The Battle of the Alamo was fought in February and March 1836 in San Antonio, Texas. The conflict, a part of the Texas Revolution, was the first step in Mexican President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna's attempt to retake the province of Texas after an insurgent army of Texian settlers and adventurers from the United States had driven out all Mexican troops the previous year. Mexican forces began a siege of the Texian forces garrisoned at the Alamo Mission on Tuesday, February 23. For the next twelve days, Mexican cannons advanced slowly to positions nearer the Alamo walls, while Texian soldiers worked to improve their defenses.

The Alamo

The Battle of the Alamo was fought in February and March 1836 in San Antonio, Texas. The conflict, a…

The skyline of the battle field with military important features labeled.

Military Landscape

The skyline of the battle field with military important features labeled.

Conflict with a rattlesnake. Caption below illustration: "The snake when about a yard distant, made a violent spring. Jervas caught it in his right hand, directly under his head. He squeezed it with all his power. Its eyes almost started out of its head. It lashed its body on the ground, at the same time rattling loudly."

Conflict with a Rattlesnake

Conflict with a rattlesnake. Caption below illustration: "The snake when about a yard distant, made…