Sunday, February 28, 1836: Fannin’s Folly
The men of the Alamo continued to be very vigilant of the actions and movements of the Mexican army, which now surrounded their fort.
The Mexicans continued their bombardment from their batteries in the south, west, and their newest position, north of the Alamo. Santa Anna gave precise instructions to his gunners of the north battery to target the Alamo’s weakest point, its north wall.
Sometime after February 16, James Butler Bonham had ridden into Goliad from the Alamo. Travis sent Bonham to the Texas colonies to recruit reinforcements. Colonel James Fannin, in command of 400 men, had one of the largest companies, and at only 95 miles, it was also one of the closest outposts to the Alamo.
Even with Travis’s pleas for help, Colonel James Fannin, in command of the forces at Goliad, was reluctant to go to the Alamo’s aid. Finally, on February 26, after much arm-twisting from his officers, he set out for the Alamo. Fannin’s relief force consisted of 320 men, four cannon, and supporting supply wagons. But this ill-fated venture would never get to the Alamo.
Fannin’s problems began almost immediately. They’d barely gone 200 yards from Fort Defiance when their first wagon broke down. And then, when they attempted to cross the storm-swollen San Antonio River, it would take them over six hours to get across. By then, it was late afternoon. Fannin ordered them to camp for the night. But Fannin’s troubles were far from over.
When the men awoke after a fitful, cold, and rainy night, they discovered that their oxen had wandered off. Finally, after rounding up the animals, they found they’d forgotten to bring food for breakfast.
Completely frustrated, Fannin gave up and ordered the company back to Goliad and Fort Defiance. Fannin’s poorly planned and poorly executed attempt had barely traveled a mile in what would have been a 95 mile journey. James Fannin would make no further attempts to go to the aid of the Alamo.
Still Current 