Life

During the past two weeks while I posted about the Alamo, life has been busy.  Nothing exciting, probably not even worthy to post here about.  As I sit here trying to put together a post I try to remember things I thought I should post about as they came to my mind during the last two weeks.  Consequently that is a total failure.  There is no way my brain will allow me to recall those things I thought about at the time.  Maybe that's good thing.

We did make a much needed trip into town to the grocer and Costco.  Those chores had fallen behind a bit due to the things that kept us too busy the last two weeks.  We also finally got my processed deer back, right at 6 weeks.  Much longer than I would have expected.  The extra refrigerator in the garage is where we keep the extra foods that we freeze in there and keep various drinks that won't all fit in our everyday fridge, it seems to be going out.  I had placed the completely frozen venison in the freezer and the next day it was getting soft.  We had noticed this previously and now even the drinks in the fridge portion aren't as cold.  So we moved all frozen items into the house fridge.  We had to make room for everything by throwing out old things we had not used in  long while.  It all fit, barely.

We are considering buying a used one to replace that one.  I see them for sale all the time.  I don't think I want to buy a new one when I can get a used one extremely cheap from folks that don't want to move one when they uproot to move to another place.  

Currently I sort of feel like things are on hold.  There are a few things I would like to spend a little cash on, but we have not resolved all our medical bills from our recent surgeries.  In fact I am even postponing a medical procedure for the time being.  I have not been billed by my surgeon.  I check the insurance website, and it doesn't appear he has billed them.  Other than that I believe most of my bills have been submitted and paid.  K, on the other hand, continues to receive various bills almost every week.  Yet, nothing from the hospital.  That one should be a doozy.  It has been around 90 days since our surgeries.  Insurance companies have a 90 day limit where they can deny a claim not submitted within that time frame, at least most do.  So not sure what will happen with those bills if they get submitted and are denied.  I assume they will come to us for the full amount then.  I hope not.

One of the things I want to get is a new BBQ pit/smoker.  The two I have, have reached the end of their useful life.  The one I use the most is just about to fall apart.  The last time I used it, I was very wary that the firebox would lose it's bottom a scatter ash and fire all over the ground.  The other one is one I got from my Dad when he gave up BBQing.  It was a custom job and I just don't like it.  It wasn't made for the type cooking I do.  It is too hard to regulate the temps.  I only used it for grilling.  I want to replace them both with one similar to my old one.  I wanted a nice one that would cost more, but a cheap one will work probably just fine for the time I have left.  The other I used almost 30 years.  

Happy Trails

March 6, 1836-Day Thirteen-The Alamo

During the night, the Mexicans had ceased bombardment of the Alamo.  Even though there was eerie silence the garrison welcomed the silence after nearly constant cannonade.  Travis posted sentinels outside the fort to watch for any Mexican movement.  Succumbing to exhaustion Travis turns over watch to John Baugh after send John Allen as the last courier.  

After lying in wait several hours, around 5:30 AM the Mexican forces began moving toward the Alamo walls.  The sentinels posted outside the walls were killed in their sleep.  The soldados making the assault could withhold the jubilation on finally being released to attack and began shouting 'Viva Santa Ana!' 'Viva La Republica.'  This alerted John Baugh and he could see the columns already in musket range.

Thus began the final assault and the end of the Thirteen Days of Glory.  There is so much more detail regarding the final assault, Travis' death, Crocket's death, Jim Bowie's, the method and results of the various Mexican columns.  It goes on and on.

Earliest known photo circa 1849

If you care to read one of the best accounts of the Alamo and what went on there and the Military History of the Texas Revolution, I highly recommend Stephen L. Hardin's book, Texian Iliad.  I have found no other that comes close to comparing the amount of information contained therein.  Being a reader of Texas History most of my life, there are things in there I had never been aware of.  I was searching for information on one of my ancestors that had supposedly been a scout for Gen. Sam Houston.  He had received a bounty land warrant for service in the Texian Army.  No, I found no information there regarding that.  I do know he served in a cavalry unit organized in East Texas.  He does not appear on the rolls for San Jacinto.  He served in what was noted as the 'S' war.  I had never heard of this.  A knowledgeable friend told me it was the 'Shadow War.'  These were the troops that 'shadowed' the Mexican forces as they returned to Mexico after defeat at San Jacinto.  I find no written documents on this and the museum at San Jacinto never heard of it.  However I have a copy of that document of his land warrant.  My search continues.

Although there is much much more to come in the coming two months of 1836, I will not try to cover it like I did here.  If you are a Native Texan , or call yourself a Texan, it behooves you to know this history of this time.  It is what makes us different than any other state in the union.  No one can ever know, that isn't a Texan, why we have the pride we do. I can explain it to you, but can't help you understand it.  This history, this revolution, these men that sacrificed so much is the ROOT of that pride.

Texas Forever!  Remember the Alamo!  Remember Goliad!

I hope you have enjoyed this minimalist recounting of portion of the Texas Revolution.

March 5, 1836-Day Twelve-The Alamo

Santa Ana issues orders the final assault to begin the next day.  There will be four assault columns and one held in reserve.  He also orders reconnaissance to determine the positioning and approaches.

Most of the Mexican officers were of the opinion no assault would be necessary due to no reinforcements arriving, the walls were crumbling and time would take care of the rest.  Col. Enrique de la Pena wrote in his diary the majority:

                “were of the opinion that victory over a handful of men concentrated in the 

                  Alamo did not call for great sacrifice.”

Santa Ana stubbornly refused citing morale as a factor.

               

A messenger arrives at the Alamo with the news that reinforcements aren’t coming.

Travis gathers the garrison and informs them of the news and what their options are.  It is at this time the legend of the Line in the Sand took place. 

Around midnight, Mexican forces begin moving to prepare for the final assault.

Remember the Alamo

March 4, 1836-Day Eleven-The Alamo

Santa Ana gathers his forces for a council of war.  It is decided that there will be no prisoners taken during the final assault.  The decision on when the final assault is to take place will be determined tomorrow.

The Mexican artillery is consolidated into two batteries and is moved to within 200 hundred yards.

The constant barrage has weakened the North Wall.  The chief engineer directed work parties throughout the night to strengthen the wall.

Remember the Alamo

March 3, 1836-Day 10-The Alamo

James Butler Bohnam arrives with news of reinforcements.  He reports that 60 more men from Gonzales are due and 600 more would be in route soon.  The Texians fire several shots into the city in celebration.

Santa Ana receives word of General Urrea’s victory at San Patricio.  The Mexicans ring church bells and there is revelry in the camp.

The lead elements of General Gaona’s Brigade arrive.  These are the reinforcements needed for a successful assault.

Travis sends a letter to the Independence Convention:

       Col. Fannin is said to be on the march to this place with reinforcements, but I fear it is not                  true, as I have repeatedly sent to him for aid without receiving any…I look to the colonies                    alone for aid; unless it arrives soon, I will have to fight the enemy on his own terms.  I will,                  however, do the best I can under the circumstances; and I feel confident that the determined                valor and desperate courage, heretofore exhibited by my men, will not fail them in the last                    struggle; and although they may be sacrificed to the vengeance of a Gothic enemy, the                        victory will cost the enemy dear, that it will be worse for him than defeat.

Remember the Alamo

March 2, 1836-The Alamo-Day 9

Mexican forcers return to the siege routine and continue their cannonde.  Artillery Is moved closer to the walls.  Travis begins to wonder why Fannin's force has not arrived after 9 days.  Plenty of time to cover the 95 miles.

Travis receives a report that there is corn at the Seguin Ranch.  Lt. Menchaca and a detachment is sent to retrieve it.

Mexican forces discover a road within pistol shot of the Alamo and the Jimenez Battalion is posted to cover it.

Unknown to the defenders, Independence is declared at Washington on the Brazos.

Things are beginning to look bleak.

Remember the Alamo

February 29, 1836-March 1, 1836 Day Seven and Eight

February 29, 1836

Santa Ana orders the Jimenez Battalion and the cavalry under command of General Ramirez y Sesma down the Goliad Road to intercept any reinforcements that might have been sent by Col. Fannin.

The Mexicans propose a three-day armistice and several Tejanos leave the Alamo during this time.

March 1, 1836

The Gonzales Ranging Company-the Immortal 32-from Gonzales arrive at the Alamo.

General Sesma advances down the Goliad Road to seek out the Texian reinforcements sent by Col. Fannin to the aid of the Alamo.  Finding none, he returns to Bejar.

The Alamo’s 12 pounder fires two shots, one of the hitting Santa Ana’s headquarters.

Remember the Alamo