El Álamo

The name of the town of San José y Santiago del Álamo was changed in 1830 to San José de Viesca y Bustamante, today simply Viesca. It was from this town that the Second Flying Company of San Carlos de Parras (Álamo de Parras) originated. In 1803 this company of 100 men occupied the secularized [Mission Valero] at San Antonio de Bexar, which through its association with them would become known as the Alamo. The company of Álamo de Parras helped protect the frontier town of San Antonio against Indian raids, livestock theft, smuggling, and other threats. There were more than 200 men, women, and children living in the military community within the mission's walls, many of the soldiers marrying into the local community.