Post by elcolorado on Jun 9, 2011 20:25:15 GMT -5
I'm trying to determine when the Mexicans first established the north battery.
Using original sources from Hansen's Alamo Reader I can find only a few references.
Almonte wrote that a battery was erected on the 3rd to the north of the Alamo and within musket shot. On the 4th, he wrote the north parapet was advanced toward the enemy through the water course. Almonte's only other reference about a north battery was on the 5th of March stating "a brisk fire was commenced."
Travis, in his letter dated 3 March, wrote about entrenched encampments and identified two the the north. One "on the ditch, 800 yards north-east, and at the old mill , 800 yards north."
Since he does not mention a battery being within musket shot, I can only assume one of two things. Either a battery was established earlier then the 3rd and moved to within musket shot after Travis wrote his letter, or someone had a musket with a range of 800 yards.
Sanchez-Navarro's diagram clearly shows a battery to the northeast consisting of six guns. Battery was established between the night of the 4th and morning of the 5th.
Yoakum, who cited both Almonte's diary and Travis's letter of 3 March, said a battery was erected northeast of the fort on the 26th of February. The problem is that neither Travis or Almonte mention the 26th at all. He then writes that on the 28th the Mexicans erected another battery by the old mill, 800 yards north. Again, neither Travis or Almonte mention anything about the 28th. He goes on to report that a battery was erected north of the fort and within musket shot on 3 March. At least he got one right.
Contemporary sources differ somewhat as well.
Walter Lord wrote the Mexicans established the old mill battery on the 28th of February (Yoakum?) On the 29th, Lord has an earthwork near the irrigation ditch, 800 yards northeast of the Alamo. He mentions a new battery erected on the 4th that was in rifle range and pushed even closer (200 yards) on the 5th.
Alan Huffines indicates on his 27 February map a "small work built neared to the Alamo, on the ditch." Battery is operational by the 28th. The battery moves closer on 3 March and again on the 4th. Brisk fire from two howitzers and four cannon.
Jack Edmondson also says an earthwork was constructed on the 27th and the battery became operational on the 28th. Battery moved closer on the 3rd of March and again on the 4th.
So, can someone help sort all of this out?
Glenn
Using original sources from Hansen's Alamo Reader I can find only a few references.
Almonte wrote that a battery was erected on the 3rd to the north of the Alamo and within musket shot. On the 4th, he wrote the north parapet was advanced toward the enemy through the water course. Almonte's only other reference about a north battery was on the 5th of March stating "a brisk fire was commenced."
Travis, in his letter dated 3 March, wrote about entrenched encampments and identified two the the north. One "on the ditch, 800 yards north-east, and at the old mill , 800 yards north."
Since he does not mention a battery being within musket shot, I can only assume one of two things. Either a battery was established earlier then the 3rd and moved to within musket shot after Travis wrote his letter, or someone had a musket with a range of 800 yards.
Sanchez-Navarro's diagram clearly shows a battery to the northeast consisting of six guns. Battery was established between the night of the 4th and morning of the 5th.
Yoakum, who cited both Almonte's diary and Travis's letter of 3 March, said a battery was erected northeast of the fort on the 26th of February. The problem is that neither Travis or Almonte mention the 26th at all. He then writes that on the 28th the Mexicans erected another battery by the old mill, 800 yards north. Again, neither Travis or Almonte mention anything about the 28th. He goes on to report that a battery was erected north of the fort and within musket shot on 3 March. At least he got one right.
Contemporary sources differ somewhat as well.
Walter Lord wrote the Mexicans established the old mill battery on the 28th of February (Yoakum?) On the 29th, Lord has an earthwork near the irrigation ditch, 800 yards northeast of the Alamo. He mentions a new battery erected on the 4th that was in rifle range and pushed even closer (200 yards) on the 5th.
Alan Huffines indicates on his 27 February map a "small work built neared to the Alamo, on the ditch." Battery is operational by the 28th. The battery moves closer on 3 March and again on the 4th. Brisk fire from two howitzers and four cannon.
Jack Edmondson also says an earthwork was constructed on the 27th and the battery became operational on the 28th. Battery moved closer on the 3rd of March and again on the 4th.
So, can someone help sort all of this out?
Glenn
