DESPALLIER, CHARLES (1812–1836). Charles Despallier, Alamo defender, son of Caudida Despallier, was born in Louisiana in 1812 and lived in Rapides Parish. His older brother, Blaz Philippe Despallier, traveled to Texas and took part in the siege of Bexar but became ill and returned to Louisiana; soon thereafter Charles moved to Texas. He reached San Antonio de Béxar by mid-February 1836 and distinguished himself during the siege of the Alamo by sallying from the fort under fire to burn huts that were affording the Mexican army cover. His actions were praised by William B. Travis. Despallier left the Alamo sometime after February 25, 1836, as a courier. He returned with the Gonzales Ranging Company of Mounted Volunteers on March 1, 1836, and died in the battle of the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Daughters of the American Revolution, The Alamo Heroes and Their Revolutionary Ancestors (San Antonio, 1976). Bill Groneman, Alamo Defenders (Austin: Eakin, 1990). John H. Jenkins, ed., The Papers of the Texas Revolution, 1835–1836 (10 vols., Austin: Presidial Press, 1973). Amelia W. Williams, A Critical Study of the Siege of the Alamo and of the Personnel of Its Defenders (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Texas, 1931; rpt., Southwestern Historical Quarterly 36–37 [April 1933-April 1934]).

Bill Groneman