[March 6, 2021] Independence. No single motivation has led to more wars than those willing to fight for independence. Independence from tyranny has inspired many, and that was the thinking of those defending the Alamo from a large Mexican force commanded by Generalissimo Antonio López de Santa Anna. On this date, March 6, 1836, Fort Alamo defenders were overwhelmed and defeated.
Vowing to crush the Texan rebellion against his dictatorial regime in early 1836, Santa Anna launched his army from Mexico north to the Texas interior. His plan was a surprise attack on two rebel forts that stood athwart two main Texas roads: Presidio la Bahia at Goliad and the Alamo at Béxar.
An initial siege preceding the battle lasted from February 23 to the attack on March 6th. The Alamo, a former Franciscan mission, is located near present-day San Antonio. On February 23, 1836, a Mexican force numbering an estimated 6,000 began a siege. The Alamo’s defenders were vastly outnumbered, numbering less than 200.
If we step back and look at the battle and its context, we can see several lessons that apply to us today.
- Don’t underestimate your enemy: The Texians did not think the Mexican army could take the fort. Santa Anna force-marched his men and arrive early at the Alamo, a month sooner than Texians estimated. The Mexican army bombarded the fort night after night before the full assault. When the Mexicans struck at 5 am, most of the Alamo’s defenders were asleep.
- Consider political realities: Texas officials ignored the Alamo’s call for assistance because the provisional government has disbanded in a fit of squabbling. By the time they reorganized, it was too late.
- Never annihilate your enemy: The Alamo defenders were killed to the last man (except for a slave, a woman and infant, and a servant). If Santa Anna had taken prisoners, he would have deprived the battle of its moral power, and “Remember the Alamo” would only be remembered as a defeat. Instead, the slaughter at the Alamo fired up range in all Texians, and six weeks later, Santa Anna paid the price in his utter defeat.
- Control your message: When Santa Anna freed the Alamo four survivors, his order was for them to take a letter to Sam Houston’s camp warning that if Texas continued to fight, a similar fate would befall them. He wanted to spread fear and discourage resistance. The opposite occurred, and more Texians and Americans rallied on the cry of “Remember the Alamo.”
- Events in culture can live on: The main reason that the Battle of the Alamo has lived on for so long has been depicting it in film and national mythology as a whole. John Wayne starred in the most famous of these files, The Alamo (1960), and gave a very patriotic performance. Who else better to represent the mythology of the battle than John Wayne playing David Crockett?
From March to May of 1836, Mexican forces occupied the Alamo. The victory of Sam Houston over Santa Anna’s forces ended the Mexican attempt to deny Texas independence. In May, Mexican troops in San Antonio were ordered to withdraw and to demolish the fortifications as they went. To this day, the Alamo remains a symbol of courage.
If you study war, the battle of the Alamo in Texas is one must read. Why? Simple, it shows how a superior military force (in numbers, equipment, and leadership) can still be delayed and ultimately destroyed by taking on an enemy who is willing to expend their lives in defense of something they believe in.
I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. -Alexander the Great
Gen. Satterfield, a recommendation — maybe you should do a special feature on lessons from war. Just a thought. This article is a great start. Although our days are a far cry from war, the lessons can directly help us day to day. Or at least, give us insight. Just my honest opinion.
Good recommendation, Rev Cain.
Hi Gen. Satterfield, great article on the Alamo. I’m from Texas so I really enjoy anything having to do with Texas history, esp. about the bravery that so many of the men had.
Never annihilate your enemy. There is an old piece of advice from olden days that you always give your enemy an escape route. If you corner them and threaten them with annihilation, they will fight like wildcats.
From Sun Tzu:
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength. Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in the heart of a hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.
Cutting the route to escape means the enemy is put in a hopeless situation. He cannot retreat – his only hope is to either win or die, and his situation is desperate. This desperation will give him an incredible amount of motivation to fight.
Well said folks. I also like this bit of history lessons myself.
Gen. Satterfield, well said. Useful list for us to remember. Maybe you could have a section on the many lessons learned from all the battles you have summarized for us. Just a thought.
I like “events in culture can live on.” That is why, after the pandemic and cancel culture is behind us and the mature, real leaders reassert themselves, we will look back and see the idiots for who they were and laugh at them for eternity. They will be the butt of jokes for the future and shamed into seeing themselves as having damaged society for a generation.
Max, once again, you have cut to the chase. I too believe that these cancel culture (ie, neo-marxists and useful idiots) will be a laughing stock of the rest of us. Just now, they hold some power because too many folks lack courage.
Hey, thanks Max for another great comment. I hope this is not wishful thinking.
Now these good folks are why I like this forums section. Wow, keep it up.
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Now those are some lessons no one could ignore. My favorite is “consider political realities.” I say this because politics has now become the go-to place to get your handout. The gov’ment gives and takest away. Don’t fall for the socialism folks, the outcome will not be what you want.
If you’re looking for a handout, get in line with the other scumbags, because that is what your are … just a pimple on the ass of society.
Surprised? I’m not. Too many look to the govt becuase it has become their religion. Nothing could be worse for humanity. And, yet, there they are, praying to the alter of another man-made god. That is why leftists are in a mental disorder zone.
You guys are in rare form today! 😊
Yes, good point, Rev, Cain. I too think we have encourage people to rely too much on government assistance and not on self reliance. That would mean it is hard to do and too many of us would rather play video games in our parent’s basement in our underwear than to do something that is hard.
Yusaf, you should on top of this event since you are from Texas. I’m sure you’ve been to San Antonio to personally tour the fort. I did a few years ago and was very impressed by what is now the Alamo museum. But, what really surprised me was that the Alamo is in like downtown San Antonio.
Hi Rowen, yes thanks. Been there many times. Impressive.
Thanks Randy. Soooo true!!!!! General Satterfield, you’ve done it once again and set the freedom bird lose on us.