Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library

Catalog

Newsletter

History Links

Genealogy Links

Awards

June Franklin Naylor

Virginia M. Law

Hours of Operation

Monday-Friday
9:00 - 5:00

(210) 225-1071

1836 - 1885

[ 1716 - 1813 ] [1817 - 1835 ] [ 1836 - 1885 ] [ 1886 - 1912 ] [ 1912 - 2005 ]

1836
February 8 - Former Tennessee congressman David Crockett arrives at the Alamo with a group of volunteers. February 12 - With the departure of Neill, Travis is elected commander of the regular army forces at the Alamo, while Jim Bowie is chosen to lead the volunteers. February 23 - The Mexican army under Antonio López de Santa Anna reaches San Antonio. The Texian force retreats into the walled Alamo compound. March 1- Thirty-two men from Gonzales join the besieged forces at the Alamo. March 2 - Texas Declaration of Independence is approved by delegates meeting at Washington-on-the-Brazos. March 6 - The attack upon the fortified Alamo begins before dawn. When the fighting ends, all of its occupants other than women, children, and Travis' slave Joe, are dead. Losses to the attacking Mexican army are estimated to be at least 600. March 20 - Following a battle near Coleto Creek, the Texian force led by James W. Fannin is captured. March 27 - On the order of General Santa Anna, Fannin and a force of almost 350 men are executed at Goliad. April 21 - After retreating eastward for more than a month, the Texian Army defeats the larger Mexican force at the Battle of San Jacinto, capturing General Santa Anna and securing Texas' independence. May 14 - The Treaties of Velasco are signed by Santa Anna, promising the cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Mexican troops to below the Rio Grande. September - The Constitution of the Republic of Texas is approved by vote; Sam Houston is elected president. October - First Congress of the Republic of Texas convenes. November - Santa Anna is released by the Texians and travels to Washington to meet with United States officials.
1837
February - Colonel Juan Nepomuceno Seguín, military commander at San Antonio, presides over the burial of the ashes of the defenders of the Alamo. The battered mission and fortress then stood virtually abandoned, a symbol of the brief but bloody struggle. San Antonio is incorporated and Bexar County is created.
1840
The frontier town of Austin is chosen as the capital of Texas. Negotiations in San Antonio between the Texas government and Comanche leaders erupt into violence when the Texans attempt to take the Comanche into custody, resulting in over 40 deaths.
1841
The Santa Fe expedition sets out from the Austin area on an ill- fated mission to extend Texas' economic and political influence into New Mexico. The Republic of Texas concludes that the Church of the Alamo and any mission outbuildings belong to the Catholic Church.
1842
September - San Antonio is briefly occupied by Mexican troops and several local men are taken prisoner. Forces from San Antonio and Gonzales engage the invading army at the Battle of Salado. November-December - The Somervell and Mier expeditions into Mexico are organized.
1845
The annexation of Texas is approved by Congress in December.
Texas formally joins the United States on February 19. The U.S. Government occupies the Alamo, using it as a quartermaster and commissary depot, under a lease from the Catholic Church. The buildings are repaired and renovated, the now-familiar facade added to the church in 1850, along with a new roof.
1847
Alamo Lodge No. 44, the first Masonic lodge in San Antonio, is organized at a meeting in the second story of the Alamo convento. Eight charter members are led by Captain James H. Ralston, Assistant Quartermaster for the recently-arrived U.S. Army.
1850
The City of San Antonio files suit against Bishop John Odin and Maj. E.B. Babbitt, seeking the title to the Alamo property. A verdict is returned in favor of the defendant, finding the church's claim to the site is valid. The decision is upheld on appeal to Texas Supreme Court in 1855.
1861
Texas secedes from the Union and joins the Confederate States of America. The Confederate army takes over military facilities at the Alamo with the withdrawal of U.S. troops.
1862
A battle begins New Year's eve which results in the recapture of Galveston by Confederate forces.
1863
An attempted invasion of Texas at Sabine Pass is repulsed by Confederate forces.
1865
The last land battle of the Civil War is fought near Brownsville in May. The U.S. Army resumes use of the Alamo.
1871
Bishop Claude-Marie Dubuis sells a small tract in Alamo Plaza, the "Galera," to the City of San Antonio, for $2,500.
1877
Bishop of San Antonio Anthony D. Pellicer sells a portion of the mission property containing the convent building to Honore Grenet for $20,000. The church retains control of the Alamo church.
1879
A charter is issued to the Alamo Monument Association, a group formed to raise money for a monument to the defenders of the Alamo. Though a monument design is developed, the project is unsuccessful. The U.S. Army Quartermaster moves from the Alamo to the newly-constructed military post on Government Hill, later to be named Fort Sam Houston.
1883
Bishop John C. Neraz sells the remainder of the Alamo property, containing the church, to the State of Texas for $20,000.
1885
The State of Texas formally grants custodianship of the Alamo church to the City of San Antonio.
Next -- (1886 - 1912)