All through the 1820’s, land-hungry Americans flooded into the rich lands of Texas. Land was to be had cheaply - ten cents an acre - and the Mexican government, whose territory it was, was distant and benign. By 1830, however, Mexican leaders were nervous at the steady influx of Americans. Texan and Mexican hostilities increased during the presidency of adventurer General Santa Anna whose suspension of the Mexican constitution provoked Texans into declaring their independence. Determined to regain Mexico’s lost territory, Santa Anna gathered together a mighty army and advanced northward towards San Antonio in the winter of 1835. By late February, he was laying siege to the old Franciscan mission of the Alamo where a small contingent of 187 Texans - including Colonel William Travis, Jim Bowie and Davy Crockett - had taken refuge. On the morning of March 5th, the Mexicans, under orders from Santa Anna to show no quarter, began their final assault. Hundreds of Mexicans died before the gallant defenders ran out of ammunition. Retreating from room to room, fighting with swords and bayonets, they were massacred to a man; their bodies later stacked against the walls of the Alamo and burnt. “Remember the Alamo” became the battle cry of Texans fighting for independence. That battle was soon won, for on April 21, at San Jacinto, Sam Houston captured Santa Anna himself and all but annihilated his army - at the cost of only sixteen Texans.