10 Greatest Sieges In History

7. The Alamo (1836)

Alamo Big After the Mexican War of Independence, the constitution split Mexico into19 states and four territories. Spanish Texas became part of the Coahuila y Tejas state, and, because the country was poor and needed militias, and Texas was scarcely populated, the government opened the borders for new settlers. Most of these new settlers were US citizens €“ by 1834 it was estimated that there were over 30,000 Americans, compared to less than 8,000 Tejanos. The US citizens began ignoring Mexican laws, such as a ban on slaves. The Mexican army sent troops to quash any potential rebellion. The Texians drove the Mexicans out of the land, and, at the Siege of Bexar, they forced the final station of troops to surrender. The Alamo Mission at San Antonio de Bexar (San Antonio) was a religious outpost which had been converted into a fort. There were three small buildings inside the walls €“ a chapel, low barracks and long barracks €“ which had catwalks to allow defensive fire. Lacking supplies, food, ammunition and troops €“ there were less than 100 before volunteers and reinforcements began arriving. A soldier stationed in the San Fernando church tower began ringing the bell at 2:30 on February 23, indicating the arrival of General Santa Anna. There were 156 able bodies in The Alamo, with a month's worth of food. Santa Anna, meanwhile, had 1,500 troops at his disposal. The Mexicans set up artillery to the south and east of the Alamo, attacking it with a steady bombardment. As a small group of reinforcements managed to break through and join the Texians, another 1000 strong force joined Santa Anna...and then another 1000. On March 6, the Mexicans split into four columns and assaulted from different directions. The defenders used rifle and cannon fire €“ the cannons were loaded with nails, horseshoes, and other scraps of metal €“ to drive back the first attack. As a mass attack focused on the north wall, killing co-commander William Travis, the Mexicans waited until the south wall cannon was turned around to deal with the larger attack, before coming over that wall and capturing the gun. The Texians retreated to the abodes, but, using their cannons, the Mexicans blew the doors down. Hand-to-hand combat took place, killing co-commander James Bowie, and, in a final siege on the chapel, the battle was done. Upon hearing the news, troops flocked to join Sam Houston's €“ after whom the city is named after. Houston's force caught Santa Anna's army at their camp €“ they were having their afternoon siesta, but Santa Anna had not placed any scouts on watch €“ and the Battle of San Jacinto was done in 18 minutes. 630 Mexicans were killed, 730 were captured, including Santa Anna, while only nine Texians died.
 
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