Alamo defenders killed, bodies burned

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This week in history: Though vastly outnumbered, the Alamo’s 200 Texan defenders held back thousands of Mexican troops for 13 days before all were finally overpowered and killed. On the evening of March 6, 1836, nearly all the bodies of Alamo’s defenders killed during the prolonged battle were burned by order of General Antonio López de Santa Anna. Santa Anna considered the men “pirates” not worthy of military courtesies or a Christian burial. Thus, the bodies were stripped, hauled to an area on today’s Commerce Street in San Antonio, and burned in three giant funeral pyres (as depicted in Gary Zaboly’s attached art work). The fires burned all night and the next day. The site is discussed in the articles below. Thanks to Allan Koester for his post.

After Texas won its independence, it remained a sovereign nation for 10 years before being annexed by the United States. Texas sought Independence a 2nd time just 15 years later when it became one of the first states to secede from the US and join the Confederacy.

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Inscription on Cenotaph in San Antonio, TX:

“In memory of the heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836, in the defense of Texas."

They chose never to surrender nor retreat. These brave hearts, with flag still proudly waving, perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding of this Texas.”

Erected by the State of Texas 1936 with funds appropriated by the federal government to commemorate one hundred years of Texas independence."

"From the fire that burned their bodies, rose the eternal spirit of sublime heroic sacrifice, which gave birth to an empire state””

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ADDITIONAL READING:

Alamo: https://www.history.com/topics/mexico/alamo

Site of Funeral Pyres where Alamo defender bodies were burned:
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=30589

Article about the Funeral Pyres:
https://sanantonioreport.org/hallowed-ground-site-of-alamo-funeral-pyres-largely-lost-to-history/?fbclid=IwAR2qgSLsQAMGUFMXNTx4dhfQAO1lGCBDp_688W16vzS5o-AXQ250W7vqnz4

Alamo Cenotaph:
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=30709

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Sometime before the fall of the Alamo, LTC William Barret Travis (1809-1836) gathered all the defenders into the Alamo plaza to tell them that help was not coming. Legend has it that he drew a line in the dirt with his sabre and said, "Those prepared to give their lives in freedom's cause, come over to me!"

Whether he really drew the line or not is not the point. The point is, LTC Travis gave everybody a chance to leave, knowing what was coming; and knowing what was coming, they all stayed, and all died.

Location: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, USA

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