On this day in 1836

[Bill in Oregon]

... more than 200 souls perished under the final assault of Santa Anna's forces at the Alamo. I got to visit a couple of years ago and found it very difficult to keep my emotions in check.
It goes without saying that if you are ever near, make it a point to visit this sacred ground.

[AJMD429]

.
I get like that with historic sites.

Even to the point that I wonder how many people lived in the little 50-acre valley we now own. Tons of American Indian artifacts in the area so we know at a minimum many generations likely lived in or roamed over the area. How many were born on our place...? How many died...? What were their lives like 500 or 5,000 years ago...?

It's even more intense when you know detailed history and something major happened in a place.

[piller]

I have been there. You feel the history.

[JimT]

The Travis Letter

This historic document was written by Col. William Travis at the Alamo while under attack by Santa Anna's forces; he and the other defenders had just a dozen days left to live.

..............................................

Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, 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 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 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 & 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 and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis

IMG_1876.jpg

[veeman]

We were there a few years ago. I felt that the history of the place is lost because the only thing left is the mission, everything else is gone. It's in the middle of a city of 3 million? As I understand the history, the mission itself is where the women and children hid, not where the actual battle was, or all around it. Maybe I'm wrong, but the atmospher around it didn't feel very historical to me. And I mean no disrespect.

[Mark in MO]

I've never been but a friend and I plan to visit San Antonio for a few days next month. The Alamo is high on my to do list. I've had a love of history pretty much all my life.
We're also planning to take a tour of some of the Spanish missions in the area. Any suggestions of other things to see or do while we're there?

[oldebear1950]

I am retired from US COAST GUARD, after 20 years.
Back in 1984, I was sent to the COAST GUARD TRAINING FACILITY AT YORKTOWN, VA for leadership school.
While there I visited the battlefield at Yorktown, In fact the COAST GUARD facility is located at one end of the battlefield, It stops and makes things really real.
Back in 1970 and 1971 was on a cutter in Boston< Ma.
I toured all the historic places. The site of the Boston Massacre, Bunker and Breeds hill, the Constitution, the march of the British in April 1775. The old North Church.
When I was stationed in Boston, was dating a girl from Pennsylvania , and she took me to the battlefield in Gettysburg.
I have always been and still am a history buff.

[veeman]

Any suggestions of other things to see or do while we're there?

Do the River Walk.

[TraderVic]

Being a big history buff, I would love to tour The Alamo, and take it all in...

[Mark in MO]

Any suggestions of other things to see or do while we're there?

Do the River Walk.

Thanks! Yes, that is on our itinerary!

[Ysabel Kid]

Being a big history buff, I would love to tour The Alamo, and take it all in...

You won't be disappointed.

I'm a Hilton guy, and always stay at the Emily Morgan right beside the Alamo complex. I got very lucky the last time and was upgraded to the "Duke Suite". Room is on the top floor, looking down on the Alamo grounds, and filled with John Wayne memorabilia. I just wish I had more opportunities to visit the city. Between the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and the convention center, it is a great trade show city. But the industry I'm in is only there once every 5+ years.

Oh, visit Voodoo Doughnut! Right near the River Walk. Best doughnuts around! My favorite is the maple old fashioned. Plus it is right across from Devil's River distillery.

[jeepnik]

I first visited San Antonio in 1971, after basic. The Alamo was kind of run down and totally unimpressive. I had pictured it out in the open, not in a congested and smoggy downtown. The River Walk was, well let's just say not a good place to take a girl, but a good place to find one. And just about any other of the seven deadly sins.

Flash forward six years and I visited again after my discharge. My wife wanted to see it. Things had improved some, but she was still disappointed. I have no idea of the River Walk condition, and I sure as heck wasn't going to take my wife anywhere near that cesspool.

I hear that The Alamo and the River Walk are nice tourist attractions now. And like most places the air is much better. I'm probably heading to Atlanta to see my nephew later this year. We'll stop in San Antonio and check it out. Also going to hit El Paso again. Didn't know Rosa's exited the first time through.

[EdinCT]

I was there about 20 years ago and stayed across the street from it. It was a thoughtful experience going through it and I'm glad I did. The Zoo was very good also and I had a enjoyable day there,
And while we didn't know it going in, it was Fiesta week and I will say the Texans sure know how to throw a Party! The River walk was beautiful but crowded.
I know when I go to Gettysburg and Stand on Little Round Top I am greatly moved, I believe it's more because you see the hillside and tree line where Pickets charge happened, It's easier to envision the magnitude and courage required there. than in the downtown setting of the Alamo.