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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
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 Posted - September 24 2003 : 6:56:59 PM
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Just finished reading a book on the Alamo called Blood of Noble Men, written by Alan C. Huffines, and superbly illustrated by Gary S. Zaboly [Eakin Press, 1999]. The book is basically a first person chronology of the 13 day siege, based upon the words of participants - Texian & Mexican - and witnesses. Been sitting around on my book shelf, and I guess with the new film coming out I was finally inspired to read it.
Two things I found particularly fascinating in this all-around excellent work:
1 - It is somewhat fashionable by historians to discount Colonel Travis' near-mythical "drawing of the line" with his sword in the sand. Much is written about how this never happened and that it is purely folklore. To me, it's a mute point - Without a doubt, at the very least, a figurative line was drawn in that Alamo compound. Surely, each man had to consider, "Do I stay & die, or should I make an escape?" Couriers freely came & went. Reinforcements did arrive. It was a possible option ... escape, that is. Anyway, using the accounts of Mrs. Candelaria, E. Esparza, Susannah Dickenson, & Louis Rose - who were all there - an unfashionably good case is made for it happening!
2 - This is the first I have heard of this, but Huffines puts forth testimony of a mass exodus, perhaps 50-100, of Texian defenders from the Alamo after the walls were breached. They were nearly all cut down by Mexican lancers waiting for just such a move. Mexican Army reports of the dead have always conflicted with the traditional number of defenders normally associated with this battle - 180 some odd. The case is made that here died the rest! Fascinating & fairly convincing ... I'm still thinking it through.
I'm wondering, how will the new film portray these events?
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - September 25 2003 : 07:12:48 AM
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| Thanks for this information, Rich. Sounds like a very interesting read. Now, not to go off in a totally different direction, but everytime I hear the name "Huffines" I can't help but think of "Raising Arizona". Sorry... |
Theresa |
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Dillon1836
Deerslayer
USA
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July 17 2003
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Posted - September 25 2003 : 3:22:43 PM
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| I read Blood of Noble Men and recently chatted with Huffines....who was also the historical advisor on the Alamo film set.I liked the book....except of how Zaboly captured Crockett's movement in the picture....its as if hes graveling for his life. |
www.alamosentry.com
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Dillon1836
Deerslayer
USA
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July 17 2003
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Posted - September 25 2003 : 3:26:56 PM
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Madam Candelaria was most likely not there....alot of her stories are over written and changed so many times.Plus,Esparza and Mrs.Dickenson even reported they never remember seeing her.
The Alamo film I think will be the best portrayal ever.Thornton is said to give an Oscar worthy performance.He plays my hero,David Crockett,so I'm rooting for him "lol"
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www.alamosentry.com
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Dillon1836
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 17 2003
Status: offline
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Posted - November 22 2003 : 5:15:30 PM
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| I like the story of Henry Warnell....the only defender who possibly escaped the Alamo battle,but died months later of wounds from battle in Port Lavaca. |
www.alamosentry.com
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Two Kettles
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
August 01 2002
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Posted - November 23 2003 : 7:29:22 PM
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Rich,
I agree that "Blood" is a fantastic account of the battle. My only hesitation about it is that Huffines doesn't "handicap" his accounts. As Wade pointed out, Madame Candalaria, who he cites quite a bit, probably wasn't even there. He also makes extensive use of the highly questionable De La Pena account. I think if someone just wants a good read that gives a feel for the siege and battle, "Blood" fills the bill, but for seriously trying to understand what happened and the problems with the accounts, you need to also use Bill Groneman's "Eyewitness to the Alamo", that gives the various accounts in the order they appeared in print, with background on their provenance, etc. In a way, it's the perfect companion volume to "Blood of Noble Men".
Two Kettles |
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