Alamo

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

Believing San Antonio to be too isolated to defend successfully, Houston sent Jim Bowie to withdraw the garrison stationed there.

The Alamo was an 18th-century Spanish colonial mission located in San Antonio, Texas.

Believing San Antonio to be too isolated to defend successfully, Houston sent Jim Bowie to withdraw the garrison stationed there.

The encirclement was not secure, and Travis (who assumed command when Bowie became ill) sent three riders out to fetch aid.

Reports have it that Travis died early in the battle, while Bowie fought from his sickbed for a short time.

With some captured Mexican artillery and hard work, the garrison had already begun shoring up the crumbling mission.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

With some captured Mexican artillery and hard work, the garrison had already begun shoring up the crumbling mission.

He then began a round-the-clock bombardment to which the defenders were barely able to respond.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

It was the site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Texas Revolution, which involved Texans fighting for independence from Mexico.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

The Alamo was an 18th-century Spanish colonial mission located in San Antonio, Texas.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

With some captured Mexican artillery and hard work, the garrison had already begun shoring up the crumbling mission.

Once inside, they had the Texans so outnumbered that the conclusion was foregone.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

The victorious Mexicans spared some 20 women, children, and African-American slaves.

Once inside, they had the Texans so outnumbered that the conclusion was foregone.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

Only an overly eager soldier's cry alerted the garrison to the imminent danger before the attack was upon them.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

Santa Anna quickly ordered his force, numbering 4,000 to 6,000 men, to surround the Alamo.

Mexican sources state that many of the defenders, possibly as many as half, fled to the southeast but were ridden down by Mexican cavalry waiting for such a move.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

By 8:00 A.M., it was all over.

They had cannon, but gunpowder was in painfully short supply.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

The Alamo was an 18th-century Spanish colonial mission located in San Antonio, Texas.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

Houston then sent a young firebrand named William Travis to order the garrison's withdrawal, but Travis too fell in with Bowie's dream.

They had cannon, but gunpowder was in painfully short supply.

Houston then sent a young firebrand named William Travis to order the garrison's withdrawal, but Travis too fell in with Bowie's dream.

The Alamo was an 18th-century Spanish colonial mission located in San Antonio, Texas.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

The Alamo was an 18th-century Spanish colonial mission located in San Antonio, Texas.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

Bowie, however, became enamored of an abandoned mission in the town that had served for decades as a barracks for Mexican troops: the mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo.

Believing San Antonio to be too isolated to defend successfully, Houston sent Jim Bowie to withdraw the garrison stationed there.

In answer to his appeals, 32 men rode in from Gonzales and forced their way at night through the incomplete investment.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

He then began a round-the-clock bombardment to which the defenders were barely able to respond.

With some captured Mexican artillery and hard work, the garrison had already begun shoring up the crumbling mission.

In the darkness, the Mexican troops quietly positioned themselves for a dawn attack.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

Once inside, they had the Texans so outnumbered that the conclusion was foregone.

The victorious Mexicans spared some 20 women, children, and African-American slaves.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

Various estimates put the number of Mexican Army casualties at anywhere from 600 to 2,000.

The encirclement was not secure, and Travis (who assumed command when Bowie became ill) sent three riders out to fetch aid.

Believing San Antonio to be too isolated to defend successfully, Houston sent Jim Bowie to withdraw the garrison stationed there.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

It was the site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Texas Revolution, which involved Texans fighting for independence from Mexico.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

It was the site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Texas Revolution, which involved Texans fighting for independence from Mexico.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

By 8:00 A.M., it was all over.

Santa Anna quickly ordered his force, numbering 4,000 to 6,000 men, to surround the Alamo.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

On the night of March 5, the bombardment ceased.

Mexican sources state that many of the defenders, possibly as many as half, fled to the southeast but were ridden down by Mexican cavalry waiting for such a move.

The Alamo was an 18th-century Spanish colonial mission located in San Antonio, Texas.

All 187 Texan defenders, including Bowie and Crockett, were killed.

It was the site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Texas Revolution, which involved Texans fighting for independence from Mexico.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

They had cannon, but gunpowder was in painfully short supply.

In answer to his appeals, 32 men rode in from Gonzales and forced their way at night through the incomplete investment.

Santa Anna quickly ordered his force, numbering 4,000 to 6,000 men, to surround the Alamo.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

Thus, the defense numbered about 187 men; the exact count varies.

In answer to his appeals, 32 men rode in from Gonzales and forced their way at night through the incomplete investment.

The encirclement was not secure, and Travis (who assumed command when Bowie became ill) sent three riders out to fetch aid.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

Only an overly eager soldier's cry alerted the garrison to the imminent danger before the attack was upon them.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

The encirclement was not secure, and Travis (who assumed command when Bowie became ill) sent three riders out to fetch aid.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

Mexican sources state that many of the defenders, possibly as many as half, fled to the southeast but were ridden down by Mexican cavalry waiting for such a move.

Mexican sources state that many of the defenders, possibly as many as half, fled to the southeast but were ridden down by Mexican cavalry waiting for such a move.

Mexican sources state that many of the defenders, possibly as many as half, fled to the southeast but were ridden down by Mexican cavalry waiting for such a move.

Houston then sent a young firebrand named William Travis to order the garrison's withdrawal, but Travis too fell in with Bowie's dream.

Reports have it that Travis died early in the battle, while Bowie fought from his sickbed for a short time.

Bowie sent word to Houston that he would stay and defend the Alamo.

Bowie, however, became enamored of an abandoned mission in the town that had served for decades as a barracks for Mexican troops: the mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

Although Mexican general Antonio López de Santa Anna's forces eventually crushed the defenders at the Alamo, the 13-day siege quickly became enshrined in the public's mind as one of America's most heroic moments.

In answer to his appeals, 32 men rode in from Gonzales and forced their way at night through the incomplete investment.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

Houston then sent a young firebrand named William Travis to order the garrison's withdrawal, but Travis too fell in with Bowie's dream.

Bowie sent word to Houston that he would stay and defend the Alamo.

With some captured Mexican artillery and hard work, the garrison had already begun shoring up the crumbling mission.

The victorious Mexicans spared some 20 women, children, and African-American slaves.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

The men inside the church building held out the longest but did not have the firepower to survive.

The victorious Mexicans spared some 20 women, children, and African-American slaves.

Bowie, however, became enamored of an abandoned mission in the town that had served for decades as a barracks for Mexican troops: the mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo.

Believing San Antonio to be too isolated to defend successfully, Houston sent Jim Bowie to withdraw the garrison stationed there.

Believing San Antonio to be too isolated to defend successfully, Houston sent Jim Bowie to withdraw the garrison stationed there.

With some captured Mexican artillery and hard work, the garrison had already begun shoring up the crumbling mission.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

The darkness, coupled with the inexperience of many of the Mexican troops, combined to make the opening assault unsuccessful, but the Mexicans reformed and on their second attempt, breached the walls.

The walls were originally built to keep out the Comanche, but they were not sufficiently stout to withstand artillery fire for any great length of time.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

Mexican sources state that many of the defenders, possibly as many as half, fled to the southeast but were ridden down by Mexican cavalry waiting for such a move.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

It was the site of one of the most dramatic battles of the Texas Revolution, which involved Texans fighting for independence from Mexico.

Just more than 150 men, including legendary frontiersman Davy Crockett, were in the Alamo when Santa Anna arrived on February 23, 1836.

Houston then sent a young firebrand named William Travis to order the garrison's withdrawal, but Travis too fell in with Bowie's dream.

It was an impossibly small force to defend a perimeter encompassing the church and two sets of barracks around a very large open courtyard.

The encirclement was not secure, and Travis (who assumed command when Bowie became ill) sent three riders out to fetch aid.

The victorious Mexicans spared some 20 women, children, and African-American slaves.

Bowie, however, became enamored of an abandoned mission in the town that had served for decades as a barracks for Mexican troops: the mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo.

In the early days of the Texas Revolution, a provisional government had been established to organize resistance against the Mexicans, and Sam Houston was named the commander of the Texan Army.

Bowie, however, became enamored of an abandoned mission in the town that had served for decades as a barracks for Mexican troops: the mission San Antonio de Valero, better known as the Alamo.