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Home , Albert Martin (soldier), Buddy Ebsen, James Bowie, Moses Rose

Torch Magazine • Spring 2016 Defenders of the Alamo: Who Were They, and Why Did They Do It? By Michael E. Anderson

This article concerns a group of men Two of the defenders became famous who, one hundred and seventy seven to modern times: David Crockett (he years after their deaths, still remain hated being called “Davy”) and worthy of our awe and respect. Finding . I still remember “The a match in history equal to their bravery Adventures of ,” with and sacrifice would likely turn up only and Buddy Ebsen, on the professional soldiers, which these men television show Presents. were not. I speak of the defenders of But what about the other one hundred the Alamo during ’s war for and eighty one defenders? Who were independence from in 1836. they? What were they doing in Texas? And most important: why were they Michael E. Anderson willing to give their lives? For years, A native of Newmarket, N.H., Michael I write to introduce you to some Anderson is a 1965 graduate of the the mostly Phillips Exeter Academy. He holds a B.S. remarkable men, mostly very young, degree from Tufts University in Medford, American who gave their lives for a cause. They Massachusetts, and a D.D.S. from the were common men exhibiting uncom- University of Maryland in Baltimore. colonists mon valor, ordinary men exhibiting As a practicing general dentist, he has extraordinary bravery. enjoyed his profession for almost 43 years. were given Mike is a diplomat of the American College of Dentists. free grants First, let us set the historical scene. Mike and his wife Jane reside in Starting in the eighteen twenties, the Hagerstown, Md. They have three grown of lush land, Mexican government, which had won children. Mike’s interests include reading, on which they its independence from Spain in 1821, trail hiking, and golf. He also has a special whole-heartedly encouraged coloniza- interest in both American and Napoleonic prospered. history. tion of its territory of Texas, in hopes of This paper was presented at the development and economic gain. For November meeting of the Hagerstown This event in American history is years, the mostly American colonists Torch Club in 2013. well known and has often written were given free grants of lush land, on about, glorified in books, television, which they prospered. All they had to and cinema. From February 23 to do was obey Mexican law and pay fair , 1836, one hundred and eighty taxes and fees. three men defended a broken down Catholic mission against a Mexican But by 1830, new colonists were army at least ten times larger. (Modern arriving uninvited, and they tended to historical research suggests that there show less respect for the Mexican may have been as many as two hundred government and its laws. For example, and fifty defenders, but whether we the new colonists usually ignored the accept the traditional or the revised requirement that immigrants convert headcount, they were vastly out- to Catholicism, and some found ways numbered.). The ending was a given: to circumvent Mexico’s 1829 abolition death by the sword. The defenders were of , such as writing contracts of reminded this nightly, as the Mexican employment with their slaves, signed army band played the Deguello (an with an “X,” for 99 years. (To my old Moorish battle anthem, loosely knowledge, the only known slave translated as “cut their throats”). owner at the Alamo was James Bowie.) 8 Torch Magazine • Spring 2016

On April 6, 1830, the Mexican right up to 5:30 a.m. on March 6, a unrepayable debt. They were not saints, government passed a law forbidding group of defenders not even half that nor a bunch of wallflowers. On trees all future immigration from the United size gave it their best. over Alabama, , Tennessee, and States and greatly curtailed the South Carolina was whittled “G.T.T.” colonists’ economic freedoms. The * * * –-Gone To Texas. abrogation of civil and state rights Who were these defenders? Most of throughout Mexico led to rebellion in them were very recent arrivals from the William Barrett Travis shared two places in 1835: Zacatecas and . They came from eighteen command with James Bowie at the Texas. After quelling the Zacatecas states and five foreign countries; beginning of the siege and assumed uprising, General Antonio Lopez de twenty-six were born in Europe. full command when Bowie became Santa Anna Lebron (the Mexican Their occupations included merchant, seriously ill. He was an attorney/school president and dictator, who envisioned surveyor, painter, farmer, shopkeeper, teacher/merchant, born in South himself as the “Napoleon of the West”) plasterer, glazer, jockey, and teamster. Carolina and raised in Alabama. What turned his attention to dealing with the At least six were physicians, and six was he doing in Texas? One story has it Anglos in Texas, who, by late 1835, were lawyers. The average age was that he killed a man that made advances had initiated a provisional government twenty-nine; the youngest was fifteen towards his wife; another that he was started to form militias. and the oldest fifty five. A diverse lot, running from debts. He was absolutely but not one of them was a professional convinced that the defense of the Santa Anna decided that these uppity soldier. To a man, they shared the will Alamo would slow the advance of (as they were called) needed to to fight and die for what they believed Santa Ana’s army, giving be taught a lesson. He sent his brother- was right. more time to organize the Army of in-law, General Martin Perfecto de Cos, Texas. One of Travis’ many pleas for to arrest troublemakers and fortify the Texians to come to their aid shows the garrison at de Bexar. Cos Some came to nature and depth of his commitment. was soundly defeated by 300 Texian In part it read: volunteers. Thus began the War for escape family Texas Independence. and/or financial The enemy has demanded surrender at discretion, otherwise, The Mexican government sent out a problems— the garrison will be put to the circular throughout all of Mexico. In sword […] I have answered the part, it read: a quick and easy demand with a cannon shot […] way to leave a I shall never surrender or retreat. The colonists established in Then, I call to you in the name of Texas have recently given the broken marriage, Liberty, of patriotism & everything most unequivocal evidence of the a pregnant dear to the American character, to extremity to which perfidy, ingrat- come to our aid, with all dispatch. itude, and the relentless spirit that girlfriend, […] If this call in neglected, I am animates them can go […] forget- determined to sustain myself as ting what they owe to the supreme a hangman’s long as possible & die like a soldier. government of the nation which noose, or an Victory or death. so generously admitted them to its bosom. […] active measures will unrepayable Travis was among the first, if not the be taken to rectify this crime debt. very first, to die during the final against the whole nation. Mexican assault, of a bullet through the forehead while defending the Alamo’s Santa Ana had had enough. He Why had they come to Texas? Some weak north wall. personally led an army in to punish the were drawn by stories of vast acres of defenders of San Antonio, arriving on land that could be acquired for little A defender who exemplifies the over- February 23, 1836. With 2500 men, he money. The dream of agricultural all spirit of these men is a twenty-one- immediately laid siege to the Alamo, a riches was very alluring. Some came year-old lawyer from named patched-up old Franciscan mission to escape family and/or financial Daniel Cloud. He had arrived in Texas that could hardly be called a fort. problems—a quick and easy way to only on February 11, seeking to help Minimally defending its walls would leave a broken marriage, a pregnant “the cause.” History remembers him have required 400 to 500 men. But, girlfriend, a hangman’s noose, or an best for his letter to his brother,

9 Torch Magazine • Spring 2016

dated December 26,1835. Among other left the Alamo in the late evening of Almeron Dickinson, a twenty-six- things, he explains his views of the February 28 to deliver Travis’s message. year-old blacksmith from Gonzales, and his reasons for Despite being out of harm’s way, he was an artillery officer for the garrison wanting to join it. The following is an chose to return to the Alamo with and one of very few defenders to move excerpt: twenty-nine other volunteers from their families to the Alamo. According Gonzales, ultimately giving his life for to Mexican Army accounts, Dickinson Ever since Texas has unfurled the choice. was among the last to die, while the banner of Freedom and defending the chapel area. His wife and commenced a warfare for Liberty James Butler Bonham, a twenty- daughter were spared by the Mexican or Death, our hearts have been nine-year-old South Carolina aristocrat soldiers. By his wife’s account, Captain enlisted in her behalf. The progress and lawyer, was another defender who Dickinson rushed to her in the chapel of her cause has increased the eschewed his own safety. Twice Travis and cried, “Good God! The Mexicans ardor or our feelings, until we have sent him out with dispatches. At great are inside our walls! All is lost. If they resolved to embark in the vessel personal risk, he returned both times. spare you, love our child!” which contains the flag of Liberty and sink or swim in its defence. A thirty-six-year-old Irishman who Our Brethren of Texas were invited came to Texas by way of , by the Mexican Government while Robert Evans, attempted to torch the republican in its form to come and Doctors powder magazine in the chapel near settle, they did so, and endured the end of the battle. He was shot and all the privations and sufferings Edward Mitchason, killed by Mexican troops before incident to the settlement of a John Reynolds, reaching his objective—bravery in new frontier country and have the shadow of futility. But, had he surrounded themselves with all the and John Thompson succeeded, no woman or child seeking comforts and conveniences of life. were most likely protection in the chapel would have Now the Mexicans with unblushing survived, and there would have been effrontery call on them to submit riflemen/volunteers fewer witnesses to tell of the battle. to a Monarchial, tyrannical, Cen- for the same tral despotism, at the bare mention Although there were a number of of which every true hearted son reasons as physicians at the Alamo and one of Kentucky feels an instinctive medical student, no one is sure that horror followed by a firm and the rest of the they actually practiced medicine during steady glow of virtuous indig- defenders. the siege. Dr. Amos Posad may have nation. The cause of Philanthropy, been the only surgeon. Doctors Edward of humanity, of Liberty & human Mitchason, John Reynolds, and John happiness throughout the world Thompson were most likely riflemen/ call loudly on every man who can, volunteers for the same reasons as the to aid Texas. […] If we succeed, the Courage did not begin or end with rest of the defenders. The medical country is ours, it is immense in men in their twenties. The youngest student, William dePriest Sutherland, extent and fertile in its soil and will defender was William Philip King, age was only seventeen years old. Dr. amply reward all our toils. If we fail fifteen, from Gonzales. When his father Reynolds, a graduate of Philadelphia’s death in the cause of liberty and prepared to ride to the Alamo with Jefferson Medical College, gave his life humanity is not cause for shud- the Gonzales volunteers, William suc- one day short of his thirtieth birthday. dering. Our rifles are by our sides cessfully persuaded his father that his and choice guns they are; we know mother and younger brothers needed Six defenders were not American what awaits us and are prepared to him more than William Barrett Travis colonists, but rather, Tejanos---natives meet it. did, and took his father’s place. He of Texas and citizens of Mexico. For reportedly gave his life manning a three, San Antonio was their home- Twenty-one years young—idealistic, cannon. town. Juan Abamillo, Juan Padillo, brave, archetypal. For his principles, he Gregorio Esparza, Antonio Fuentes, gave his life at the Alamo. Robert B. Moore, fifty-five, was the Andres Nava, and Damacio Ximenes oldest defender. He got to the Alamo all gave their lives for their belief in , a twenty-eight-year- by way of the Grays a free Texas. By their actions, they old storeowner from Gonzales, Texas, volunteer unit in 1835. committed treason. Gregorio Esparza

10 Torch Magazine • Spring 2016 is the only defender who escaped Santa with his saber, and asked that all who In death and defeat, the one hundred Ana’s funeral pyres. His brother, Carlos, wished to stay cross the line. All crossed and eighty three ultimately won. The was a soldier in General Cos’ battalion. but one—Louis , an battle ended, Santa Ana made a huge He asked for, and received permission illiterate French national who had mistake in judgment that would come to give his brother a Christian burial. fought with Napoleon. He just was not to haunt him: instead of treating the ready to die yet, for any cause. While no defenders’ bodies with respect and So far, I have given you examples of defenders judged Louis’ choice, today honor, he had them thrown on pyres, courage for a cause. There were more he is remembered in Texas history as like so much cord wood, and cremated than one hundred and seventy others “the coward of the Alamo”. them. The stench of burning flesh who also gave their lives, but are less hung in the air for days. When news of known to history: Isaac Baker, Daniel In the 1987 made-for-TV movie, this reached Sam Houston and the Bourne, Jerry Day, George Nelson, Thirteen Days of Glory, there is a scene Army of Texas, it fueled rage and a Henry Thomas and others whom you in which two defenders lay against a thirst for revenge. On April 21st, on the have never heard of, but all heroes, all, wall, dying of bullet and bayonet battlefield of San Jacinto, the Texians all extraordinary. wounds. One asks, “How much we attacked the encamped Mexican getting’ paid for this?” The other Army. Their battle cry—Remember * * * answers, “Nuthin!” The first replies, the Alamo! The Mexican Army was One definition of “glory” is “an “Well, it ain’t enough... it ain’t enough.” destroyed in eighteen minutes. Later achievement that brings admiration, Though fiction, I agree—it wasn’t that day, Santa Ana was captured, praise, honor, or fame.” In perusing enough. posing as a common infantryman. history, I have found five events that The war was over and the Republic of seem to me particularly deserving of Texas emerged. In 1845, Texas became the word: Thermopylae in 480 B.C., the Supposedly, the 28th state, the only “country” to do Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava so. in 1854, Pickett’s advance at Gettysburg one defender in 1863, the 54th Massachusetts assault When I remember the Alamo, I on Fort Wagner, S.C., also in 1863, and escaped, but remember the character and values of the defense of Rourke’s Drift in Henry Warnell, men who had courage, commitment, the Natal in 1879. All five, however, and a stubborn streak. Texas historian were conducted by disciplined soldiers a twenty-four-year-old and author, Stephen I. Harden, said: under orders to stand or advance. The hunter and jockey, “In war, all give some and some give all. defenders of the Alamo had no such But at the Alamo, all gave all.” Texas’s obligation, no such orders. received severe unofficial motto is: “You are not going to tell me what I can or cannot do!” Sam Houston, commander of the wounds and Now you know where it came from. Army of Texas, ordered that the Alamo, died of them with all its cannon and powder, be Remember the Alamo! destroyed to keep it out of Santa Ana’s three months hands. James Bowie believed that later. guerilla attacks on the marching Bibliography Mexican column by Texian cavalry Archives of The Daughters of the Republic of would do more damage than a garrison Were these men fearless? The answer Texas, drtl.org. defense (much like the minutemen’s is no. Heroism is not a lack of fear, but Donovan, James. The Blood of Heroes. New offensive against the retiring British rather, accepting and dealing with it, York: Little, Brown, 2012. troops after the battles of Lexington then going forward. Historical research Harrigan, Stephen. The Gates of the Alamo. and Concord on April 19, 1775). Travis has found evidence that some of the New York: Knopf, 2000. boldly ignored Houston’s order and defenders, near the end of the battle, Michener, James A. The Eagle and the Raven. scoffed at Bowie’s suggestion. leaped the walls and tried to run to New York: Tom Doherty Associates, 1990. safety. Mexican lancers rode down Petite, Mary Deborah. 1836 Facts About The Alamo and Texas War for Independence. Legend has it that on March 3rd or and killed them all. Supposedly, one Mason City, Iowa: Savas, 1999. 4th, Travis, seeing the hopelessness of defender escaped, but Henry Warnell, the situation, called the defenders a twenty-four-year-old hunter and together. Advising them of the situation, jockey, received severe wounds and The publication of this article is funded by he supposedly drew a line in the dirt died of them three months later. The Torch Foundation 11