TitleThe Alamo did not become a symbol of Texan independence because it was a good idea on the part of Texans. It became a symbol of Texan independence because many brave men made a very, very rash decision. They decided to defend a point that they knew they could not defend to the last men. Courageous Texans willingly gave their lives to “fight the good fight.” There were three main heroes of the Battle of the Alamo. William Barret Travis was born in Edgefield Co. SC. He trained as a lawyer and practiced in Claiborne, Alabama. He came to Texas both to make his fortune and he supported the revolt against Texas (William Barret Travis). Santa Anna, the Mexican general and dictator, who led the Mexican army against the Alamo, had already sent another general to do the job. This first general, Santa Anna's brother-in-law, General Cos, had "ordered the arrest of several troublemakers, including William Barret Travis (Sorrels 31)." William Barret became the main reason why the Alamo so captured people's imaginations, both during Texan independence and in the years that followed. As the battle continued, he sent a series of captivating letters. Jim Bowie was originally the commander of the Alamo garrison but was bedridden following a fall he suffered while fortifying the Alamo. He was then put to bed (Sorrels 59). Bowie was sent to the Alamo by Sam Houston to inspect the Alamo and decide on the weather or not to blow it up (Sorrels 34). Jim Bowie was an experienced outdoorsman who made his fortune selling slaves and smuggling goods. He and Travis shared command of the Alamo until he became bedridden (Landauro). Jim Bowie inspired both the men who fought their last, desperate stand and the Texans who would remember him...... middle of paper ...... on monuments built to honor the fallen , there are these words: "Thermopylae had its messenger of defeat; the Alamo had none." After the Alamo, the Texan army grew in number and conviction. On April 19, 1836, the Texans triumphed of the Mexican army at the Battle of San Jacinto and forced General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the "Napoleon of the West", to surrender his troops and return to Mexico (Sam Houston, the commander in chief). of the new Republic of Texas, rallied his troops with a stirring speech before the battle He said: “Victory is certain! who were murdered at Goliad cry out for vengeance. Remember the Alamo! (Sam Houston “Remember the Alamo”). With their victory, driven by the memory of the Alamo, Texas gained its independence..