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Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Yes I know I'm cute

I'm a daddy's girl

                        This is my daddy smile
                  And this is my mommy  smile






Saturday, December 20, 2014

Taxing your trip

In last week’s post about ExxonMobil’s 2013 earnings, I noted that we earned about 5.5 cents for every gallon of gasoline and other petroleum products we refined, shipped, and sold in the United States. Consider this: The federal and state and local governments collected 40 to 60 cents per gallon in taxes. The American Petroleum Institute just updated their map showing the combined local, state and federal tax rate in each state as of Jan. 1, when new taxes took effect. API US MapThe federal gasoline tax is the same from coast-to-coast –18.4 cents a gallon – which means any variations have been implemented by state and local governments. The highest gasoline tax in the country is in California, where it now exceeds 70 cents a gallon. Combined with California-specific fuel-blending regulations that drive up refining costs, these taxes help make Golden State gasoline prices the most expensive in the country. Several other states, such as New York, Connecticut, and Hawaii, are close to California in terms of the fuel-tax burden their residents bear, though none has yet joined in crossing the 70-cent-per-gallon threshold. I encourage you to study API’s map (click the graphic above to enlarge), or dig into its interactive version for state-and-local-level specifics.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Way to cool we are


Lots of stuff on my honey do list plus I picked up a new to me IPAD 4 and don,t know how to switch over stuff to the new 4 but what I do know it faster and lots of new up dates so looks like I'm going to apple s free day school for the dum soon 
Well it's done light on and looks cool next to the lake there's 6 12in strips that do all kinds of light color,s and flashing dancing  O an did I say I'm the only one in the park that's got this and a jack up cart at that 
But will it look cool down the road  we think so were putting it in the christmas golf cart parade next week ???


 

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

You miss me





TIPS FROM THE REDNECK LIBERAL BOOK OF MANNERS


> Never take a beer to a job interview.

> Always identify people in your yard before shooting at them
> It's considered poor taste to take a cooler to church.
> If you have to vacuum the bed, it is time to change the sheets.
> Even if you're certain that you are included in the will, it is still considered tacky to drive a U-Haul to the funeral home.


> DINING OUT

> If drinking directly from the bottle, always hold it with your fingers covering the label.

> Avoid throwing bones and food scraps on the floor as the restaurant may not have dogs.


> ENTERTAINING IN YOUR HOME

> A centerpiece for the table should never be anything prepared by a taxidermist.
> Do not allow the dog to eat at the table no matter how good his manners are.

> PERSONAL HYGIENE
> While ears need to be cleaned regularly, this is a job that should be done in private using one's OWN truck keys.
> Proper use of toiletries can forestall bathing for several days. However, if you live alone, deodorant is a waste of good money.

> Dirt and grease under the fingernails is a social no-no, as they tend to detract from a woman's jewelry and alter the taste of finger foods.

> DATING (OUTSIDE THE FAMILY)

> Always offer to bait your date's hook, especially on the first date.
> Be aggressive. Let her know you're interested: 'I've been wanting to go out with you since I read that stuff on the restroom wall two years ago.'
> Establish with her parents what time she is expected back. Some will say 10:00 PM; others might say 'Monday.' If the latter is the answer, it is the man's responsibility to get her to school on time.
> Always have a positive comment about your date's appearance, such as, 'Ya' sure don't sweat much for a fat gal.'

> WEDDINGS
> Livestock, usually, is a poor choice for a wedding gift
> Kissing the bride for more than 5 seconds may get you shot.

> For the groom, at least, rent a tux. A leisure suit with a cummerbund and a clean bowling shirt can create too sporty an appearance..

> Though uncomfortable, say 'yes' to socks and shoes for this special occasion.

> It is not appropriate to tell the groom how good his wife is in the sack.

> DRIVING ETIQUETTE

> Dim your headlights for approaching vehicles, even if the gun is loaded, and the deer is in sight.

> When approaching a four-way stop, the vehicle with the largest tires always has the right of way.

> Never tow another car using panty hose and duct tape.4.

> When sending your wife/girlfriend down the road with a gas can, it is impolite to ask her to bring back beer.

> Never relieve yourself from a moving vehicle, especially when driving.
>

> Do not lay rubber while traveling in a funeral procession.

> TWO REASONS WHY IT IS HARD TO SOLVE A REDNECK MURDER:

> All the DNA is the same.

> There are no dental records

    Thursday, November 13, 2014

    Looking at the money pit

    (   We recently had a guest speaker at our church. He is from India, part of an organization that our church supports.  Before he started his sermon, he asked if anyone had called any customer support numbers recently. 
    When several people in the congregation raised their hands, he said, "That's good. That means you won't have too much trouble understanding my accent.

    And No I don't go to church"an I'm going to hell for this 

    Ain't no pot of gold  in that house more like a outgoing money pit 
    But my trucks dry 

    Sunday, November 9, 2014

    Like we need this

    Do you beleave this crap.3 weeks  ago 
    stretching for the $$$$$$$$$$$$$
    I'm still trying to find a good price on a  discount turkey to cook in my Orion cooker 


    Friday, November 7, 2014

    Jack me up daddy


    Well  it's done thank you so far it's the only one in this park at this time  or can I say I'm out of my mind to do this ok it's bragging rights and it's cool 
    There's some 8 in, jack ups out there but thank you I did not  go 8 6 in is just fine 
    There's some carts jack kits that you can jack up with a 300$ kit with no A frame but it can't go off road 
     I found a sweet deal on EBay  for 202$ with the A frame kit,, And a golf cart Dealer that had 4  12in rims and tires for 125$ used,,  thats even a sweeter deal most dealers get 450+$$ new 
    The only. Thing is the tires are low pro,s not offload,, if I use offload tires it would add 3 more  inches to the high over all,, and  I don't plain on doing any offloading 
    There's guys that run the back woods every weekend with  the setup that I have but not this boy
    as for  Lights even Sheri thinks that's cool we're looking into it 
    Only the fronts done in this photo   Note the change 



    Monday, November 3, 2014

    Come fly with me,,,,,



    Well seeing as how I can't fly kites due to lack of wind And it's to cold out 
    I picked up a fan plane ( heli ) to blow air about the house  or should I say crash in to almost every corner,, good thing it comes with spare parts 
    So far I still have all ten  I started out with well maybe some raps on the knuckles but it will heal over time,, I'm a slow learner
    And yes I did order a 6in lift kit for big daddy's bad boys cart which will be the only one in the park 
    Now for the rims tires and spinners,,, ok no spinners   Say under body  led neons light would look cool. Think so 
                           Led,s would look cool  and there cheap to 
                                  Or we could try this 

                        Yes I have way to much time on my hands                




    Saturday, November 1, 2014

    I'm thinking

    Did someone  say,, Bass Boat,, ya 
    Let's see we trade the 5er for a go fast bass tracker,,,no no that won't work 
    Having a go fast bass boat in Fl, means some RV folks drop by looking to go out and drink free beer don't help pay for gas and tell tall tales 
    But it seems we do know who the best fisher woman is don't we sir 


    any buyers yet 

    Friday, October 31, 2014

    Need more room

    With the golf cart that is 
    With the car and truck I don,t have much so maybe it's time to get rid of her car either that or she can park her car over in the guest parking lot 
    The GC It's fun to drive but I wish the old bitty,s  would stop waving  to me I don't know then and don,t wish to PLEASE go in the house and cook something 
    All I want to do is ride down the park road be a bad ass and air out my beard and eat bugs 


    Wickles is good stuff

    It's spice but good 
    I think you can add it to almost anything I tried it on egg salad not a lot mind you and it was good 
    Almost thinking of adding to my chip dip ??? And my bean chili  I think it would be fun to add a new gas to the room to 

    Wednesday, October 29, 2014

    One of the seven

    Now todays the first day back to work and the first drop was to a house on a horse farm did i say it was 1/2 mile down a one lane dirt road  and the first gate was ok after that well
    Miss ,shifty here  She one of the seven dwarfs I had to distract to get in the two panel gates to make a drop. 
    So going in was ok,,they were just brown eyed on lookers, now, there's a but here,,, but  however coming out well lets say we had two escapees get out to look for greener pastures but with the owners 12 year old son we,, he,, managed to corral the two critters with 32oz  size cup of horse food 
    BUT I helped,,kind of sort of 
    So now I can add junior horse wrangler down on my work resume
    Speaking of work after 9 month on my hyanus well the 8 hour day was more then I asked for so it's bed time for this Jr, horse wrangler 


    Tuesday, October 28, 2014

    Fake Truth in advertisement ???

    Now what's with this shit  after spending my SSI check to buy my food at Walmart 
    When browsing through  the frozen freezer aisle and WOW Chili,s food  so I bought two 
    Now I ask you who,s the dipshit that packed my food box
    I want the food like the one on the box  and and i want it BIG and BOLD 
    And NO it diden,t look any better after I nuked the sucker 
    And don,t get me started on there out dated milk,,, ok,, that,s a whole nother  blog 





                                                           Well Marco likes it 

    Dads new toy

    OFun stuff ,,,,, and NO I don,t play golf ,, really,, wack a little white ball as far as you can,,,and YOU chase it.I don't think so ,, Einstein  
    I can,t even get my dogs to play fetch 
    So I got a cart to run the dogs  or is that run over the little rats 
    So what started out as a day off I got a call,, can you do us a favor 
    It was bust my butt but a feel good kind of 


    Now let's see what it will takes to JACK it UP 6in,



    Thursday, October 23, 2014

    It's hot

    It's 86 sunny and hot but it's wet heat ok,, spent most of the day running my hot wet ass all over the town, and trying to strip out the trailer of all the junk we put in at the start and stuff we never did use 
    So next time it's one of each or one of us is staying home
     

    Tuesday, October 21, 2014

    $$$ Trip cost $$$

                             Start trip

                      Miles      Gal,s.          Cost
    Alp 18.       3041.     269.2.        1011.39$
    May.            934.        60.             276.55$
    June.          1889.      183.            686.04$
    July.            1072.       96.1.          383.52$
    Aug.             581.        59.4.          236.76$
    Sept.           1340.      127.1.         462.99$
    Oct.21         3097.      265.8.      1019 .58$
     
    All trip miles     12,070
    Trip gals.      1,060.6
    Trip fuel.      4,076.10.$    
    Arv,trip MPG.       11.3
    Motor work   2,483.71$
    Ford tran,s.   3,791.00$
    4 tires              990.00$
    Oil change.      180.00$
    Oil on trip. 3qt,  15.00$
    ---------------------------------
                        12,530.71$
                          4,076.10$
                     ------------------
    Trucks cost  16,606.81$.          Truck washs not added




                          Trailer costs on trip 
            I  think I put about 8 to 8,500 miles on trailer 

    4 tires and rims   700.00$ on day one     Note,,tires did good but the LRR has inside ware 20%^
    New matterss     200.00$ on day one 
    Greaser gun          23.00$. For wheel  Hubs (one time use )
    Microwave.         119.00$
    Fan motor cost  ?? Will order replacement 
    Pass side fender skirt will order. Know cost 150.00$

    Home now what

    We spent the last night on the road just west of Tallahassee on I 10 thats after leaving the Mighty A about 11:30 and pushing it down the road 
    The battle ship was set up real nice lots to sea  but we were not suppose to push the bratass screaming kids over the side,, its there school trip
    And boy scouts sleepover,,don't get me started 


    The History of the USS ALABAMA (BB 60)

    The keel of the USS ALABAMA (BB-60) was laid at the Norfolk Navy Yard on 1 February 1940, the sixth vessel to bear the name of Alabama. At the outbreak of hostilities, her hull construction was nearing completion. Some two years later (16 February 1942), the new South Dakota Class battleship was launched in a colorful ceremony attended by many national figures. Sponsoring the vessel was Mrs. Lister Hill, wife of Alabama's Senator Hill. On 16 August 1942, in ceremonies at Portsmouth, Virginia, the new ship was placed in full commission and Captain George B. Wilson, USN, assumed command.

    The name ALABAMA was first assigned to the 74-gun ship-of-the-line whose keel was laid in June 1819 at Portsmouth Navy Yard. Work proceeded slowly until the outbreak of the Civil War when "Almost Alabama" was renamed the NEW HAMPSHIRE. 

    The first ALABAMA, a 56 ton Revenue Cutter built at New York and acquired June 22, 1819 at a cost of $ 4,500, was active in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico in the 1820s. She was responsible for the capture of more than one dozen pirate vessels and slave traders, and sold in 1833.

    The second and third ALABAMAs, both U.S. Steamers, also pre-date the American Civil War. The second was a 700 ton ship, which was transferred to the Navy Department from the War Department under Act of Congress of 3 March 1849. Being unfit for Naval purposes, the troop carrier was sold at auction in October 1849 after the war with Mexico. The third ALABAMA, a sidewheel steamer of 1,261 tons, was commissioned on 30 September 1861. She served in the Navy as a troop and cargo transport until 14 July 1865, at which time she was placed out of commission and sold on 10 August 1865. 

    The Legendary Confederate Raider CSS ALABAMA captured or sank 69 Union
    vessels during the War Between the States. Commanded by Captain Raphael Semmes(whose great grandson later served on BB-60), the 1,050 ton screw sloop was built in Liverpool, England in 1862. She was sunk by the USS KEARSARGE off Cherbourg, France in 1864.



    The fifth ALABAMA BB-8 was a battleship of the 1st Rate Class. She was commissioned on 16 October 1900 and was a member of the Great White Fleet. She was the flagship for Division 1, Battleship Force, Atlantic Fleet during World War I. She was placed out of commission, and on 15 September 1921, was transferred to the War Department for use as a target in experiments in aircraft bombing. Her hulk, after lying on the bottom of Chesapeake Bay, where she had been sunk on 27 September 1921, was sold on 19 March 1924. 

    Commissioned in 1985, the seventh USS ALABAMA, SSBN-731, a fleet ballistic missile submarine, was assigned to Commander Submarine Force Pacific in early 1986. She is currently still on patrol in the world's seas as a deterrent to nuclear attack.


    With a fighting name to live up to, Battleship USS ALABAMA BB-60 commenced her shakedown training on 11 November 1942. This series of trials, exercises, and drills was conducted in the Chesapeake Bay area and the operating area of Casco Bay, Maine. Upon completion of her post shakedown repair period, ALABAMA stood out from Norfolk and made the up-coast run to Casco Bay where she conducted tactical maneuvers in company with the USS SOUTH DAKOTA, her sister ship and namesake of the class.

    On 20 March 1943, Captain Fred D. Kirtland, USN, relieved Capt. Wilson as skipper of USS ALABAMA. It was under Capt. Kirtland's conn that the ship completed a tour of duty protecting lend-lease convoys to Britain and Russia, while operating with the British Home fleet in the "Murmansk Run"

    After a 10 day period of limited overhaul and repair at Norfolk, ALABAMA got underway on 20 August 1943 enroute to the forward area in the Pacific. On the
    25th, she cleared the Panama Canal, and reported for duty with the Pacific THIRD Fleet at Efate, New Hebrides, in September 1943.

    Her first major Pacific engagement was in the Gilbert Islands in November and December 1943. From this assignment, the battleship proceeded to Roi and Nauru. After heavily bombarding these installations, she moved to Kwajalein and Majuro were secured, the fleet moved into anchorage, and commenced planning the forthcoming attack on the Caroline and Marianas Islands.

    On 12 February 1944, ALABAMA sortied with units of Task Force 58 and launched strikes on Truk in the Carolines. Upon retiring, the force moved to the Marianas and gave enemy bases there a thorough pounding. In the course of these raids, the ships underwent severe air attacks with one raid on the night of 21-22 February lasting 13 hours. The ALABAMA downed one Japanese "Betty" on 29 March 1944. On 1 April, she was in the force making the first raids at Palau, Yap, and Woleai in the Palau Islands, retiring for a week in Majuro.

    The days and nights of 21-24 April 1944 were spent in supporting the operations along the North coast of New Guinea, where General MacArthur's troops moved ashore at Hollandia, Ataipe, and Humboldt Bay. Steaming at top speed, ALABAMA arrived back in the Carolines in time to participate in the bombardment and strikes on Ponape and Truk on 29, 30 April, and 1 May 1944. The remainder of May 1944 was spent at anchor in Majuro Harbor.

    The ALABAMA and other powerful units of the Fleet got underway for pre-invasion softening-up strikes in the Marianas. For seven hours on 13 June 1944, the fast battleships bombarded Saipan while mine-sweepers cleared the landing lanes for the small craft. On 15 June, the assault troops moved ashore under the protective fire of the "big boys," and the ALABAMA accounted for another enemy plane.

    ALABAMA steamed with TG58.7 during the battle of the Philippine Sea, 19-20 June 1944, and her group downed nine enemy planes. The result of the action was some 476 enemy planes destroyed out of a total of 545 sighted, to only 130 American planes lost and minor damage to four ships. When the fight was broken off, the U.S. force made an attempt to catch the enemy fleet, but their high speed retirement made it impossible to make surface contact. Pursuit was abandoned and ALABAMA, in company with other units, returned to support operations ashore.

    On 6 July 1944, the ship retired to Eniwetok, and upon arrival, Rear Admiral L.W.Hanso, USN, broke his flag aboard as Commander, Battleship Division NINE. After making attacks on bases in the Carolines (25-27 July) in support of the Marianas operations, ALABAMA moved into the area of Guam for pre-invasion and D-Day support, continuing until the island was secured in August 1944.

    While undergoing an 18 day logistics period at Eniwetok, Captain Vincent R. Murphy, USN, relieved Captain Kirtland as commanding officer of BB-60. With Captain Murphy as skipper, ALABAMA participated in the series of attacks and raids in connection with the capture and occupation of the Southern Carolines and the Palaus. This operation was carried on throughout September 1944.

    From the more advanced base of Ulithi Atoll, ALABAMA and other ships continued operations in the Western Pacific, the first assignment being in support of the Leyte operations. ALABAMA steamed in company with the carriers throughout October as the planes wrecked Japanese military installations in the Philippines, Formosa, the Pescadore and the Ryukyu Islands. Japanese air attacks on the carrier-battleship force were furious and persistent, however, ALABAMA helped drive off all attacks without damage to herself or any carriers in her group.

    Moving southward, the fast ships launched strikes at various enemy installations in the Philippines, shooting down 3 enemy planes and damaging a 4th. In late October, it became apparent that the enemy was moving a strong surface force into the area to oppose U.S. landings. ALABAMA was the member of Admiral Halsey's force which fought in battle off Cape Ehgano on 25 October as a part of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. This battle removed the enemy's threat to Allied landing in the Philippines, and cleared the path for further operations.

    After a brief rest in Ulithi, the big ship moved into the area on the Mindoro (Philippines) operation, and, while in this vicinity, she rode out a fierce typhoon in December, which cost the U.S. Fleet three destroyers in the group. On Christmas Eve 1944, news was received that ALABAMA was to retire to the U.S. West Coast for an extended drydock period. At Pearl Harbor, Captain William B. Goggins, USN, came aboard and, upon the ship's arrival at Bremerton, Washington, he relieved Captain Murphy as commanding officer.

    During the vessel's overhaul, crewmen was granted rehabilitation leave to rest up after two long years of continuous operation in the forward area. After clearing the shipyards, ALABAMA held refresher training exercises in the waters off Lower California, and proceeded then to join the Fleet at the anchorage in Ulithi, arriving in early May 1945. As a member of the THIRD and FIFTH Fleet, the battleship participated in the Okinawa Gunto supporting raids on the Japanese home islands.

    While carrier planes were carrying out their strikes on Kyushu, Japan, enemy planes tried in vain to break through the formation in attempt to make their suicide dives. On the morning of 4 May 1945, several of the Japanese penetrated the combat air patrol defense and, in the midst of the attack, a Kamikaze plunged through the low clouds into Admiral Mitcher's flagship, USS ENTERPRISE. Of the four other planes which attacked the surface formation, ALABAMA's gunners shot down two which crashed only about 1,000 yards away.

    On 5 June, while conducting operations off Kyushu, the task force rode out a typhoon with ALABAMA experiencing slight damage, and cruiser PITTSBURGH losing nearly 100 feet of her bow. On 10 June, ALABAMA received orders to proceed southward and join other battleships in the bombardment of Minami Daito Jima. This new assignment was carried out, and the ship proceeded to the newly developed base in Leyte Gulf.

    The THIRD Fleet's biggest venture was soon to be executed, and after three weeks at anchor, ALABAMA steamed in Admiral Halsey's task force enroute for the home islands of Japan. After the carrier planes had raked the islands from Nakasaki to Hokkaido, enemy targets practically disappeared, and the opposition encountered was negligible. On 14 July came the phase of the operation which was purely a battleship function. Three new "big ones" were turned loose on an industrial area on Hokkaido and, although ALABAMA was not one of them, she spurred her fleetmates on with much enthusiasm--at last, the dreadnoughts were getting a crack at the Japanese in a more direct way than protecting the carriers.

    ALABAMA got her chance on 17 July 1945, with her principal target for the bombardment an engineering works on Honshu Island, about 50 miles north of Tokyo. Some 1500 tons of shells were thrown into the mills and factories under the cover of darkness, but the destruction could not be observed due to a heavy rainstorm. Nevertheless, ALABAMA later learned that she had done a very handsome job of demolishing the targets assigned her.

    The end of the war found the ship still at sea, and, after 67 days of continuous steaming, she dropped anchor in Tokyo Bay, remaining for two weeks while her landing force assisted the occupation of the Yokosuka-Tokyo area. On 20 September 1945, ALABAMA stood out from Tokyo. At Okinawa, she embarked some 3700 passengers for the U.S., thus doing her bit in the task of returning the Pacific veterans. Navy Day, 27 October 1945, was spent with other units of the THIRD Fleet in the celebrations at San Francisco. On 26 November 1945, Captain E. H. Pierce, USN, relieved Captain Goggins as Commanding Officer.after being moved to Bremerton, Washington, she was decommissioned on January 9, 1947


    There sub the USS Drum thats not for  me too many knee knockers but I do take my hat off to the sub drivers with 2 showers  and 2 heads my bathrooms bigger than the darn galley plus my ship didn't have so much brass 

    Hey Cocoa We're home after 7mo,s almost to the day out,, now the fun start,s 
    And the house is still standing no water no bugs 2 gaters in  the lake, the snowbirds ain,t showed up yet so life's good 
    Plus my last X boss caught (phone) me on 95 , so it looks like we start work next week (part time )
    It,s going to feel good to have a normal confused life again 

    Sunday, October 19, 2014

    It,s the Mighty A

    Im doing the Big Gray  Boat first thing in the morning, well more like 4 
    So where are we,were on the east side of Mobile  Ala-a-bam-a 
    We can't night camp in the battleship Alabama,s parking lot but cross the road is an open lot and real doable 
    Now did i say its waterfront  yesssss 
    so all i do is walk cross the street ta-da I'm there,,  drop 13$  and tour with no parking fee 



    Wow we're in Louisiana

       Were at the Isle of Capri casino  Louisiana we made it over the Tx line yahooo
    The casinos right on the water the free spot but there's 10 paid sites as well 20$  Elec, only
    And yes it was o zero dark this am 
    It's 61 wind west  at 10 






    Friday, October 17, 2014

    Remember the Alamo!," No

    So now let's say we did the Alamo, yes we did,,  but it will take you longer to read this than we spent inside,,,,,  4 rooms , no dead people  no bullet holes but a lot of non texans and 2 from Florida, in one door, and out the other 
    We had more fun at the Market Square trinket shop and restaurant 
    Note to me DON,T eat the MOLE stuff 
     
    "Remember the Alamo!," 1836

    In 1835, a general uprising throughout Mexico sought to overthrow the dictatorial reign of President Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. American citizens who had settled in the Mexican province of Texas joined the uprising and successfully forced the Mexican military across the Rio Grande River. The objective of these Texan revolutionaries soon changed from modifying the dictatorial rule of General Santa Anna to establishing an independent state of Texas.


    A fight to the death at the Alamo
     
    In response, General Santa Anna led his re-organized army back across the Rio Grande River to subdue the insurgents. He instructed his troops to immediately execute any foreign fighters they encountered. Santa Anna marched his force to the Alamo, an abandoned Spanish mission, located in what is now San Antonio. It had been established in 1724 to convert the local natives to Christianity. Here, a defending force estimated at between 180 and 260 awaited their arrival. Led by William B. Travis their number included two legendary figures in American history, Davy Crockett and James Bowie. The men within the Alamo were under no illusion. They knew that their defense could not succeed without the quick appearance of reinforcements.

    Arriving on February 23, 1836, Santa Anna’s troops surrounded the Alamo, laying siege to its defenders. The Mexican Army began to bombard the former mission with cannon shot in an effort to systematically reduce its protective walls to rubble. The assault began in earnest during the early morning hours of March 6 as Mexican soldiers swarmed the walls of the fortress. The Alamo defenders successfully repulsed two attacks but were overwhelmed by the third. The combat was characterized by room-to-room fighting in which all but a handful of the defenders were killed. The ferocity of their defense is underscored by the fact that it resulted in the death of an estimated 600 Mexicans.

    "Remember the Alamo!" became a rallying cry that swelled the ranks of the Texian Army led by General Sam Houston. On April 21, this force attacked the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto, captured General Santa Anna and forced him to lead his troops back across the Rio Grande. The independence of Texas was assured.

    "At last they were all destroyed by grape, musket shot and the bayonet."

    The following account is provided by a member of Santa Anna's army that besieged the Alamo. We join his story on the evening just before the attack:



    "On this same evening, a little before nightfall, it is said that Barret Travis, commander of the enemy, had offered to the general-in-chief, by a woman messenger, to surrender his arms and the fort with all the materials upon the sole condition that his own life and the lives of his men be spared. But the answer was that they must surrender at discretion, without any guarantee, even of life, which traitors did not deserve. It is evident, that after such an answer, they all prepared to sell their lives as dearly as possible. Consequently, they exercised the greatest vigilance day and night to avoid surprise.

    On the morning of March 6, the Mexican troops were stationed at 4 o'clock, A.M., in accord with Santa Anna's instructions. The artillery, as appears from these same instructions, was to remain inactive, as it received no order; and furthermore, darkness and the disposition made of the troops which were to attack the four fronts at the same time, prevented its firing without mowing down our own ranks. Thus the enemy was not to suffer from our artillery during the attack. Their own artillery was in readiness. At the sound of the bugle they could no longer doubt that the time had come for them to conquer or to die. Had they still doubted, the imprudent shouts for Santa Anna given by our columns of attack must have opened their eyes.

    As soon as our troops were in sight, a shower of grape and musket balls was poured upon them from the fort, the garrison of which at the sound of the bugle, had rushed to arms and to their posts. The three columns that attacked the west, the north, and the east fronts, fell back, or rather, wavered at the first discharge from the enemy, but the example and the efforts of the officers soon caused them to return to the attack. The columns of the western and eastern attacks, meeting with some difficulties in reaching the tops of the small houses which formed the walls of the fort, did, by a simultaneous movement to the right and to left, swing northward till the three columns formed one dense mass, which under the guidance of their officers, endeavored to climb the parapet on that side.


    The Death of Davy Crockett
     

    This obstacle was at length overcome, the gallant General Juan V Amador being among the foremost. Meantime the column attacking the southern front under Colonels Jose Vicente Minon and Jose Morales, availing themselves of a shelter, formed by some stone houses near the western salient of that front, boldly took the guns defending it, and penetrated through the embrasures into the square formed by the barracks. There they assisted General Amador, who having captured the enemy's pieces turned them against the doors of the interior houses where the rebels had sought shelter, and from which they fired upon our men in the act of jumping down onto the square or court of the fort. At last they were all destroyed by grape, musket shot and the bayonet.

    Our loss was very heavy. Colonel Francisco Duque was mortally wounded at the very beginning, as he lay dying on the ground where he was being trampled by his own men, he still ordered them on to the slaughter. This attack was extremely injudicious and in opposition to military rules, for our own men were exposed not only to the fire of the enemy but also to that of our own columns attacking the other fronts; and our soldiers being formed in close columns, all shots that were aimed too low, struck the backs of our foremost men. The greatest number of our casualties took place in that manner; it may even be affirmed that not one fourth of our wounded were struck by the enemy's fire, because their cannon, owing to their elevated position, could not be sufficiently lowered to injure our troops after they had reached the foot of the walls. Nor could the defenders use their muskets with accuracy, because the wall having no inner banquette, they had, in order to deliver their fire, to stand on top where they could not live one second.

    The official list of casualties, made by General Juan de Andrade, shows: officers 8 killed, 18 wounded; enlisted men 52 killed, 233 wounded. Total 311 killed and wounded. A great many of the wounded died for want of medical attention, beds, shelter, and surgical instruments.

    The whole garrison were [sic] killed except an old woman and a negro slave for whom the soldiers felt compassion, knowing that they had remained from compulsion alone. There were 150 volunteers, 32 citizens of Gonzales who had introduced themselves into the fort the night previous to the storming, and about 20 citizens or merchants 



    The History of The Alamo: A timeline

    storyPicl_alamo-night.jpg
    • 1718—Mission San Antonio de Valero is established by Franciscan priests from Spain along San Pedro Creek, then moved in 1719 to a location south of the Alamo’s present location.
       
    • 1724—Spanish officials move the mission to its present site following destruction by a storm. Construction of the Long Barrack begins, with completion in 1744.
       
    • 1744—Construction begins for the mission’s church.
       
    • 1756—The church’s walls collapse.
       
    • 1762—Construction work ends at the mission before the roof is complete. The roof arches and bell tower fall.
       
    • 1793—Spanish authorities announce secularization of the five Spanish missions in San Antonio, granting local control of the churches and mission lands.
       
    • 1803-1835—The Alamo is occupied by Mexican troops, including a company of Spanish soldiers from Álamo de Parras, Coahuila, Mexico. The name “Alamo” may come from these soldiers, or perhaps from a grove of cottonwood (“alamo” in Spanish) trees along the bank of the San Antonio River.
       
    • 1836—Texians occupy the mission as a fortress during the Battle of the Alamo.
       
    • 1841—Republic of Texas returns the church to the Catholic Church.
       
    • storyPicl_alamo-detail.jpg1850—The U.S. government leases the Alamo from the Catholic Church, and the U.S. Army begins repairing the mission, adding a gabled roof and the distinctive curved facade.
       
    • 1883—Texas purchases the property from the Catholic Church.
       
    • 1905—Texas passes legislation turning custody of the Alamo church and buildings to the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, who begin restoration.
       
    • 2011—Texas General Land Office is given custody of the Alamo, with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas being responsible for daily operations under a state contract.

     

     The Texas Revolution

    • 1824—The Mexican government adopts the Federal Constitution of 1824 and establishes the state of Coahuila y Texas, which the Texians feel do not represent their interests. Catholicism was proclaimed the state religion and slavery was forbidden. Immigrants who had come to Texas from the United States protest, although their efforts were not successful.
       
    • 1830—To prevent further rebellion, Mexico passes a law in 1830 that bans Americans from moving to Texas.
       
    • 1832—The first skirmish between the settlers in Texas and Mexican authority breaks out in Anahuac on the Texas coast.
       
    • 1833—Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna is elected president of Mexico. In 1834, he disbands the Mexican Congress in a move toward dictatorship.
       
    • 1833—Texas petitions Mexico for statehood, asking for separation from Coahuila, with Stephen F. Austin carrying a petition to Mexico City. Austin is arrested and jailed for a year and a half.
       
    • SstoryPicl_alamo-cannon.jpgeptember, 1835—Mexican General Martín Perfecto de Cós arrives in the port at Copano, 30 miles north of Corpus Christi, with 500 troops on their way to San Antonio.
       
    • October 1, 1835—The Battle of Gonzales takes place with Gonzales residents refusing to give up their cannon to the Mexican army, causing the Mexican troops to retreat. The War of Texas Independence begins.
       
    • October 9, 1835—The Battle of Goliad results in victory for the Texians.
       
    • October 28, 1835—Despite being outnumbered 3 to 1, the Texians defeat General Cós and his men at the Battle of Concepción.
       
    • December 5, 1835—The Siege of Bexar takes place, involving days of fighting between General Cós’s Mexican troops and the Texians, ending with the surrender of Cós on December 9.
       
    • January 7, 1836—Santa Anna’s troops arrive in Saltillo to begin their march to San Antonio to reclaim the city.

     

    The Battle of the Alamo

    • January 19, 1836—Colonel James Bowie arrives to investigate the military situation for Texas Governor Henry Smith and General Sam Houston.
       
    • February 2, 1836—Bowie and Lt. Col. James Clinton Neill, commander of the Texian garrison, vow "we will rather die in these ditches than give it up to the enemy." Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis arrives with 30 men.
       
    • February 8, 1836Former U.S. Congressman and famous frontiersman David Crockett from Tennessee arrives in San Antonio de Béxar with 12 volunteers.
       
    • February 14, 1836—Travis and Bowie agree to share command at San Antonio de Béxar after Colonel Neill received a temporary leave of absence.
       
    • storyPic_travis-letter.jpgFebruary 23, 1836Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Centralist forces arrive and the Siege of the Alamo begins.
       
    • February 24, 1836Travis wrote his famous letter to "the people of Texas and all Americans of the world" requesting reinforcements. In the coming days, there were several more requests by Travis for reinforcements.
       
    • March 5, 1836Travis reportedly drew a line in the sand and gave every man the choice to cross the line and join him in a fight to the death to defend the Alamo. All but one man crossed.
       
    • March 6, 1836The Alamo falls. In a matter of hours, all the American defenders were killed and the Mexicans claimed the victory.