Tag Archives: Alamo

Gone but not forgotten

Posted on August 26, 2007 | Comments Off on Gone but not forgotten

Among the few Alamo survivors (yes, there were a few), one claimed to have witnessed the death of Lt. Col. William B. Travis. The witness was Joe, Travis‘ slave and body servant. I mention him because the Texas State Historical Association marks this as the day that Joe escaped from slavery in 1837, one year, five months and twenty days after the fall of the Alamo. He would have been about twenty-four years old. History doesn’t record what happened to him, but Stephen Harrigan’s wonderful novel, The Gates of the Alamo, has him a waiter in a posh restaurant in Mexico City. Texana writer Mike Cox reports on what little is recorded of the details of Joe’s escape, and his burial place.

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Rainy day at the Alamo

Posted on April 30, 2007 | Comments Off on Rainy day at the Alamo

I’m glad to see there’s an Alamo cam again. I thought it had disappeared after the book store it was in went out of business. Not sure where this one is. Much the same angle as the old one, however. For best results, refresh the screen every so often.

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Posted in Texana, Weather/Climate

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The Republic of Texas

Posted on March 2, 2007 | Comments Off on The Republic of Texas

alamo.jpg

The Alamo a) as planned, b) as it appeared in 1836, and c) as it appears today./Texas Almanac.

"The Texas Declaration of Independence was produced, literally, overnight. Its urgency was paramount, because while it was being prepared, the Alamo in San Antonio was under seige by Santa Anna’s army of Mexico."

"In the early morning hours of March 2, the convention voted unanimously to accept the resolution. After fifty-eight members signed the document, Texas became the Republic of Texas. The change remained to be demonstrated to Mexico…"

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Texas Independence Day

Posted on March 1, 2007 | Comments Off on Texas Independence Day

Texas Independence Day isn’t until tomorrow, March 2, but I wanted to give you non-Texans a head start on a Texas tradition.

As Lyle Lovette says: "No, you’re not from Texas. But Texas wants you anyway."

So, here’s what you do. On Friday, whenever you like–sunrise is a decent time–you take out of your wallet your folded printout of this post, and read the following aloud, with a measured cadence and a certain solemnity:

Commandancy of the Alamo
    Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836

    To the People of Texas & all Americans in the World– Fellow
Citizens and 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 despatch–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.

 Much more detail at this classic site. 

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