The
final assault came before daybreak on the morning of March 6, 1836,
as columns of Mexican soldiers emerged from the predawn darkness
and headed for the Alamo's walls. Cannon and small arms fire from
inside the Alamo beat back several attacks. Regrouping, the Mexicans
scaled the walls and rushed into the compound. Once inside, they
turned captured cannon on the Long Barrack and church, blasting
open the barricaded doors. The desperate struggle continued until
the defenders were overwhelmed. By sunrise, the battle had ended
and Santa Anna entered the Alamo compound to survey the scene of
his victory.
People worldwide continue to remember the Alamo as a heroic struggle
against overwhelming odds — a place where men made the ultimate sacrifice
for freedom. For this reason the Alamo remains hallowed ground and
the Shrine of Texas Liberty
Nine of the 189 men, mostly Texans and Tennesseans, who died at The
Alamo in March, 1836, fighting for the freedom and liberty of Texas,
were born in Ulster, and many others in this gallant number, like
Davy Crockett, William Travis and Jim Bowie were first, second or
third generation away from 18th century Scots-Irish pioneering settlers
who crossed the Atlantic on the immigrant ships. Ulster-born soldiers
who died at The Alamo were: Samuel Burns, Andrew Duvalt, Robert Evans,
Joseph Mark Hawkins, James McGee, Jackson J. Rusk, Burke Trammel and
William B. Ward
Heroism was a distinct characteristic of the Scots-Irish immigrants
who settled on the American frontier in the 18th century and the raw
courage shown by this dogged, determined people in very difficult
circumstances helped shape the fabric of the United States as an embryonic
nation and, ultimately, as the world power it is today.
Faith and Freedom were the cherished watchwords of the doughty Scots-Irish
Presbyterians, and these ideals kept them going as they moved during
the 17th century Plantation years over the short sea journey from
Scotland to Ulster, and then trekked arduously across the Atlantic
on the adventure into the great unknown of the frontier lands of the
"New World."
Celebrated Northern Ireland historian-folklorist the Rev W. F. Marshall
summed up their work ethic and commitment to a cause: "The Scots-Irish
were the first to start and the last to quit. Vigour and grit of the
race were seen in their pioneering instinct."
A Scots-Irish prayer ran: "Lord grant that I may always be right, for Thou knowest I am hard to turn."