“The Alamo in 1836”

“United States cannon lost in Rio Grande in 1842, presented by Judge A. P. Spohn of Zapata, Texas”

“Carronade – This cannon was used in the battle of the Alamo, probably on the west wall. It was made inoperative by General Santa Anna before he left for San Jacinto. This type of cannon was made in Carron, Scotland in the 1790s. ~ Donor – Jim Maverick”

“Spanish cannon presented by Mrs. Albert Maverick”

“In loving memory of Anna Lindheimer Boynton, member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas”

“Alamo and Grounds – owned by the State of Texas ~ Custodianship and maintenance by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas”

“Erected in grateful recognition of the supreme act of heroism of the thirty two men from Gonzales who gave their lives in the Alamo in response to the appeal of Travis.”

“Colonel William B. Travis (born August 1, 1809) sacrificed his life for Texas liberty while defending the north wall of the Alamo in the vicinity of the present day federal building (across Houston) on March 6, 1836.”

“March 6, 1836 – March 6, 1986” – Commemorating the sesquicentennial of the battle of the Alamo by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. “I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch…” – William Barret Travis Lt. Col. Comdt.

“Letter from the Alamo: Commandancy of the Alamo, Bexar, Feby. 24th 1836 – To the people of Texas & all Americans in the world — Fellow citizens & compatriots ~ I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans and Santa Anna – I have sustained a continual bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man – the enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls – I shall never surrender or retreat then, I call on you in the name of liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character to come to our aid, with all dispatch – the enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country – victory or death. – William Barret Travis Lt. Col. Comdt. p.s. The Lord is on our side – when the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn – we have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of beeves. – Travis

“Founding of the Mission and Origin of Name ~ The San Antonio de Padua Mission was founded in San Antonio in 1716 by the Franciscan father, Antonio Olivares, and after merging with the San Francisco Solano Mission in 1718, it was officially founded as the San Antonio de Valero Mission. The present site was selected in 1724. It was named in honor of Saint Anthony de Padua and the Duke of Valero, a Spanish Viceroy. The cornerstone of this chapel was laid May 8, 1744. Founded for the purpose of Christianizing and educating the Indians, it later became a fortress and was the scene of many conflicts prior to the immortal siege of 1836. It activity as a mission began to wane after 1765 and it was abandoned in 1793 and the mission archives were removed to San Fernando, the parish church during Mexico’s war for independence from Spain, a company of Spanish soldiers from Alamo del Parras, Coahuila, Mexico, occupied the abandoned mission, using its buildings as barracks for a number of years. From this association probably originated the name, “Alamo”. According to some historians, the name “Alamo” was derived from a grove of cottonwood trees growing on the banks of the Acequia, “Alamo” being the Spanish word for cottonwood.”

“The Defense of the Alamo – ‘Thermopylar has its messenger of defeat; the Alamo had none.’ – The Alamo in 1836 consisted of this church, the convent and a large rectangular area or plaza, an enclosure of about six acres surrounded by walls with barracks on the west side of the plaza. On February 23, 1836, Colonel William Barret Travis entered the Alamo with an approximate force of two hundred men. The siege commanded by General Santa Anna and an army of several thousand Mexican soldiers lasted nearly two weeks. At dawn on Sunday, March 6, the final assault was made, and in less than an hour the defender’s slain, later the bodies were buried by order of General Santa Anna. This victory in defeat was the means of uniting the colonists in a determined effort to resist further oppression and by armed force secure permanent independence. ‘It was here that a gallant few, the bravest of the brave, threw themselves between the enemy and the settlements, determined never to surrender nor retreat. They redeemed their pledge to Texas with the forfeit of their lives – they fell the chosen sacrifice to Texas freedom.’ – Newell”

“The Mission Period – 1716-1793”

“The Decline of Spanish Rule – 1794-1821”