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The Alamo Battle Analysis

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The purpose of this paper is to discuss an alternate ending to one of the greatest battles in Texas history, the battle of the Alamo. This paper will show how using Intellectual standards and critical seasoning can be used to conduct battle analysis as well as develop and alternate outcome to a historical battle. The turning point in the fight for Texas' independence from Mexico was the fight at the Alamo again Santa Ana. If Santa Ana would not have won that decisive victory over the Texas militia at the Alamo, the fight for Independence from Mexico would have possibly taken longer to rally the troops. Before the siege at the Alamo, Santa Ana used his understanding of the battlefield by properly using his scouts and strategically placing cannons …show more content…

By 1835 there were some 30,000 former Americans, plus some 5000 slaves, living in Texas. Concerned, the central government of Mexico, tried to accomplish three things: Free the slaves, bring Texas under direct rule of Mexico City and halt immigration from the United States. Rather than submit, the colonists revolted and declared independence. The defenders of the Alamo were led by William Travis and James Bowie, They were later joined by famed backwoodsman and former member of Congress Davy Crockett. The Mexican government, determined to restore order, sent General Antonio Lopez De Santa Anna, and over 6,000 soldiers north to San Antonio and the Alamo. The army reached San Antonio on 23 February 1836. At this time, Bowie was quite ill and Travis led the defense. For the next 13 days, Santa Anna and his army remained outside the range of the Alamo's' cannons. Finally in the early morning of 6 March his forces attacked. Never meant to be a fort, the Alamo fell by 8:00 AM. Angered at the resistance, Santa Anna had ordered that there be no quarter and no mercy. Those defenders taken alive were killed outside the mission and all the defenders bodies were burned. The only survivors were Susan Dickerson, …show more content…

That instant when the Alamo fell, intertwined Santa Ana's fate with the Alamo. (LSJunction, 1999)

What if Santa Ana did not strategically place forces around the Alamo and reinforcements had come to aid the Alamo? The Alamo was never intended to be a defensive position by any means, but was meant to be a mission. The Mission San Antonio De Valero, established in the early 18th century, was situated along the San Antonio River. By 1800, the missionaries were displaced and their land was seized for military purposes. Occupying soldiers called the Mission-turned-garrison El Alamo after the cottonwood trees surrounding it. Eventually the mission was officially renamed The Alamo. First Spanish soldiers, then Mexican soldiers occupied The Alamo. With only 200 Texan soldiers defending the Alamo, Santa Ana lost 600 soldiers during the 13 day siege of the Alamo. Reinforcements would have turned the tide in favor of the Texans. William B. Travis wrote a letter to the people of Texas and all Americans. “I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under 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

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