How many cannons did the Texans have in the Alamo?

Answer 1

Historians place that number at 18 that were in action out of total of 21 that were present at the Alamo. The caliber and characteristics are essentially unknown since no such weapon used in that battle exists today. Most accounts agree that an 18 pounder was present, at least six 6-pounders and two 3-pounders. Even if more heavy weapons were available, they would not have been relevant to the battle since there was a serious lack of shot and men well trained in the use of such weapons.

The normal staffing for the artillery of that era was six men per carriage and the defenders chief of artillery Almaron Dickinson lacked the troops to man the weapons that were present. It is likely that many were used as fire and forget shotguns at vulnerable points at the walls.