Was there ever a reason found why Travis decided against evacuation?
It seemed like a arrogant decision. He is outnumbered, outclassed and out of support range. The tactical move would have been to evacuate and join the main army. Houston's tactics were brilliant. He got Santa Anna to split his forces so he could fight him on fairer terms.
you mean attack the weary mexicans while they were taking a nap (unlike in the film)? yeah, real fair there. then again, the mexicans did attack the alamo at 4 am, but the pirates were well rested regardless.
shareThe tactical move would have been to evacuate and join the main army. Houston's tactics were brilliant. He got Santa Anna to split his forces so he could fight him on fairer terms.
General Houston was the only one who knew what he was doing. That is why he triumphed while Travis, Bowie, and Fannin all died.
shareI mostly agree. None of the other guys really seemed to know strategy at all - Bowie had his men put their backs against the river at the battle of Concepcion, which would have had the men slaughtered had a heavy fog not been on their side.
Travis had never commanded a garrison or battle before. In fact Stephen F. Austin ripped him a new one after the battle above (Concepcion) for charging his calvary at a retreating enemy.
Fannin was a disaster at Coletto Creek, which led to the death of nearly all his men. In fact, Fannin dropped out of West Point and was nearly on the cusp of suspension there for poor grades. He simply told everyone he attended West Point when he went to Texas, tricking them into thinking he was a military leader.
Really, Houston had the only solid strategy of anyone in the war. Had they listened to him they might have actually survived and won.
In the movie the man who pulls a knife on Houston was James Grant. In reality Grant was the idiot who thought he could take Matamoros with 130 men. He was killed in a brief skirmish with the Mexican Army.
Another one who wouldn't listen to General Houston.