The Alamo Garrison in Battle – Then and Now

By Philip Rosenthal

 

The “What If…?” element of the Alamo Saga provides us with an amazing source of ongoing discussion and opportunity for historical scholarship. It also provides us with a lot of fun. So in this article, we’re going to engage in a bit of fantasy and ask, “What if the Alamo garrison were in existence today?” What might it look like as a present-day combat force of the U.S. Army?

 

By conjecturing in such a way-out manner, can we possibly perhaps gain some insight into the type of fighting force it was in 1836? Maybe, maybe not, but let’s take a shot at it anyway.

 

Again, this is straight-out fantasy on my part as the ultimate non-expert, but hopefully, it will engender discussion among you all and perhaps – just perhaps – increase our understanding of just how the Alamo garrison of 1836 might have operated.

 

Okay, here we go. It’s the year 2007 and the 18th Battalion of the 36th Airborne Brigade is stationed in an old stone fort of approximately four acres in the oil-rich mythical country of  Jalama, which has just recently declared itself as an independent democratic state from the despotic nation of  Hollywoodland. It is the 18th’s mission to protect the area along the northern and western borders of Jalama. To accomplish this, the 18th must run constant patrols along these areas as well as win over, train and form the native Jalamians of the region into an effective self-defense force.

 

The Battalion is commanded by a young, newly-promoted  Lieutenant Colonel named William Travis, who sailed quickly through the ranks, making his name as an exceptional combat helicopter pilot in a multitude of earlier actions in support of Jalamian independence. Under Travis’ command, he has a staff of 10, including the Adjutant Cpt. John Baugh, Sergeant Major Williamson, Chief Surgeon Pollard, Chief Engineer Maj. Jameson, Quartermaster Officer Lt. Melton, Supply Officer Smith, Artillery Commander Cpt. Dickerson and Ordnance Chief Maj. Evans and his staff.

 

He has a 30-man Artillery company, commanded by Cpt. William Carey, a 60-man  Infantry company commanded by Cpt. William Blazeby, a 25-man Aviation detachment commanded by Cpt. John Forsyth., and  a 10 – man reconnaissance platoon commanded by Cpt. Juan Seguin. In addition, there is a 33-man Motorized Infantry/Combat Support company commanded by Cpt. James Bowie (formerly a Lt. Colonel but recently demoted two ranks for various “indiscretions”). Also assigned to the battalion is 16-man Special Forces Team ODA 911 commanded by Cpt. William Harrison, with Team Sergeant (1-0) David Crockett, and a 32-man Airborne Ranger company, commanded by Cpt. Albert Martin.

 

As the battalion, which is little more then the size of an augmented infantry company, contemplates accomplishing its mission, they know that adjustments will have to be made. Travis, knowing that the substantial Hollywoodlander army will make its way over the San Fernando Mountains in a matter of days, has been told that he will have to make do with what he has. He also knows he can’t possibly turn the indigenous troops into an effective fighting force in that time. With these additional 400 or so men, he feels he would have a better chance. Because of political considerations, being so close to the borders of a number of independent but not necessarily democratic nations, he cannot call in air support for fear of escalating the conflict into a full-fledged regional war.

 

How would you form the troops?

 

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