Talk:Battle of the Alamo/Jackson & Wheat, Almonte's Texas

Almonte, Juan Nepomuceno, 1803-1869. Almonte's Texas: Juan N. Almonte's 1834 Inspection, Secret Report & Role in the 1836 Campaign, Jack Jackson, editor, Book, 2003; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth296837/m1/1/ : accessed May 14, 2015), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association, Denton, Texas.

Introduction, pp. 1-10

 * p. 10 - 1834 Map of Texas

Chapter 1, To Texas and Back Again, pp. 11-33

 * pp. 12 -22 - Almonte's life from birth 1803, as a child soldier/officer; his New Orleans education in 1815-1821 and speculation about what environmental influences he had been exposed to; iffy stuff trying to account for those early years.


 * p. 22 - 1822, Almonte becomes an aide to José Félix Trespalacios in Texas and comes in contact with Stephen F. Austin.


 * p. 23 - 26 - 1824, Almonte is sent to London in diplomatic service as aide to Ambassador José Mariano Michelena


 * pp 26 - 27 - Returning to Mexico, Almonte becames political supporter of both Guadalupe Victoria and Vicente Guerrero, in 1829 was a member of the National Congress and editor of a radical publication.  When Anastasio Bustamante became president, he issued orders for Almonte's arrest.  Almonte fled to New Orleans. Among Almonte's friends in the United States were Samuel May Williams and later Alamo defender Albert Martin. In 1831, Bustamante named Almonte as secretary of the Mexican Legation Extraordinary, where he represented his county in the Republic of South America and the Empire of Brazil.


 * p. 28 - During Almonte's foreign diplomatic service, Antonio López de Santa Anna succeeded to the presidency.


 * pp. 31-33 - January 1834 - Spurred by the arrest of Stephen F. Austin on suspicion of pushing for a separate state for Texas, Almonte is named Director of Colonization to Texas, sent to inspect the area, take the pulse of the residents and find out if they are insurrectionists or loyal to Mexico. Pursuant to the Law of April 6, 1830. Col. José María Díaz Noriega is named to carry out the same mission in Coahuila.

Chapter 2, "Flatter Their Ambition", pp. 35-87

 * pp. 38-39 - Almonte's Public Instructions: January 17, 1834
 * 1) Announce to the colonists he is their authorized representative and can relay their concerns to the government;
 * 2) Announce that the "Executive" branch has asked Congress to establish Tejas as a territory;
 * 3) Tell the colonists that Texas cannot be a state because it "lacks the population stipulated by the Constitution", essentially pandering that amounts to saying, they'd like to, but their hands are tied;
 * 4) State the colonists will have their own local government;
 * 5) Almonte is vaguely authorized to "make other applications as may prove necessary and are not mentioned here due to the pressure of time." and that the government completely trusts Almonte to do what he must.
 * 6) "If they ask..." tell them Austin was arrested for trying to incite a rebellion, but that he'll be pardoned and home soon with all his rights restored.
 * pp. 42-44 - Almonte's confidential instructions: January 17, 1834
 * 1) Visit all colonies and compile demographics
 * 2) Report on which of the most populated areas might resist if force is used
 * 3) Compile demographics on fighting strength, weapons and munitions
 * 4) Identify influential men in each colony
 * 5) Keep in touch with Mexico's diplomatic corp in Natchitoches, Washington D. C., New Orleans, and the commandant general of the Interior Provinces and boundary officials of same.
 * 6) San Antonio de Bejar, Goliad and Nacogadoches - compile demographics on populations, fighting manpower and resources
 * 7) Offer special protection to colonists loyal to Mexico and "flatter their ambition" by offering land extensions
 * 8) Put down any and all insurrection movements
 * 9) Under the ruse of stating that Texas does not have the constitutional population requirements to become a separate state, stall while compiling demographic statistics
 * 10) Do and promise everything allowed by Mexico City
 * 11) Tell them Austin was arrested for trying to incite a rebellion, but the government hopes he can prove his innocence.
 * 12) Upon completion of the tour, make a written report and also deliver a verbal report to Mexico City.


 * pp. 45-55 - Letters to Almonte and various officials smoothing the way for Almonte to do his duty; Noriega's instructions
 * José María Díaz Noriega in his inspection of Coahuila is a subordinate to Almonte and reports directly to him.


 * pp. 56 -66 - Almonte's and Noriega's progress letters


 * pp. 67-71 - Secret Report Document No. 1, January 28, 1834, Mexico City, from Anthony Butler to Branch T. Archer


 * pp. 71 -74 - Secret Report Document No. 2, February 8, 1834, Mexico City, from Anthony Butler to (? Archer)

Chapter 6, The Secret Report, pp. 203-283

 * pp. 208-209 - Almonte's cover letter dated November 25, 1824
 * pp. 210 - - Secret Report on the Present Situation in Texas 1834
 * pp. 217 - 227 - Security Measures
 * pp. 227 - 228 - Fiscal Measures
 * pp. 228 - 231 - Border Customs
 * p. 231 Post Offices
 * pp. 231 - 232 - District Judge
 * p. 232 - Consuls, Federation Lands
 * p. 233 - Geographical Situation of the Country
 * p. 233 - - Department of Bejar
 * pp. 233 - 234- Political Division of Bejar
 * p. 234 - The area of Bejar: 10,000 square leagues
 * pp. 234 -235 - Population and Municipalities in the Department of Bejar
 * p. 235 - Latitude of Bejar and Its Climate, Products
 * p. 236 - Period of Bejar's Founding, Goliad, Victoria, San Patricio
 * pp. 236 - 237 Description of the Country
 * p. 237 - Mestinas (runaway domesticated horses)
 * p. 237 - 238 - Geology
 * p. 238 - Buildings, Animals, Beasts
 * pp. 238, 240 - Ports
 * p. 239 - Map of Aransas Bay
 * p. 240 - Rivers, Projects
 * pp. 240 - 241 - Commerce
 * p. 241 - Schools
 * p. 242 - Peaceful Indians
 * pp. 242 -243 - Savage Indians
 * p. 243 - Roads, Rains
 * p. 244 - Drought, Empty Lands, Provisions
 * p. 245 Department of Brazos, Boundaries of the Department of Brazos, Area 5,400 square leagues
 * p. 246 - Colonies, Latitude and Climate of San Felipe, Founding of San Felipe
 * p. 247 - Houses, Brazoria, Matagorda, Harrisburgo (Harrisburg), Gonzales, Mina (Bastrop), Military Posts
 * pp. 247 - 248 - Products
 * p. 248 Exports, Description of the Country, Geology
 * p. 249 - Mestinas, Animals, Large Livestock, Swine
 * pp. 249 - 250 - Ports
 * p. 250 - Rivers
 * p. 251 - Projects, Trade, Schools
 * pp. 252 - Savage Indians, Roads, Rains, Department of Nacogdoces, Boundaries of the Dept. of Nacogdoches, Area 5,600 square leagues
 * p. 253 - Population and municipalities of Dept. of Nac., Colonies
 * p. 254 - Latitude and Climate of Nac.
 * p. 255, Founding of Nac., Buildings, San Augustine

Chapter 8, The Texas Campaign, pp. 351-429
The below Chapt. 8 notes refer to Almonte's Texas pp 366-74, 377, 415-418, and are pertinent to the Battle of the Alamo. — Maile (talk) 21:17, 14 May 2015 (UTC)

Almonte's journal
February 23
 * p 366 - 7:30 a.m. arrival at Bexar
 * p 367 - Bexar is captured; 3 p.m. Bowie's letter, in Juan Seguin's handwriting with Bowie's signature, delivered w/Jameson Green as courier; Green tells Almonte they wish to negotiate a surrender. Albert Martin later delivers a (looks like) verbal message from Travis requesting (I think) an audience with Almonte.
 * p 368 - Map of San Antonio by William Grattan; night falls, and Almonte sleeps in the house of George A. Nixon

February 24 & 25
 * p 369
 * Feb 24, Santa Anna "reconnoitered on horseback". Skirmishes recommence, 4 Texians killed. Music is played "to entertain the enemy".  The Gonzales Ranging Company arrive on the 24th.
 * Feb 25, More skirmishes on the 25th, 6 Mexicans wounded and 1 killed.

February 26-28
 * p. 370
 * Feb 26, Temperatures drop to 39 degrees at night; another skirmish
 * Feb 27, Cold north wind, skirmishes. Mexicans raid the Seguin and Flores farms for food and tried to (or did) cut off the water supply of the Alamo. Someone inside the Alamo fires at Santa Anna. A courier is sent to Mexico City.
 * Feb 28, Temperature zipped right up to 40 degrees by 7 a.m. News was received that a reinforcement to the enemy was coming by way of the road to La Bahia, numbering 200. (It was not true). Firing on the Alamo continued.

February 29 - March 2
 * p. 371
 * Feb 29, Weather report. 1 Mexican killed. Santa Anna struts on his horse. Sesma departs with others, to stop Fannin.
 * Mar 1, Sesma reports that ...there was no such enemy and returns. Weather continues to be cold. From inside the Alamo, two cannon shots are directed to the house where Santa Anna is quartered.
 * Mar 2, Almonte and Santa Anna have breakfast together. Menchaca was sent to seize all the corn on Erasmo Seguin's farm. The President discovered, in the afternoon, a covered road within a pistol shot of the Alamo and posted a battalion to watch it.

March 3-4
 * p. 372
 * Mar 3, Almonte writes to his sister, ...before three months the campaign would be ended. Inside the Alamo, a battery is posted on the north wall. Dispatch arrived from Urrea informing the of the Mexican victory at San Patricio. More Mexican reinforcements arrive. Alamo defenders attempt a raid of the Sugar Mill, but are stopped by Mexican troops.
 * Mar 4, A meeting of the Mexican military leaders.

March 4-5
 * p. 373
 * Mar 4, After listening to his leaders about how to attack the Alamo, Santa Anna does not make a definite decision.
 * Mar 5, Santa Anna gives his instructions. The battle to commence at 4 a.m. the following day.


 * pp. 373-374
 * Sunday, [March] 6th - At 5 a.m. the columns were posted at their respected stations, and at half past 5 the attack or assault was made, and continued until 6 a.m., when the enemy attempted in vain to fly, but they were overtaken and put to the sword, and only five women and one Mexican soldier (prisoner), and a black slave escaped from instant death.

Author's evaluation as to whether or not Santa Anna made an offer of surrender

 * p .374, Author cites Santa Anna's claim of having made the offer
 * p. 375, SA's personal assistant Ramon Martinez Caro denied such an offer was made. Almonte neither confirmed nor denied it. Jose Enrique de la Pena was not at the military leader meetings, so his info had to be second-hand. de la Pena blamed Almonte for San Jacinto.
 * p. 376, Author credits Almonte for getting Susanna Dickinson out of the Alamo and set free.

The Crockett controversy

 * p. 377, SA's battle report to Tornel named Travis, Bowie and Crockett as Alamo defenders. Almonte named no one. The author does say Almonte knew exactly who Crockett was, and two years earlier had labeled him a "political lunatic" when Crockett was still in Congress.
 * p. 415-418, Author delves into some of the origins of the Crockett death controversy.

Chapter 10, Almonte's Significance to Texas, pp. 483-492

 * Author's personal musings on Almonte