20. The Texans knew the Mexicans were returning in late December
General Cos was General Santa Anna’s brother-in-law, and the latter viewed the former’s surrender as impugning the family honor. He split his army, sending about 550 men from Matamoros to Goliad. Santa Anna then led the rest of the army toward San Antonio de Bexar, where he intended to avenge the defeat. He marched his army along a road known as the Camino Real, which approached San Antonio from the west. The weather was dreadful, by February record low temperatures were felt, and heavy snows impeded the army as it struggled north. Men died of hypothermia, suffered from dysentery, and contended with raids launched by Comanche warriors.
On February 17, 1836, the Mexican Army under Santa Anna entered Texas. As they marched, Bowie arrived in Bexar under orders from General Houston to destroy the fortifications there, including the Alamo mission outside of the town. He was then to withdraw. When Bowie arrived with thirty men, he found 78 Texas volunteers in the town, under the command of James Neill. Bowie wrote to the governor of Texas and recommended the town be held. The following day, February 3, Travis arrived with thirty men. On February 8 Colonel David Crockett of Tennessee arrived with another dozen men. Neill officially ceded his command to Travis on February 11, but most of the men distrusted him. Instead, they elected Bowie to command the post on February 12.