Subject: Spoils of War
From: Jeff Carter
Date:11 Dec 1997I have heard there are 2 computer programs related to the Alamo...one is a historical study of the Alamo story and the other is a computer battle game. Any ideas on that? While I've got you, let me pose another situation for you....Since the triumphant Mexican army was allowed to pillage the Alamo, why have there been so few personal effects recovered? One would think that guns, pistols, jackets, personal items etc. would have been either recovered after the Battle of San Jacinto or would have turned up in Mexico. Any thoughts...once again, thank you very, very much for your insights...!!!
Jeff Carter
There was an sale of captured goods, the list of which is referenced in Ramon Caro's account, but we have not been able to find.We do have the captured arms and ammunition list filed by artillery jefe Pedro Ampudia.
If you read Dr. Field's account (he was one of the spared Goliad doctors), he mentions that when he meets General Andrade at San Antonio, the Mexican commander is wearing a fur cap probably taken from the Alamo garrison.
Mitchell, in "Now You Hear My Horn" mentions the sale of artifacts belonging to David Crockett in 1837 San Antonio. There is a newspaper account that an American merchant captain bought Crockett relics from no less than Juan Davis Bradburn.
Of course, there are the Travis saddle bags which an unfortunate Mexican courier had on him when taken by the Texians prior to San Jacinto.
One problem is that the in Mexico things are used until they fall apart. Anything that may have returned south may simple had been destroyed by constant use.
There has never been a major dig at San Jacinto, so who knows. But a wonderful 1812 period US Militia Belt Plate came out of one of the Mexican retreat camp sites in Wharton County.
And there are lots of items which people have claimed to have been at the Alamo (especially Bowie Knives). It supports my statement that Alamo artifacts are like pieces of the True Cross.
The CD Rom on the Alamo is by Archamedia and is available from the Alamo Gift Shop. Stephen Hardin and I were the consultants.
Kevin Young.
Subject: Susanna Dickinson
Date: December 11, 1997
From: Steve CurkendallI would like to comment on on Sue Dickinson's account of the battle; she could not read or write, so she would not be too unduly influenced by others' accounts. She stated that she "saw Col. Crockett's body by the stockade fence (as she was being led out of the Chapel), his peculiar cap by his side." She was hit in the ankle by a stray bullet, from the then still occurring after actions of the Mexican soldiers, AFTER this observation.
She would know Crockett better than any of the Mexicans there. Her account, told and recorded much later, has been largely ignored when it comes to asking whether or not Crockett died during the battle or after.
Crockett's post was well known to be the South stockade fence by the Chapel. Based on this and Davy's reputation, I am satisfied with "popular" historic depictions of Crocketts last stand.
Steve Curkendall
You should review the November article on Susanna Dickinson. Mrs. Dickinson's story changed many times over the years depending on which reporter she was talking to...some of her story is outright fabrication that seriously cast doubt on the more plausible aspects of her story. I personally do not trust her account.
Randell Tarín
Subject: Mexican History Perspective
Date: 17 Dec 1997
From: Carlos GuerraI am a teacher at San Elizario High School in San Elizario, Texas. San Eli is a farming community 15 miles east of El Paso.
I am preparing my Texas history lesson and I like to include things that my students can relate to. The history of the Alamo is very "Anglo sided" and I am looking for things that our Hispanic forefathers did during the siege and I am also looking for books that give the Mexican perspective. If you know of any titles that might help me, I would really appreciate it.
Carlos Guerra.
I would highly recommend the two following books:
Viva Tejas - The Story of the Tejanos, the Mexican-born Patriots of the Texas Revolution by Ruben Rendon Lozano. Added material by Mary Ann Noonan Guerra. (San Antonio, TX., 1936 & 1985. Alamo Press) ISBN 0-943260-02-7
The Alamo Remembered- Tejano Accounts and Perspectivesby Timothy M. Matovina
( Austin, TX., 1995. University of Texas Press) ISBN 0-292-75186-9Both are excellent sources given from a Tejano point of view.
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