15. William B. Travis (1809-1836) Travis commanded the Texas defenders during the Siege and Battle of the Alamo. His appeal from the Alamo for reinforcements has become an American symbol of unyielding courage and heroism. Although a few reinforcements arrived before the Alamo fell, Travis and over 180 defenders gave their lives for Texas independence on 6 March 1836. Historical Hollywood Travis’ Letter
16. Sam Houston (1793-1863) Houston immediately took control of the Texas forces after the fall of the Alamo, and conducted a retreat of the army to the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, where on April 21, 1836, his force defeated Santa Anna and secured Texas’ long sought independence. In the fall of that year, Houston was elected the first President of the Republic of Texas. After statehood in 1845, Houston was elected Senator from Texas. Still later, in 1859, Houston was elected to serve as Governor of the State of Texas. Historical Hollywood
17. James Bowie (1796-1836) He was in command of a volunteer force in San Antonio when Travis arrived with regular army troops. The two men shared authority during much of the Siege of the Alamo, which caused some personal friction. But pneumonia disabled Bowie, and he was confined to his cot at the time of his death on March 6, 1836 at the Battle of the Alamo. Historical Hollywood Bowie Knife
18. David "Davy" Crockett (1786-1836) Historical Hollywood Crockett’s Coonskin hat In March, 1836, Davy Crockett, with 187 others, was massacred at the Alamo. Usually, in battles, someone is left to tell the story, but the Alamo had no one. One hundred and eighty-seven men for eleven days withstood the Mexican army. When the battle was done, all of the one hundred eighty-seven brave Americans, including Davy Crockett, lay dead on the ground; but with them also lay over two thousand Mexicans, who had died at their hands.
19. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna (1794-1876) Historical Hollywood In 1833 Santa Anna came to power in Mexico. He soon threw out the Mexican constitution and declared himself dictator. In 1835 he led his Mexican army against the rebellion in Texas. On Feb. 23, 1836 he began his siege of the Alamo. Twelve days later his forces stormed it resulting in the deaths of all of its 187 defenders. His army was finally defeated at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21 st . The outnumbered Texan attackers cried out “Remember the Alamo” as they charged to battle!
