The nearby military garrison spots Santa Annas troops advancing.
Once scouts confirmed the armies presence, William Travis orders a withdrawal into the Alamo compound.
Day 2-Wednesday, February 24, 1836
The defenders had captured at least 1 Mexican soldier and six pack mules during the nighttime patrol. Santa Anna had begun a survey to get to know the area and the type of fortification that they would face. The Mexican army advanced to the stores in Béxar and the Texian artillery returned fire.
James Bowie, the commander of the garrison, fell ill. The doctor could not diagnose his disease. He handed his commandment to Travis.
Travis wrote his "To the People of Texas and All of the Americans in the World" letter. This letter established the Texan identity.
Day 3-Thursday, February 25, 1836
The Mexicans launched an attack of around 300-400 soldiers, led by General Castrillon. They advanced to within 100 feet of the Alamo's walls. After two hours of fighting, the Texans forced a Mexican withdrawal. However, little casualties were made on the Mexican army.
That night, Travis sent Colonel Juan Seguin to find Samuel Houston and ask for reinforcements.
Day 4-Friday, February 26, 1836
It became obvious that the water well in the Alamo was not enough to supply water to the entire military garrison. They needed to acquire water from the nearby acaquia (a community operated watercourse).
The Texans sneaked out in the night to obtain water. There was a small skirmish and the Mexican casualties were higher because of a cannon that the Texans set up.
Day 5-Saturday, February 27, 1836
The Mexicans also needed more supplies, so they sent for corn and livestock. They also cut off the acaquia running from the San Antonio River. This eliminated the Texans major source of water.
The Texans maintained a constant fire towards the Mexican army. General Antonio Gaona sent three battalions to the Mexicans.
Day 6-Sunday, February 28, 1836
The Mexicans had found out that 200 Texan reinforcemenets were on their way to the Alamo.
The morale was high for the soldiers inside the Alamo. Davy Crockett was recalled hyping up the soldiers with a fiddle.
Day 7-Monday, February 29, 1836
The Mexican cavalry, led by General Sesma, was sent by Santa Anna to intercept the Texan reinforcements on Goliad Road.
They also proposed a three day armistice and several volunteers leave during the cease-fire.
Day 8-Tuesday, March 1, 1836
Thirty-two reinforcements from Gonzales arrived at the Alamo.
General Sesma returned from Goliad Road, finding no reinforcements.
The Alamo's 12 pound carronade hit Santa Anna's headquarters.
Day 9-Wednesday, March 2, 1836
Travis sends a detachment to find corn at the Seguin Ranch.
The Mexican forces find a hidden road extremely close to the Alamo. Santa Anna sent a battalion to cover it.
The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed, unknown to the soldiers stationed at the mission.
Day 10-Thursday, March 3, 1836
James Butler Bonham went to the camp to inform Travis that 60 additional reinforcements are on their way, plus another 600 would soon start the journey. The Texans shot into the city in celebration.
The rest of General Gaona's Brigade arrives and the Mexicans have what they need for a successful siege.
Day 11-Friday, March 4, 1836
Santa Anna gathered his officers for a Council of War. They decided that they wouldn't take prisoners after the assault.
The Mexican Artillery is bought within 200 feet of the Alamo.
Texan reinforcements arrive late in the night
Day 12-Saturday, March 5, 1836
Santa Anna issues orders that the assault would happen the next day. He decided the amount of columns that were to be used.
He also determines Mexican attack positions and different approaches to be used.
The Texans are sent a message that reinforcements weren't coming. Travis tells the soldiers the grim news, and he explains their options. They decide that they would fight to the death.
Mexicans move into attack position late into the night.
Day 13-Sunday, March 6, 1836
The assault begins at 5:30 AM. The troops move quietly and they kill the Texan sentinels while they are sleeping.
Travis woke up due to the excited Mexican chants, which ruined the surprise element. He gathered the volunteers and the soldiers and said that they were going to give the Mexicans hell.
They were unable to see the troops in the darkness so the Texans open fired. They loaded their cannon with scrap metal and fired. In the brief flash, they were able to see how close the Mexicans were, and how many of them were attacking. The cannon shot wiped out half of an entire column, and the Mexican casualties were immediate.
William Travis stood on the North Wall of the battery and shot two barrels of his shotgun into the masses. When he turned around the reload, he was hit in the head, and was sent tumbling down the stairs. He was dead.
The Mexicans entered the compound through the west wall using pickaxes and crowbars. They flooded through the mission.
The Texans turned their cannon upward in order to check the new onslaught, but this gave more men an oppurtunity to storm the southwest wall. The mexicans could enter the compound from almost all the directions.
The Mexicans found Colonel James Bowie in a room near the main gate, extremely ill, and they silenced him with no mercy.
The Mexicans took control of the cannon and shot any barricaded areas where the defense was hiding.
An officer claimed that Santa Anna took a group of men, including Crockett, and ordered their execution. They were killed with swords. Santa Anna supposedly said "Though tortured before they were killed, these unfortunates died without complaining and without humiliating themselves before their torturers."
The battle was over, and an act of war turned into a slaughter. 13 people survived.