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Battle of the Alamo Timeline
(February 23, 1836 – March 6, 1836)The Battle of the Alamo was a pivotal event in the Texas Revolution, fought from February 23 to March 6, 1836, in San Antonio de Béxar. A Mexican army under General Antonio López de Santa Anna besieged the Alamo Mission, defended by roughly 180-260 Texian and Tejano fighters, including famous figures such as William B. Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett. After 13 days of siege, Mexican forces stormed the mission, killing nearly all the defenders. Although a Mexican victory, the battle became a rallying cry — 'Remember the Alamo!' — that inspired Texian forces to defeat Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto weeks later, securing Texas independence. More Less
Background and Causes
Constitution of 1824 establishes federalist Mexican Republic
Oct 4, 1824
The federalist 1824 Constitution of Mexico established the First Mexican Republic, distributing power among states. Its later repeal would become a major grievance for Texian settlers, who had supported the federalist system that granted regional autonomy.
Image source: 1824 Constitution of Mexico
Mexico attempts to end Anglo American immigration
1830
Mexico tried to end Anglo American immigration in 1830, but the number of immigrants doubled by 1834, growing from 10,000 to 21,000. The influx of settlers from the United States increasingly worried the Mexican government about its control over Texas.
Image source: Battle of the Alamo
Santa Anna gathers his army at San Luis Potosí
Jan 1, 1835 - Dec 31, 1835
As the Texians struggled to find men and supplies, Santa Anna continued to gather men at San Luis Potosí; by the end of 1835, his army numbered 6,019 soldiers, preparing for a campaign to suppress the Texian revolt.
Image source: Antonio López de Santa Anna
Mexico adopts Las Siete Leyes, ending the First Republic
Dec 30, 1835
In 1835, following the repeal of the federalist 1824 Constitution, Mexico adopted Las Siete Leyes ("The Seven Laws"), a new constitutional framework that replaced the First Mexican Republic with a unitary republic officially named the Mexican Republic. This centralization of power fueled rebellion in Texas.
Image source: Siete Leyes
Tornel Decree defines Texian invaders as pirates
Dec 30, 1835
Approved by the Mexican congress and issued on December 30, 1835, the decree defined irregular invaders as pirates, "being citizens of no nation presently at war with the republic, and fighting under no recognized flag." In this historical period, captured pirates were executed immediately, meaning Alamo defenders could expect no mercy.
Image source: José María Tornel
Enslaved population grows in Texas
1836
Some immigrants had brought large numbers of slaves with them, so that by 1836 there were approximately 5,000 enslaved persons in a total non-native population estimated at 38,470. Historian Randolph Campbell later argued that many writers minimized slavery's role in Texas history.
Image source: History of slavery in Texas
The Battle
Alamo garrison dwindles to fewer than 100 soldiers
Jan 6, 1836
The fact remains that the Texian garrison was undermanned and underprovisioned, with fewer than 100 soldiers remaining by January 6, 1836. Efforts to secure reinforcements and supplies largely failed as the Mexican army advanced northward.
Siege of the Alamo begins
Feb 23, 1836
On February 23, 1836, Santa Anna's forces arrived at San Antonio de Béxar and began a siege of the Alamo mission, where roughly 200 Texian defenders under William B. Travis, James Bowie, and Davy Crockett prepared to make their stand.
Convention of 1836 meets during the siege
Mar 1, 1836
During the siege, newly elected delegates from across Texas met at the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos, where they declared independence from Mexico and formed a new government while the Alamo defenders fought on.
Image source: Convention of 1836
Final assault: the Battle of the Alamo ends
Mar 6, 1836
The Battle of the Alamo (February 23 – March 6, 1836) was a pivotal event and military engagement in the Texas Revolution. On March 6, Mexican troops stormed the walls in a pre-dawn assault, killing nearly all of the Texian defenders after a thirteen-day siege.
Key Facts
- The siege lasted 13 days, from February 23 to March 6, 1836, when Mexican forces under General Santa Anna stormed the Alamo Mission in San Antonio.
- Approximately 180-260 Texian and Tejano defenders, including William B. Travis, Jim Bowie, and Davy Crockett, faced an estimated Mexican army of 1,500-6,000 soldiers.
- William B. Travis's famous 'Victory or Death' letter, written on February 24, 1836, appealed for reinforcements and became one of the most celebrated documents in Texas history.
- Nearly all Alamo defenders were killed in the final assault, though some non-combatants, including women, children, and enslaved people like Susanna Dickinson, were spared to spread the story.
- The battle became a powerful symbol of resistance, and the rallying cry 'Remember the Alamo!' helped inspire the Texian victory over Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836.
Source
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