THE LAST STAND OF THE NEW ORLEANS GREYS AT THE ALAMO

When the Texas War of Independence began in October 1835 several independent companies of volunteers for service in that war were raised in the United States, even though the U.S. was not involved in the war in any sort of formal way. The incentive for many of the volunteers was a generous grant of land promised to them by the Texians if they helped Texas achieve its independence. One of these companies were the New Orleans Greys, raised as their name implies in New Orleans. The Greys included American volunteers as well as many from overseas with quite a few from Britain in the ranks. The Greys were well equipped and as their name indicates the Greys wore grey uniforms. The Greys formed part of the garrison of the Alamo after the capture of San Antonio by the Texian army in late 1835. The company was then spilt into two parts with one part remaining in the Alamo and the other marching off to join Fannin in his ill fated adventure to Goliad. The Greys who remained in the Alamo defended the area around the long barracks and died there to the last man. The image above is of the last moments of the Greys at the Alamo. There are reports that they fought well, remained together as a unit as much as they could and maintained at least some semblance of discipline in their last stand. The figures are Cannon Fodder Miniatures.