The Alamo (movies, occasionally they get it right...

bravowhiskey · Mar 8, 2013

...well at least some of it.)

Was watching a newer version of "The Alamo" (2004) John Lee Hancock, the other night.

At the very end of the movie, during the start of the 18 minute battle of San Jacinto (yes, 18 minutes) Sam Houstons' "Texians" poured it on the Mexican encampment with 2 cannon.

From recent research I've found, they were in fact, 2 steel, 6 pounders referred to as the "Twin Sisters". (loaded with broken horseshoes)

These cannon were donated by a family from Ohio. (related to founders of the town/modern day city of Hempstead, Tx.) They were given to Houston during his encampment on the Brazos River, just prior to the battle.

There are many other interesting facts about, before, during and after the battle for further threads.

Ya gotta' love history.

BW

austin · Mar 9, 2013

Isaac Moreland's Co. operated the Twin Sisters at San Jacinto. The battle was interesting, but so was the whole day. One of Deaf Smith's scouts came up with the idea to blow up Vince's Bridge to keep Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Perez de Lebron from getting reinforcements, Houston didn't attack at dawn as expected and the Mexican President decided to attack Houston the next morning. Houston surprised them with an afternoon attack that same day. And yeah, I do love history and have been asked out of retirement to become an adjunct at Palo Alto once again here in San Antonio. I do a walking tour of San Antonio (Saturday field trip) once each semester and you are welcome to come. We end up at the Alamo and time permitting we do a tour.

bravowhiskey · Mar 9, 2013

Thanks, for the invite Austin.

Deaf Smith was a busy guy. His name pops up everywhere.

During the battle (San Jacinto) he was quoted as saying "take prisoners like the meskins do!" in ref to the torching of bodies at the Alamo as well as the murder of Texian prisoners at Goliad.

austin · Mar 9, 2013

Actually, I was wrong about one thing. John Coker(I had the privilege of having his great, great great (?)grandson in a class)a member of Houston's cavalry came up with the idea to destroy Vince's Bridge and Deaf Smith was sent to talk to Houston about it. Houston liked the idea and the bridge was burned. The Twin Sisters are stilll missing(I believe), but good luck to you if you are searching for them. About my field trip, I will let you know when and where next fall. We do a walk examining things that are and are not still here. Old livery stable now a lawyers office. old jail now a hotel, tour of Governor's Palace, mile marker on Camino Real, location of Veramendi Palace(in that 2004 movie, the place Bowie walked into where the party was going on that later was shown to be deserted, large main doors (Bowie met Ursula de Veramendi there and married her two years later) have been preserved and are in the Alamo Chapel, old location of St. Mary's University, african-american entrance to the Majestic theatre, supposed coffin containing the bones of the Alamo defenders, Menger Hotel with old original covered stairs, galleries, stained class ceiling and ghosts and including the bar where Teddy Roosevelt recruited many of his Rough Riders(bullet holes from shooting contest and bar hatcheted by Carrie Nation included) and finally the Alamo. Keep in touch. And yes, it's free...

JmCraz8 · Mar 9, 2013

All that rage beat Santa Anna in 18 mins from learning what happened at the Alamo also not smart to split your army in to either lol What's left of the Alamo just the front of the old Spanish mission?

austin · Mar 10, 2013

JmCraz8 said:
All that rage beat Santa Anna in 18 mins from learning what happened at the Alamo also not smart to split your army in to either lol What's left of the Alamo just the front of the old Spanish mission?

Yes and no. Houston had been retreatung for several weeks(Runaway Scrape) and guys wanted to stop and fight. They knew about the Alamo and Goliad too and were ready to fight. You are correct. Santa Anna split his forces and that was a big mistake because he couldn't escape or be reinforced. Never siesta when you know exactly where the enemy is.
As for the Alamo, all that is left is the chapel of the mission(San Antonio de Valero) and the first floor of the long barracks(originally 3 stories). The gift shop was built in 1936 for the Texas Centennial and the Alamo Library and Meeting Hall were both built about 1950. There is an ongoing fight (last 20-30 years) to restore the original mission grounds and that fight has picked up lately since the state took control of the shrine. Don't know what will happen. I imagine it is a disappointment to tourists. To make it more exciting hit the bars on the River Walk first. Then you won't care...
p.s. Google Images- "Alamo postcards" to see how it really changed over the past 100 years or so...