List of Texian survivors of the Battle of the Alamo

Juan Seguín left the Alamo as a courier.

When the Battle of the Alamo ended at approximately 6:30 a.m. on March 6, 1836, fewer than fifty of the almost 250 Texians who had occupied the Alamo Mission in San Antonio, Texas, were alive.[1] The conflict, a part of the Texas Revolution, was the first step in Mexican President Antonio López 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.[2] As part of his preparations for marching on Texas, in late December 1835 Santa Anna had convinced the Mexican Congress to pass a resolution that all "foreigners landing on the coast of the Republic or invading its territory by land, armed, and with the intent of attacking our country, will be deemed pirates" and subject to immediate execution.[3]

Santa Anna led an army to San Antonio de Bexar, arriving on February 23, 1836, and immediately initiating a siege of the Alamo, which housed Texian Army troops.[4] As the Mexican Army had approached San Antonio, several of the Alamo defenders brought their families into the Alamo to keep them safe.[5][6] During the twelve days of the siege, Alamo co-commander William Barret Travis sent multiple couriers to the acting Texas government, the remaining Texas army under James Fannin, and various Texas communities, asking for reinforcements, provisions, and ammunition.[7]

The siege culminated in an early-morning assault by Mexican troops which left almost all of the defenders dead.[3][8] Some reports claimed that several Texians surrendered but were quickly executed on Santa Anna's orders.[8] Of the Texians who fought during the battle, only two survived: Travis's slave, Joe, was assumed by the Mexican soldiers to be a noncombatant,[9] and Brigido Guerrero, who had deserted from the Mexican Army several months before, convinced the Mexican soldiers that he had been taken prisoner by the Texians.[10] Alamo co-commander James Bowie's freedman, Sam, was also spared, although it is not known if he participated in the fighting.[9]

Susanna Dickinson

During the battle, most of the women and children had gathered in the sacristy of the church.[11] As Mexican soldiers entered the room, a boy, thought to be the son of defender Anthony Wolf, stood up to rearrange a blanket around his shoulders. Mistaking him for a Texian soldier, the Mexican soldiers bayoneted him.[12] In the confusion, at least one of the women was lightly wounded.[9] Bowie's family, including Gertrudis Navarro, Juana Navarro Alsbury and her son, were hiding in one of the rooms along the west wall. Navarro opened the door to their room to signal that they meant no harm.[13] A Mexican officer soon arrived and led the women to a spot along one of the walls where they would be relatively safe.[14] All of the women and children were eventually placed under the protection of an officer and escorted out of the Alamo and imprisoned in the home of the Musquiz family.[12]

On March 7, Santa Anna interviewed each of the survivors individually.[15][16] He was impressed with Susanna Dickinson, the young widow of Alamo artillery captain Almaron Dickinson, and offered to adopt her infant daughter Angelina and have the child educated in Mexico City. Susanna Dickinson refused the offer, which was not extended to Juana Navarro Alsbury for her son who was of similar age.[15]

Santa Anna ordered that the Tejano civilian survivors be allowed to return to their homes in San Antonio. Dickinson and Joe were allowed to travel towards the Anglo settlements, escorted by Ben, a former slave from the United States who served as Mexican Colonel Juan Almonte's cook.[15] Each woman was given $2 and a blanket and was allowed to go free and spread the news of the destruction that awaited those who opposed the Mexican government. Before releasing Joe, Santa Anna ordered that the surviving members of the Mexican Army parade in a grand review,[17] in the hopes that Joe and Dickinson would deliver a warning to the remainder of the Texian forces that his army was unbeatable.[15]

When the small party of survivors arrived in Gonzales on March 13 they found Sam Houston, the commander of all Texian forces, waiting there with about 400 men.[18][19] After Dickinson and Joe related the details of the battle and the strength of Santa Anna's army, Houston advised all civilians to evacuate[18] and then ordered the army to retreat.[20] This was the beginning of the Runaway Scrape, in which much of the population of Texas, including the acting government, rushed to the east to escape the advancing Mexican Army.[21]

List of survivors

Name Status in the Alamo Birth–Death Notes
James L. AllenSoldierJanuary 2, 1815 – April 25, 1901Allen left the Alamo on March 5. He was the last courier to leave.[22]
Horace Alsbury Soldier 1805 When Mexican troops arrived on February 23, Travis sent Alsbury as the first courier. His wife Juana was inside the fortress and later provided John Salmon Ford with her account of the battle.[23]
Juana Navarro AlsburyCivilian noncombatantDecember 1808 – July 25, 1888Alsbury entered the Alamo for protection at the invitation of her cousin-in-law James Bowie, after her husband, Horace Alsbury, was sent on a scouting mission for the Texian Army.[24][25][26]
Jose Maria Arocha — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Simon Arreola — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Jesse B. Badgett — 1807 He and Samuel A. Maverick were elected February 5 to represent the garrison at the Convention of 1836 which convened March 1 at Washington-on-the-Brazos.[27]
Andrew BarcenaSoldierunknownAlso known as Andres Barcinas, he and Anselmo Bergara had been part of Seguín's company. They were the first witnesses of the Alamo's fall to arrive in Houston's camp at Gonzales on March 11. Houston denounced them as Mexican spies and had them arrested, but Barcena fought under Seguín at the Battle of San Jacinto.[28]
Samuel G. Bastain — — Bastain left February 29 as a courier to reiterate urgency to Gonzales reinforcements, whom he joined en route. On the return trip, they were unable to enter the Alamo.[29]
John Walker Baylor, Jr.SoldierDecember 1813 – September 3, 1836According to his family, Baylor left the Alamo as a courier, probably February 25. He died of complications from wounds suffered at the Battle of San Jacinto.[30][31]
Anselmo BergaraSoldierunknownHe and Andrew Barcena had been part of Seguín's company. Bergara fled when the Mexican troops arrived. They were the first witnesses of the Alamo's fall to arrive in Houston's camp at Gonzales on March 11. Houston denounced them as Mexican spies and had them arrested. Bergara was sent to attorney general David Thomas in Harrisburg.[32]
BettieCivilian noncombatantunknownBettie was a black cook for the garrison. When Mexican troops entered the kitchens, Charlie grabbed a young Mexican officer and threatened to kill him unless the soldiers spared his life and Bettie's.[33] Thomas Ricks Lindley speculated that Bettie was a servant in the Veramendi home, where James Bowie, Juana Navarro Alsbury and Gertrudis Navarro lived.[5]
Robert BrownSoldierb. possibly 1818 Brown left as a courier after February 25.[31][34]
Cesario Carmona — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
María de Jesús Castro
also known as María de Jesús Esparza
Civilian noncombatantJanuary 11, 1826 – 1899 Castro was the stepdaughter of defender Gregorio Esparza.[26][35]
CharlieSlaveunknownWhen Mexican troops entered the kitchens, Charlie grabbed a young Mexican officer and threatened to kill him unless the soldiers spared his life and Bettie's.[33]
Antonio Cruz y ArochaSoldierunknownOn February 25, Cruz accompanied Juan Seguin to gather reinforcements.[36][37]
Matias Curvier — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Alexandro De La GarzaSoldierunknownHe left as a courier.[38]
Francis L. DesauqueSoldierd. March 27, 1836Desaque left Bexar to obtain provisions for the garrison about February 22. He died in the Goliad massacre.[39]
Angelina DickinsonCivilian noncombatant1834–1869 Dickinson was the daughter of defender Almaron Dickinson and his wife Susanna. After the battle, Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna offered to adopt her, but Susanna Dickinson refused to give up her child.[15][40]
Susanna DickinsonCivilian noncombatant1814 – October 7, 1883Dickinson was the wife of defender Almaron Dickinson. After the battle, Santa Anna sent Dickinson and William Barret Travis's slave Joe to Gonzales to warn the Texian colonists of the dangers of opposing Santa Anna.[15][26][40]
Philip DimmittCaptain of a company of soldiers1801 – July 8, 1841Dimmitt left the Alamo on February 23 to gather reinforcements. He was captured by a Mexican raiding party in 1841 and committed suicide after being threatened with execution.[37][41]
Lucio Enriques — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Ana Salazar EsparzaCivilian noncombatantd. December 12, 1847 Esparza was the wife of defender Gregorio Esparza, and the mother of Maria de Jesus Castro and Enrique, Francisco, and Manuel Esparza. After the battle she and her children were allowed to return to their home in San Antonio.[15][42]
Enrique EsparzaCivilian noncombatantSeptember 1828 – December 20, 1917 Esparza was the son of defender Gregorio Esparza and Ana Salazar Esparza.[42]
Francisco EsparzaCivilian noncombatant1833 – July 1887 Esparza was the son of defender Gregorio Esparza and Ana Salazar Esparza.[43]
Manuel EsparzaCivilian noncombatantOctober 19, 1830 – 1886Esparza was the son of defender Gregorio Esparza and Ana Salazar Esparza.[44]
Manuel N. Flores — c.1801 Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Salvador Flores Soldier 1806 Flores left with Seguín on February 25. During the Runaway Scrape, he led a part of Seguín's company in guarding fleeing families.[45]
Petra GonzalesCivilian noncombatantunknown Gonzales may have been an elderly relative of Ana Salazar Esparza.[46]
Ignacio Gurrea — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Brigido GuerreroSoldierb. about 1810Guerrero had deserted the Mexican Army to join the Texians in December 1835. When he realized the Texians could not prevail at the Battle of the Alamo, he locked himself in a cell and convinced the Mexican Army that he was a prisoner of the Texians.[10][37][47]
Pedro Herrera — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Benjamin Franklin HighsmithSoldierSeptember 11, 1817 – October 20, 1905Left as a courier, probably just before the siege began. Although he attempted to return to the garrison on March 5, he was chased away by Mexican soldiers.[37][48]
JoeSlave of William B. Travisb. 1813 or 1815When the battle commenced, Joe fought alongside Travis. After Travis's death, Joe hid in the chapel. Mexican soldiers assumed him to be a noncombatant.[37][49][50]
John Johnson Soldier 1800 Dispatched as courier February 23.[51]
William Johnson Soldier — [52]
Byrd LockhartSoldier1782–1839On February 23, Lockhart and Andrew Jackson Sowell were scouting for provisions when the Mexican Army arrived. Fearing that they would be unable to re-enter the Alamo, they went to Gonzales.[53][54]
Concepcion LosoyaCivilian noncombatantunknownLosoya was either the sister or mother of Juana Melton, wife of Alamo quartermaster Eliel Melton, and possibly the mother of defender Toribio Losoya.[5][26][33]
Juan LosoyaCivilian noncombatantunknownLosoya was the son of Concepcion Losoya.[33]
Samuel MaverickSoldier and delegateJuly 23, 1803 – September 2, 1870Elected a delegate from the Alamo garrison on Feb. 1 to the March independence convention, left the Alamo garrison on March 2.[55]
Juana MeltonCivilian noncombatantunknownMelton was the wife of Alamo quartermaster Eliel Melton, and either the sister or daughter of Concepcion Losoya.[5][33]
Antonio Menchaca — 1800 Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Gerald Navan Soldier — Dispatched as courier March 3.[56]
Gertrudis NavarroCivilian noncombatantNovember 26, 1816 – April 1895Navarro was the sister of Juana Navarro Alsbury. She entered the Alamo for protection at the invitation of her cousin-in-law James Bowie.[25][57]
Benjamin F. NoblesSoldierunknownNobles left the Alamo with Dimitt on February 23.[58]
William Sanders OurySoldierAugust 13, 1817 – March 31, 1887Oury left the Alamo as a courier on February 29.[59]
Jose Sebastian de Jesus Pacheco[60] "Luciano"[61]SoldierJune 11, 1819[60] – August 25, 1898"Luciano" was recognized for his service as a veteran of the Texas Revolution on February 27, 1875, in his Republic pension claim.[62] An affidavit was signed by Juan Seguin on February 6, 1875, affirming that Luciano was indeed a member of Seguin's company and had entered the Alamo with Seguin himself and Jim Bowie. Luciano was sent by Seguin and William Travis to fetch a trunk from Seguin's rancho. Upon returning, he was unable to reenter the Alamo due to Mexican patrols.[63] Luciano was one of the final three surviving veterans of the Alamo when he died in Graytown, Texas, on August 25, 1898.[64][65]
William Hester PattonCaptain of a company of soldiersb. 1808Patton left the Alamo, likely as a courier.[66]
Alijo Perez Jr.Civilian noncombatantMarch 23, 1835 – October 21, 1918 Perez entered the Alamo with his mother, Juana Navarro Alsbury.[25][67] Perez was the last living survivor of the Alamo.[68]
Eduardo Ramirez — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Ambrosio Rodriguez — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
Victoriana de Salina and three childrenCivilian noncombatantunknownThree daughters accompanied her into the Alamo. Their names and ages are unknown.[33]
SamSlave of James BowieunknownSam was spared because he was a slave.[47] Historian Walter Lord believed that Sam did not exist and that contemporaries actually meant Ben, a former slave who served as Mexican Colonel Juan Almonte's cook and later guided Susanna Dickinson from San Antonio.[69] Thomas Ricks Lindley speculated that Sam was actually a servant at the Veramendi home, where James Bowie, Juana Navarro Alsbury, and Gertrudis Navarro lived.[5]
Trinidad SaucedoCivilian noncombatantb. 1809Saucedo may have accompanied Juana Navarro Alsbury into the Alamo. She left during a three-day armistice.[70]
Juan SeguinCaptain of a cavalry companyOctober 27, 1806 – August 27, 1890Seguin left on February 25 to recruit reinforcements. After encountering a Mexican patrol he pretended to be an officer in the Mexican Army. When he neared the soldiers he spurred his horse and used his knowledge of the terrain to escape.[70][71]
Silvero — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]
John William SmithScoutMarch 4, 1792 – January 12, 1845Smith first left the Alamo on February 23 with one of Travis's first pleas for help.[72] On March 1 he guided the 32 reinforcements from Gonzales into the Alamo,[73] and left again on March 3 with another message from Travis. He was returning to San Antonio with 25 reinforcements when the Alamo fell.[74][75]
Launcelot SmitherSoldier1800 – September 11, 1842Left on February 23, possibly as an official courier. He was later killed by members of Mexican General Adrián Woll's force.[76]
Andrew Jackson SowellSoldierJune 17, 1815 – January 4, 1883On February 23, Sowell and Boyd Lockhart were scouting for provisions when the Mexican Army arrived. Fearing that they would be unable to re-enter the Alamo, they went to Gonzales.[77][78]
John Sutherland, Jr.SoldierMay 11, 1792 – April 11, 1867Historians disagree on whether Sutherland was ever present at the Alamo. If he was, he left as a courier on February 23.[75][79]
Henry WarnellSoldier1812 – June 1836Historians disagree on whether Warnell was at the Alamo. The historians who place Warnell in the Alamo believe Warnell either escaped during the battle on March 6 or that he left as a courier. Warnell died in Port Lavaca, Texas of wounds incurred either during the final battle or during his escape as a courier.[33][80]
Vicente Zepeda — — Juan Seguin's volunteers.[Note 1]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Some Tejanos were part of the Bexar military garrison, but others were part of Seguin's volunteer scout company and were in the Alamo on or before Feb 23. Enrique Esparza, who was inside the fortress as the son of defender Gregorio Esparza, later recalled that Santa Anna offered a three-day amnesty to all Tejano defenders. According to Esparza, Tejanos discussed the matter with Bowie who advised them to take the amnesty. It is believed most of the Tejanos left when Seguin did, either as couriers or because of the amnesty. Poyo (1996), p. 53, 58 Efficient in the Cause (Stephen L. Harden); Lindley (2003), p. 94, 134

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Lord, A Time to Stand, p. 166.
  2. ↑ Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 26.
  3. 1 2 Scott, After the Alamo, p. 71.
  4. ↑ Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 303.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Lindley (2003), p. 94.
  6. ↑ Lord, A Time to Stand, p. 95.
  7. ↑ Edmondson, The Alamo Story, pp. 302, 312, 345.
  8. 1 2 Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 373.
  9. 1 2 3 Nofi, The Alamo and the Texas War of Independence, p. 123.
  10. 1 2 Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 55–56.
  11. ↑ Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 371.
  12. 1 2 Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 372.
  13. ↑ Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 54.
  14. ↑ Lord, A Time to Stand, p. 165.
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 55.
  16. ↑ Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 376.
  17. ↑ Edmondson The Alamo Story, p. 377.
  18. 1 2 Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 67.
  19. ↑ Nofi, The Alamo and the Texas War of Independence, p. 139.
  20. ↑ Lord, The Alamo, p. 182.
  21. ↑ Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 68.
  22. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 1.
  23. ↑ Matovina (1995), pp. 45–48; Lindley (2003), p. 87.
  24. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 5–6.
  25. 1 2 3 Hopewell, James Bowie: Texas Fighting Man, p. 119.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 91.
  27. ↑ Kemp, L. W. "Jesse B. Badgett". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 14, 2015.
  28. ↑ Moore (2004), pp. 45–46, 451
  29. ↑ Lindley (2003), p. 131
  30. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 12.
  31. 1 2 Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 88.
  32. ↑ Moore (2004), pp. 45–46, 163, 171
  33. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 407.
  34. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 20–21.
  35. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 47.
  36. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p 29.
  37. 1 2 3 4 5 Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 89.
  38. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 33.
  39. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 34.
  40. 1 2 Nofi, The Alamo and the Texas War of Independence, p. 127.
  41. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 44–45.
  42. 1 2 Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 43.
  43. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 44.
  44. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 46.
  45. ↑ de la Teja (1991), pp. 18, 135,182; Lindley (2003), pp. 94, 112; Moore (2004), p. 60
  46. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 54.
  47. 1 2 Nofi, The Alamo and the Texas War of Independence, p. 126.
  48. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 60.
  49. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 64–65.
  50. ↑ Edmondson, The Alamo Story, p. 369.
  51. ↑ Lindley (2003), pp. 88, 109, 321; Lord (1961), p. 96.
  52. ↑ Groneman (1990), p. 67.
  53. ↑ Lindley (2003), p. 90.
  54. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 72–73.
  55. ↑ Marks, Paula Mitchell. "Samuel Augustus Maverick". Handbook of Texas Online. Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  56. ↑ Chariton (1990), p. 180
  57. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 83.
  58. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 85.
  59. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 87.
  60. 1 2 Entry no. 537. June 11, 1819. Baptized as Jose Sebastian de Jesus Pacheco, the son of Don Albino Pacheco and Doña Encarnacion Pulido. "The Baptismals of San Fernando church", by John Ogden Leal, beginning in 1731 and ending in 1855. Records of this parish church are among the Archives of the Archdiocese of San Antonio in the San Fernando Cathedral. Also, issued in 2 vols.
  61. ↑ Jose Sebastian was known as "Luciano" shortly after birth. aka.Luciano Granado, Residents of Texas, 1782-1836, vol.1. published by University of Texas Institute of Texan cultures 1984, pg.158, 196, 276, the 1820, 1826 and 1830 census of Bexar ISBN 0-911317-33-3, 9780911317336.
  62. ↑ Texas State Archives and Library Commission, Republic Claims, Reel #262, 165-178
  63. ↑ Texas State Archives and Library Commission, Republic Claims reel #262, 167-168
  64. ↑ The Records of Our Lady of Guadalupe church burial register, Graytown, Texas.
  65. ↑ Lindley (2003), p. 90
  66. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 89.
  67. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 90.
  68. ↑ Groneman, Bill, Alamo Noncombatants, Handbook of Texas, retrieved June 19, 2015
  69. ↑ Lord, A Time to Stand, p. 208.
  70. 1 2 Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 97.
  71. ↑ Nofi, The Alamo and the Texas War of Independence, pp. 85–86.
  72. ↑ Nofi, The Alamo and the Texas War of Independence, p. 78.
  73. ↑ Myers, The Alamo, p. 202.
  74. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 101–102.
  75. 1 2 Todish et al., The Alamo Sourcebook, p. 90.
  76. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 104–105.
  77. ↑ Lindley (2003), p. 87.
  78. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 105.
  79. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, pp. 107–108.
  80. ↑ Groneman, Alamo Defenders, p. 119.

References

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