THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER

Took visiting Israeli friends to San Antonio on Friday to see the Alamo and was surprised to find the city has removed the parking meters on the side streets since the last time I was there. Now you’re at the mercy of the high-price lots—five to ten bucks to park. Much as I like the [...]

“On this day in 1836, the chapel of San Antonio de Valero Mission, under siege for thirteen days by the Mexican army under General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, was subjected to an early morning assault. After a fierce battle, lasting for perhaps some 90 minutes, the defenses of the Alamo were overrun and all [...]

It’s happy now. Wasn’t on this day in 1836. The Alamo was under siege by the Mexican thousands and the Texians, despite today’s issuance of their proclamation of Texas independence, were about as disorganized and fractious as you might expect a fledgling government and its ad hoc military to be. Four days from now, with [...]

Alamo illustrator Gary Zaboly’s concept of the dawn battle’s midpoint, sold here.

Thirteen Days to Glory, originally published in 1958, is one of the better myth books of the Alamo. But having only recently read it, at A.C. Greene’s recommendation, I see that it’s shot through with questionable stuff. None is sillier than the "line in the dust" notion foisted on the legend in the late Nineteenth [...]

…is Monday, actually, the anniversary of the defeat of the forces of Mexican dictator/Gen. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, in the bayous southeast of present-day Houston, practically in Galveston Bay. The Texian victory led to establishment of the Republic of Texas. The day is the last of what Texana author Mike Cox [...]

Today, at dawn, one hundred and seventy-two years ago, the Mexican army’s thirteen day seige of the Alamo ended with an attack that slew the Alamo defenders. Well, most of them, as the women and some of the children inside the walls were allowed to walk free, and a few went on to talk about [...]

Today, at dawn, one hundred and seventy-two years ago, the Mexican army’s thirteen day seige of the Alamo ended with an attack that slew the Alamo defenders. Well, most of them, as the women and some of the children inside the walls were allowed to walk free, and a few went on to talk about [...]

Among the few Alamo survivors (yes, there were a few), one claimed to have witnessed the death of Lt. Col. William B. Travis. The witness was Joe, Travis‘ slave and body servant. I mention him because the Texas State Historical Association marks this as the day that Joe escaped from slavery in 1837, one year, [...]

I’m glad to see there’s an Alamo cam again. I thought it had disappeared after the book store it was in went out of business. Not sure where this one is. Much the same angle as the old one, however. For best results, refresh the screen every so often.