The Left Siezes "The Alamo"

Front Page Magazine ^ | 13 April 2004 | Don Feder

[pepsionice]

Almost (but not all) of the dudes in the Alamo were white-skinned Americans...not Mexicans. This would be kinda like a bunch of American rednecks running down to Haiti today, picking out beachfront property and starting war, hoping that GW would come and save them later.

[Sans-Culotte]

It's been awhile since I read the novel Gods and Generals, but I don't think the Valley Campaign was in it. However, once Maxwell decided to basically dispense with the multiple viewpoint approach of the book and concentrate on Jackson, he certainly should have included the campaign.

I think Maxwell also blew the Jackson death scene. In the book, Jackson, dying, was lost in a reverie, and was transported to his childhood and the mother he loved. As she beckoned him to "cross over the river and rest in the shade of the trees", he said his final words (in the book). The film simply showed Jackson die in bed and say those words, but the approach in the novel was far more moving, IMO.

[Redbob]

" At San Jacinto, Sam Houston proved them wrong, when he overwhelmed the remnants of Santa Anna's army in 18 minutes (due in no small measure to the time bought for him by the Alamo's defenders)."

This myth is debunked thoroughly on the official website of the Alamo, www.thealamo.org

"On November 12, 1835, the Consultation (the provisional government of Texas) appointed Sam Houston Commanding-General of the Texas Army. His authority, however, extended(only) over the regular army, leaving him unable to legally issue orders to the volunteers already in the field.

Houston dispatched recruiters to raise the regular army as well as agents to acquire arms, uniforms, and other supplies. With no troops to command, Houston received a furlough on January 28 in order to take care of personal business. He spent part of his leave conducting negotiations with the Cherokee Indians.

With a treaty successfully concluded, Houston rode to Washington-on-the-Brazos, where he served as a delegate to the constitutional convention, remaining there until March 6. During his stay, the new government reconfirmed his appointment as commanding-general of the Texas Army, giving him control over all troops - regulars and volunteers.

Houston arrived at Gonzales on March 11 to lead a relief expedition to San Antonio but by then the Alamo had already fallen. Thus, during the siege Houston was not building an army but engaged in other important business.

[Redbob]

What an asinine comment.

[Junior]

I like historical epics and nowadays almost all of them are created for TV.

Like the latest version of Spartacus -- with the revolting slaves sporting modern hairstyles. My wife and I have started referring to these types of films as SciFi Channel Specials, because of the questionable production values of that network's made-for-TV movies.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Heck, the Indians committed atrocities against the whites, too.

Now in mentioning that above, you've left yourself open to post-modernist psychoanalysis. You see that because you've even mentioned it, it means that deep down you're trying to minimize and deny that an Indian holocaust occurred.

Well welcome to club Mel anyway. :-)

[Restorer]

Well, sons of famous writers have equalled or even exceeded the work of their fathers. Notably the Dumas father and son.

But you are entirely right that it is very rare.

[Restorer]

My response was as to whether they had the option of surrendering, not whether they had the option of escaping. Mexican law at the time specifically called for the summary execution of foreigners bearing arms as pirates. There had been numerous examples of the law being enforced in the previous decade.

The men in the Alamo had absolutely no reason to believe they had the option of surrender.

[jnarcus]

Where is your thinking cap? This analogy is just bogus. Texas ( the terriotory) was part of the contiguous land of the then US. US citizens were moving westward with and without permission. Mexico was having difficulties through out its territory. The Texans decided to become part of the US and yes they used violence to get there. Apparently sitting in Germany has addled your thinking....go back to the beer garden.

[LisaFab]

The Patriot....I don't know. I think it was much worse in terms of inaccuracy...

Right. Also, the Marion/Morgan character seems to have been motivated only by revenege and not love of country. A lot about "The Patriot" bothers me though Gibson's intention was laudable.

[Old Professer]

I wouldn't go to the theater for free popcorn; but I did catch just a glimpse of a T.V. trailer for the Alamo and I could swear I saw a snippet of a steamy sex-scene?