Thursday, March 18, 2010

The Battle of the Alamo 2010


Every year, I'm told, the San Antonio Living History Association reenacts the battle on Alamo Plaza. In 2010, the year I was there, they did it three times. I caught all of the second and the end of the third. Here's the story in pictures, followed by 5 minutes of furious video action.

General Santa Anna (at center) conducts the Mexican council of war. The Texian rebels, he says, will receive no quarter.

Col. Travis (white coat), Davy (coonskin cap) and the men discuss their dilemma. Juan Seguin is at right. I think Jim Bowie has already taken sick.

Travis sends Jim Bonham to Goliad for help.

 The defenders on the north wall can only watch and wait.

Bonham is back (just behind Davy). There will be no help from Goliad.

The men decide to stay and fight. The crowd is asked if they'll stay too. They will.

The Mexican cannon roars. The battle is on. The New Orleans Greys prepare a reply.

Davy lessens the odds. He's deadly at 600 yards.

The attack comes at the north wall. The men fire...

...then step back to reload, as others take their place.

The north wall is breached and the defenders slain. (Fallen men bow their heads and rest on their weapons.)

Davy dies fighting. The last of the defenders are killed.

The Mexicans have won, but don't feel like celebrating.

And finally, the spirits of the defenders come alive to lead the crowd in the battle cry, "Remember the Alamo!"

Now, for you brave souls who stayed and fought to the end, here's the battle at the north wall (including the death of gallant Col. Travis) as captured by my pocket-size video camera. You may click on the four arrows at lower right to view the action FULL SCREEN.




7 comments:

Kassandra said...

Awesome coolness, Evan! It must have been a thrill to be there. LOVE the video--though I hope the original Defenders ducked a little more as the bullets whizzed past.

Evan Lewis said...

Thanks, K. Kool of you to stop by.

Cap'n Bob said...

You have no idea how envious I am. Thanks for sharing, pal.

Richard Robinson said...

Just saw Fess Parker has died. Darn.

Cap'n Bob said...

I saw it too, and posted a small tribute on my blog. A sad day for all us boomers who lived for the Davy Crockett episodes to air.

Evan Lewis said...

I'm heading for World Market for a bottle of Fess's Frontier Red to drink him a toast. Tribute coming tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed, thanks Evan.