Remember the Alamo

The Vanguard ^ | March 12, 2004 | Rod D. Martin

[risk]

That, at least, is how America once viewed the Texas Revolution, which ultimately led to Texas winning its independence from Mexico.

Maybe we need to do it all over again?

[tkathy]

Western Civilization is in the cattle cars on the way to the ovens, while the liberals and the democrats are making loud music to drown out the screams.

[F14 Pilot]

Ping

[TMSuchman]

I hate to say this; but we may be going the way of the roman empire! I for one will be Horatio at the bridge! I will do my best to delay the bararins[sp]from comming in!

SEMPER FI!

Victory or death & death to our foes!

[ClearCase_guy]

It's funny. I was thinking about this movie in the shower this morning. I knew it was coming out soon, and I wondered if it would be any good.

The article tells me that the director is Ron Howard. I guess I know the quality of the movie now.

[StonyBurk]

i remember the Alamo- first trip to San Antonio I anticipated something like what I had seen in that John Wayne movie. One would harly pay that shine as much notice
as visitors to SaltLake City do the Mormon Temple. But
inside the walls of the main building if one could visit
when there was not a lot of noisy tourists passing-- one
could almost hear tears-Rachel crying for her children.
Away from the marimba band on the corner and the street puks
playing pocket pool -- the Alamo and more specific the stand
taken there will not be forgotten.

[sinclair]

“Maybe we need to do it all over again? “

Maybe????? There aint no maybe about it. When that mindset is understood by conservatives and acted upon with conviction and determination, then and only then will we have any chance of winning this war. America's second civil war. The "War of the Constitution".

This weekend Spain lost. Does the same fate await America next November?

[risk]

Nathan Hale said before he was killed after being caught by the British and accused of spying for the American Revolutionaries, "I regret that I only have one life to give for my country."

We need the spirit of Nathan Hale now more than ever.

[ought-six]

"Western Civilization is in the cattle cars on the way to the ovens, while the liberals and the democrats are making loud music to drown out the screams."

Brutally frank. But correct.

[Dawgreg]

Revisionists have tried for years to diminish the battle of the Alamo and it appears they may have succeeded to a point. I remember when we had a state holiday in honor of Texas independence, but no more. Don't want to hurt feelings or step on toes of our ever increasing Mexican population. In other words, we're sucking up. God bless the defenders!

[ought-six]

"America's second civil war. The 'War of the Constitution'."

Yup.

[ought-six]

And Nathan Hale was only seventeen years of age when he gave his life for his country.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[expat_panama]

We need the spirit of Nathan Hale now more than ever..

Like hell we do.  

Hale botched his first operation and got himself killed.  Everyone wants to remember the Alamo but I prefer to remember San Jacinto.  Attack and beat an overwhelming force, end the war with victory, and change the future of mankind.  Travis, Crockett, Bowie, and those guys may have had all the good movies, but Houston actually accomplished something.

 

[risk]

I totally agree.

[Agnes Heep]

Next month, a new movie about the Alamo will likely reach a theater near you. If it embraces the counterculture's critique, watch out: Travis, Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and their other heroic friends may well be tarred and feathered with crackpot revisionism.

Which is the primary reason why I don't get my history from Hollywood ... or anything similar.

[yankeedame]

Marty Robbins

Ballad Of The Alamo

In the southern part of Texas
In the town of San Antone
There's a fortress all in ruins that the weeds have overgrown
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a-one.

But sometimes between the setting and the rising of the sun
You can hear a ghostly bugle
As the men go marching by
You can hear them as they answer To that roll call in the sky.

Colonel Travis, Davy Crockett, and a hundred eighty more
Captain Dickinson, Jim Bowie
Present and accounted for.

Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis
"Get some volunteers and go
Fortify the Alamo."

Well, the men came from Texas
And from old Tennessee
And they joined up with Travis
Just to fight for the right to be free.

Indian scouts with squirrel guns
Men with muzzle-loaders
Stood together, heel and toe
To defend the Alamo.

"You may ne'er see your loved ones,"
Travis told them that day.
"Those who want to can leave now.
Those who'll fight to the death let 'em stay."

In the sand he drew a line
With his army sabre.
Out of a hundred eighty five
Not a soldier crossed the line.

With his banners a-dancin'
In the dawn's golden light
Santa Anna came prancing
On a horse that was black as the night.

Sent an officer to tell
Travis to surrender
Travis answered with a shell
And a rousing rebel yell.

Santa Anna turned scarlet
"Play deguello!" he roared.
"I will show them no quarter.
Every one will be put to the sword!"

One hundred and eighty five
Holding back five thousand.
Five days, six days, eight days, ten
Travis held and held again.

Then he sent for replacements
For his wounded and lame
But the troops that were coming
Never came, never came, never came...

Twice he charged and blew recall
On the fatal third time
Santa Anna breached the wall
And he killed 'em, one and all.

Now the bugles are silent.
And there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers...
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...

In the southern part of Texas
Near the town of San Antone
Like a statue on his pinto
rides a cowboy all alone

And he sees the cattle grazing
where a century before
Santa Anna's guns were blazing
and the cannons used to roar.

And his eyes turn sorta misty
And his heart begins to glow
And he takes his hat off slowly...
To the men of Alamo.

To the thirteen days of glory
At the seige of Alamo...

[expat_panama]

Let's put up a sign on the wall with Patton's comment on the value of giving one's life for one's country.

[mtbopfuyn]

Remember the Alamo! Remember Goliad!

Now that's sad to hear little Opie is one of those revisionists. While it's true Texas was for slavery but there was very little here, unlike other southern states, but most importantly our revolution had absolutely NOTHING to do with slavery. We fought for the same principles and hopes of freedom from Mexico as the American Revolution from England. The article didn't mention, but if the movie is to be released next month, it is timed to coordinate with our independence day, April 21 when Santa Anna was defeated at San Jacinto. Heehee, thanks to grandpappy for hauling the chicken general and his sore slipper clad feet into camp to answer to Houston. Take a gander at the list of Alamo survivors' names and you'll see exactly where Opie will fail in any revisions:

Susanna Dickinson, wife of Capt. Almeron Dickinson
Angelina Dickinson, their 15-month old daughter
Joe, Travis' slave
Gertrudis Navarro, 15, sister by adoption to James Bowie's wife, Ursula Bowie
Juana Navarro Alsbury, 28, sister of Gertrudis Navarro
Alijo Perez, 18-month-old son of Juana Alsbury by a previous marriage. (Became a San Antonio policeman and died in 1918.)
Ana Esparza, wife of Gregorio Esparza, and their four children:
Enrique
Francisco
Manuel
Maria de Jesus Castro
Trinidad Saucedo
Petra Gonzales
Brigido Guerrero, who had deserted from the Mexican Army about four years earlier. He talked his way out of being killed by claiming to be a POW.

Ben, the black man who accompanied Mrs. Dickenson and baby, is sometimes cited as a survivor of the Alamo, but this former seaman was actually a member of the Mexican army, serving as Santa Anna's personal cook. Whatever conditions were like in El Presidente's service, Ben was apparently perfectly willing to trade them for a hike into slave territory.

http://hotx.com/alamo/survivors.html