Remember the Alamo!

Anniversary of Malevolent Mexican Massacre at Mission!

Today is the anniversary of the beginning of the fateful siege of the old Spanish mission in San Antonio. The Alamo had been occupied by Texican freedom fighters after the city was captured. Occupied by less than 200 men, it was besieged by a force of Mexicans ten times greater. And yet, they refused to surrender or flee.

Some may call Travis a fool, who threw away his own life and the lives of his followers for a chance at fleeting glory. Others say he was a patriot, willing to sacrifice his very life for freedom.

For 11 days the outnumbered Texicans would hold out. Finally, low on ammunition, they were unable to repulse the final assault on the walls of the mission. The Mexicans killed every man of fighting age in the mission, even to the sick and wounded.

Even though he had ordered the mission abandoned and destroyed, General Sam Houston took advantage of the delay of the Mexican advance by the defenders of the Alamo. He used the time to put distance between his fledgling army and the forces of the dictator, Santa Anna. The time thus gained was used to maneuver Santa Anna, self-styled "Napoleon of the West", into making camp on the banks of the San Jacinto River.

[Editor's Notes: Yes, its a bit jingoistic. So were the times back then. Most of it is true. But, if all you know about the Alamo is the story told in the movies... well, you're missing out on some good stuff. Oh, by the way, I really liked the alliterative title on this one. How about you?]