Dateline Alamo:
Antonio López de Santa Anna, Manifesto: Béxar was held by the enemy and it was necessary to open the door to our future operations by taking it. To remedy the situation, Santa Anna brought in his army.
February 16, 1836: Santa Anna crosses the Rio Grande into Texas.
Santa Anna planned for the main army to cross the Rio Grande above Laredo and make a quick forced march to San Antonio. But getting there would become an ordeal they were unlikely to forget. While in the south, Gen. Jose Urrea led a smaller force from Matamoros headed toward San Patricio, Refugio and Goliad.
A blizzard struck as Santa Anna began to move, with snow and a bitterly cold wind that cut like a razor. Then there was rain and more snow. It turned to a frozen slush and then mud. Marching through mud, they learned, was more tiring than wading through snow drifts.
Munition wagons and gun carriages carried those too weak to march. Many died along the way. Oxen, pulling overloaded carts through the mud, died in harness. Pack animals froze to death. The ground behind looked like a battlefield, strewed with broken wheels, discarded equipment, abandoned wagons and dead animals.
'We put in the wagons some of the dying wretches we found on the road,' said one soldier.
'I remember a poor wretch we found, at the point of death, unable to move, loaded down with a gun and pack. We placed him in one of the wagons but he expired before the day's journey was over.'
Santa Anna, who insulated himself from the suffering of his men, rode ahead with the First Division. The rest of his army were about 10 days behind.
February 17, 1836: Travis sends out letters pleading for men and supplies. General José de Urrea crosses the Rio Grande.
February 21, 1836: Santa Anna arrives at the Medina River.
February 22, 1836: Heavy rains had swollen Medina River which spoiled a surprise attack on the Alamo by Joaquín Ramírez y Sesma, commander of a brigade that Santa Anna ordered sent in advance of his main body of troops.