Immortal 32 facts for kids
The Immortal 32 were a group of thirty-two Texian Militia soldiers from Gonzales. They bravely went to help the Texians who were surrounded by enemy forces at the Alamo. They are famous because they were the only group to answer a special letter asking for help, called "To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World". Like all the other Alamo defenders, they were killed during the Battle of the Alamo.
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The Alamo Under Siege
The Alamo was a fort in San Antonio. In February 1836, a large Mexican army led by General Santa Anna arrived and surrounded the fort. Inside the Alamo, Colonel William Travis was in charge of the Texian defenders.
Calls for Help
Travis knew they needed more soldiers and supplies. On February 19, 1836, he sent messengers to ask for help. One messenger, John Smith, went to Gonzales with a letter for the town leader, Andrew Ponton. The letter said:
- "The enemy in large force is in sight."
- "We want men and provisions."
- "Send them to us."
- "We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last."
Soon after, Santa Anna's army surrounded the Alamo, making it hard for anyone to get in or out.
On February 24, Travis sent another messenger, Albert Martin, back to Gonzales with a very famous letter. This letter was addressed "To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World." In it, Travis explained that they were surrounded and being attacked. He wrote that he would "never surrender or retreat" and would "die like a soldier." He ended the letter with a powerful message: "Victory or Death."
Gonzales Responds
When Andrew Ponton in Gonzales received Travis's first letter, he asked George Kimble, the leader of the Gonzales Ranging Company, to gather his men. They waited for more news.
On February 27, Ponton received Travis's second, more urgent letter. He immediately sent it to Governor Henry Smith. Governor Smith then told everyone in Texas that the Alamo needed help right away. He urged all Texans who could fight to "fly to the aid of your besieged countrymen."
Travis sent one last letter on March 3. In it, he mentioned that a company of thirty-two men from Gonzales had managed to get into the Alamo on March 1. He also noted that Colonel J. B. Bonham, another messenger, had arrived safely. Travis described the constant attacks and the strong defenses they had built. He also expressed his worry that reinforcements from other places had not arrived.
The Immortal 32 Arrive
On February 29, 1836, the group known as the "Immortal 32," led by George Kimbell, began their journey to the Alamo. They arrived at the fort at 3:00 AM on March 1. Under the cover of darkness, they bravely slipped past Santa Anna's soldiers and entered the Alamo. They were the only group of soldiers to arrive and help the defenders before the final attack.
On March 5, a Texian named James Allen was the last person to leave the Alamo. He carried a final message from William Travis and other letters from the defenders. One letter, possibly written by Isaac Millsaps, one of the 32, described how tired and worried the men were, but also how happy they were to see the new arrivals.
The Final Battle
On March 6, the Mexican army launched its final attack on the Alamo at 5:30 AM. By 6:30 AM, all 213 Texian defenders, including the "Immortal 32," had been killed.
Who Were the 32?
Here are the names of the brave 32 men from Gonzales who entered the Alamo:
- George C. Kimble, 33, commander
- Albert Martin, 28
- Isaac G. Baker, 21
- John Cain, 34
- George W. Cottle, 25
- David P. Cummins, 27
- Jacob C. Darst, 42
- John Davis, 25
- Squire Daymon, 28
- William Dearduff, 25
- Charles Despallier/ Espalier, 24
- Almaron Dickinson
- William Fishbaugh
- John Flanders, 36
- Dolphin Ward Floyd, 32
- Galva Fuqua, 16
- John E. Garvin, about 40
- John E. Gaston, 17
- James George, 34
- Thomas Jackson
- John Benjamin Kellogg II, 19
- Andrew Kent, 44
- William Philip King, 16
- Jonathan L. Lindley, 22
- Jesse McCoy, 32
- Thomas R. Miller, 40
- Isaac Millsaps, 41
- George Neggan, 28
- William E. Summers, 24
- George W. Tumlinson, 22
- Robert White, 30
- Claiborne Wright, 26
Other Texians from Gonzales also answered Travis's call and died at the Alamo. They include: Daniel Bourne, 26; George Brown, 35; Jerry C. Day, 20; Andrew Duvalt, 32; John Harris, 23; William J. Lightfoot, 25; Marcus L. Sewell, 31; and Amos Pollard, 33.
Why "Immortal 32"?
The name "Immortal 32" likely became popular after a silent movie called The Immortal Alamo was released in 1911. The movie helped tell the story of their bravery.
Remembering Their Legacy
Centennial Monument
The Gonzales Memorial Museum was built in 1936 to celebrate 100 years since the Texas Revolution. One of its main features is The Immortal 32 Centennial Monument. This tall, pink granite monument has a bronze sculpture by Raoul Josset. The sculpture shows a figure holding up the Alamo, symbolizing the support given by the 32. The monument is located at the end of a long reflection pool.
In 2004, this monument was added to the National Register of Historic Places, which recognizes important historical sites.
Historical Markers
The Immortal 32 Centennial Monument received a Historical Marker in 1936. It honors the 32 men and boys from Gonzales who "fought their way into the beleaguered Alamo to die with Colonel William B. Travis for the Liberty of Texas." It also states that they were "the last and only reinforcements to arrive in answer to the final call of Colonel William B. Travis."
Another historical marker was placed in 2012 for William E. Summers, one of the Immortal 32. It tells his story, including his family history, his move to Texas, and his brave decision to join the Gonzales Ranging Company and fight at the Alamo.
Places Named After Them
Several counties in Texas are named after members of the Immortal 32:
- Floyd County is named for Dolphin Ward Floyd.
- Kent County is named for Andrew Kent.
- Kimble County is named for George Kimble.
- King County is named for William Philip King.
- Cottle County is named for George W. Cottle.
In Movies and TV
The story of the Alamo and the brave defenders, including the Immortal 32, has been told in many movies and TV shows:
- 1911: The Immortal Alamo
- 1915: Martyrs of the Alamo
- 1937: Heroes of the Alamo
- 1955: Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier
- 1955: The Last Command
- 1960: The Alamo
- 1987: The Alamo: 13 Days to Glory
- 2004: The Alamo (where Almaron Dickinson and Isaac Millsaps were shown)
- 2015: Texas Rising
- 2018: The Men Who Built America: Frontiersmen (an episode called "Empire or Liberty")
