission before Santa Anna ever got there. He disobeyed order's. The battle started around 3:30 am, and was over in 45 min. The battle was over before the sun rose. All of the documentaries you've seen that show the defenders fighting in daylight are done for dramatics. I get a feeling of reverence when I'm at the place. Then when I think of how the city wanted to level the "old eye sore back in 1912 to make San Antonio a new down town area. I wonder ,What were they thinking. An old maid/spinster, bought the site for practically nothing and gave it to the state of Texas or it wouldn't be here now. After the Alamo "El supremo" sent most of his army back to Mexico by way of the Rio Grand valley. He chased Huston for about 5 weeks then let himself be trapped on a peninsula with water on three sides. He had two choices, swim or fight. His army tried both. That didn't work out real well. He, "EL Supremo", Ran but was caught. Houston should have listened to his men and hung Santa Anna, He was a man without any Honor.

Santa Anna eventually lost an arm (or was it a leg?) and had to face much disgrace. He ultimately died an ignoble death. By not hanging him Houston denied Santa Anna the one thing that I'm sure he would have welcomed - a quick end. Still maybe we would all do well to remember to judge not, lest we be judged.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: AirDefndr1968,

quote:

Originally posted by Thrust_0311:
I prefer Travis and Bowie over Sam Houston by far. Houston got his victory, but so did Benedict Arnold. Houston wasn't of the same caliber as either of the others. Jim Bowie was a real fighter. Had he not been sick and died at the Alamo, who knows what other victories he would have had. He had a few amazing fights under his belt at that time.

Santa Anna did a better job at Buena Vista but his European-style army was outmoded.

The movie 13 Days to Glory portrays the several characters fairly realisticly. Houston was depicted as a rather laid-back character with very little inclination to fight. In fact, at one point he was called a coward, which was a terrible insult in those days. But they took pains to present an accurate picture, although I do question the way the characters of Travis and Crockett are portrayed. Still, the movie is worth seeing.

quote:

Originally posted by AirDefndr1968:

quote:

Originally posted by ordmate:
The sad thing about the Alamo is that Travis was told to abandon the mission before Santa Anna ever got there. He disobeyed order's. The battle started around 3:30 am, and was over in 45 min. The battle was over before the sun rose. All of the documentaries you've seen that show the defenders fighting in daylight are done for dramatics. I get a feeling of reverence when I'm at the place. Then when I think of how the city wanted to level the "old eye sore back in 1912 to make San Antonio a new down town area. I wonder ,What were they thinking. An old maid/spinster, bought the site for practically nothing and gave it to the state of Texas or it wouldn't be here now. After the Alamo "El supremo" sent most of his army back to Mexico by way of the Rio Grand valley. He chased Huston for about 5 weeks then let himself be trapped on a peninsula with water on three sides. He had two choices, swim or fight. His army tried both. That didn't work out real well. He, "EL Supremo", Ran but was caught. Houston should have listened to his men and hung Santa Anna, He was a man without any Honor.

Santa Anna eventually lost an arm (or was it a leg?) and had to face much disgrace. He ultimately died an ignoble death. By not hanging him Houston denied Santa Anna the one thing that I'm sure he would have welcomed - a quick end. Still maybe we would all do well remember to judge not, lest we be judged.

I was not judging anyone. Only repeating what has been written. I feel I was correct in saying Santa Anna was without Honor. HE gave the order to play the Deguello, NO Quarter, No prisoners. It is my understanding that he gave the order to the troops to kill the prisoners at Goliad and had stated that he would do the same to Houston. He did lose a leg. You must remember,He fought against Mexico in thier fight for Independance. He changed sides to fight against the spanish. When the war was over He did not get the appointment he wanted so He revolted against the government and the rest is History. Santa Anna was a prima donna who cared for no one but himself. Travis was well known for disobeying orders.He was not a soldier. He had been a school teacher and a lawyer. Had he done as instructed and went to Goliad and joined up with Fannin there may have been a different outcome there. I say that as I do not believe Travis would have let fannin surrender. Again, I'm not being judgemental just stating history as I remember it.

There isn't hardly anything about Santa Anna that was good. He broke treaties with our country, Texas, twice and we actually fought two wars with him before the US got involved.

Thrust
Santa Ana was one of the wheels in the Gadsden treaty & purchase. He wanted money more than territory. he was banished from Mexico in 1855 ,one year after Mexico recieved the payment for the Gadsden purchase.I have often wondered how much money he liberated from Mexico when he left. I have always viewed mexico as the personafication of political corruption. If histroy is to belived most of the EL Presideties were assininated or ran out of office untill the last fifty years.

Santa Anna died broke and without hope. I believe he lived in Cuba for a while after being deposed. Regardless, he was indeed only the latest in a line of dictators. The funny thing is that he actually did get elected several times. Originally, it was because everyone thought that his would be a liberal rule but that turned out not to be the case.

Even if Travis wasn't the brightest bulb in the box he did realize that left untouched the Alamo, no matter how many men there, would be thorn in side, ie, of Santa Anna's line of supply and he would have to deal with it sooner or later.
I agree if Bowie had been a well man just think of the damage raiding parties under his command, staged from the Alamo, could have done.
Fannin would have to deal with things on his own by not coming into the Alamo. Actually its knida stupid putting yourself in harm's way without making some kind of provisions of defense. Especially with known superior forces in the region.
Santa Anna knew that he had to make examples of the rebels. You have to remember he had been fighting his own people before Texas broke out in rebellion. Its a sad fact that too many times martyrs are made out of executed prisoners who are rebels or freedom fighters. Something he should have remembered.

A dead hero is a martyr to those who he died for, hence all real Texans and Southerners honor their dead and say **** PC thought-police.

quote:

Originally posted by JPope:
Even if Travis wasn't the brightest bulb in the box he did realize that left untouched the Alamo, no matter how many men there, would be thorn in side, ie, of Santa Anna's line of supply and he would have to deal with it sooner or later.
I agree if Bowie had been a well man just think of the damage raiding parties under his command, staged from the Alamo, could have done.
Fannin would have to deal with things on his own by not coming into the Alamo. Actually its knida stupid putting yourself in harm's way without making some kind of provisions of defense. Especially with known superior forces in the region.
Santa Anna knew that he had to make examples of the rebels. You have to remember he had been fighting his own people before Texas broke out in rebellion. Its a sad fact that too many times martyrs are made out of executed prisoners who are rebels or freedom fighters. Something he should have remembered.

Darrly, would you say that Fannin took the more Intelligent way of handling his fate by surrendering at Goliad and haveing his men shot down like dog's Rather than going to the Alamo? I doubt that five or six hundred men would have made a differance at the alamo. The battle might have lasted two or three hours instead of fourty five min. what provisions for defence did he consider when he surrenderd. Sorry my friend ,but I have to say,It's rather stupid to surrender and have your men be slaughtered. Strickly from a personal view, I would have prefered to go down fighting than being shot down without any chance of defending my self. That is what fannin did for his troops. Can any of you gentlemen give me the names of five men from Fannin's troops,Just off the top of your head's without looking them up? Can you give me the name's of five men from the Alamo. That is the fate that Fannin bestowed on his men. Everybody Remembers The Alamo, very few people remember Goliad.If I were to find any fault with the leaders of Texas at that time, it would be that they didn't seem to grasp the fact that you can't fight an honorable war with a man without honor. Witch is the same problem our politiclly correct leaders have not taken a lesson from in the past one hundred and seventy years

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ordmate,