Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-04-21
rrom the New Orleans True American.

From the New Orleans True American
LATE AND IMPORTANT FROM Texas
We learn by passenger Of the schooner
Camanche, eight days from Texas, that
the war has assumed serious character
Onthe 25,h February the Texian garrison
IN Bexar consisting of so men, command
ed by 1t. Col. b. Travis, was attacked
by the advance division of General Santa
Anna. consisting Of 900 men, who were
repulsed with the loss Of many killed, (be.
tween 500 and 500 mem without The loss
OF one man of the Texans. About the
same time, Col, Johnson, with party of
10 men, while accommodating The west
ward OF San Patricio, was surrounded 10
the night by large body Of Mexican
troops. In the morning the demand Of
surrender was made by the Mexican com.
mander Internationally, which was rcfu
sed, but an offer Of surrender was made
as prisoners Of war. which was acceded to
by the Mexicans but no sooner had the
Texans marched out Of iheirqriariers and
stacked their arms, than general fire
was opened upon them, by the whole
Mexican force. The Texans attempted
to escape, but only three of them succeed
ed, one OF whom was Col Johnson.
Between the 25th February and and
March, the Mexicans were employed in
forming entertainments around the Alamo,
ami bombarding the place; on the 2nd of
March, Col Travis wrote that 400 shells
had been thrown into The Alamo, without
Injurng a man. On the lst March, the
garrison of Alamo received reinforce.
ment OF 50 Texans from Gonzales, hay.
ing forced their way through the enemy's
lines, making the number in the Alamo
consist of $50 men.
On the 9Th Of March about midnight.
the Alamo was assaulted by the whole
Mexican army, commanded by Santa Au-
ma IN person. The battle was desperate
until daylight. when only seven men be
longing TO the Texian garrison were found
alive, who cried for quarters, but were
told That there was none for them They
then continued fighting until the whole
were butchered. One woman Mrs Dick
inson) and a negro Of Col. Travis were
the only persons whose lives were spared
We regret to say that Col David Crock
ct, bis companion, MIR. Jesse Benton, and
Col. Bonham, Of South Carolina. were
among the number slain, Col Bowie was
murdered in his bed, sick and helpless
'en Cos, on entering the fort, ordered the
servant oil Col. Travis 10 point out the DO.
dy oil his master, he did SO, when Cos
drew bis sword, and mangled the face and
limbs with the malignant feelings ola Ca.
manche savage. The bodies of the slain
were thrown into heap in the centre of
the Alamo and burnt. The loss of the
Mexcan5 10 stormlng the place was not
less than one thousand killed and mortal
~ wounded, and as many more wounded :;
making, with their loss in the first assault
between two and three thousand men,
The flag used by the Mexcans was
blood red one, in the place of the consti
tutIonal flag. Immediately after the cap
tnre, Gen. Santa Anna sent Mrs Dickln
son and servant to Gen. Houslon's camp.
accompanied 10y a Mexican with nag.
who was the bearer Of note from Gen
Santa Anna. offering the Texans peace
aud general amnesty if they would lay
down their arms and submit TO his govern
ment. Gen. H0uston's reply was: True,
sIr, you have succeeded in killing some Of
our brave nCn, but the TEXANS are not
yet conquered"
The effect Of the Eall OF Bexar through
out Texas was electrical every ynan who
could use rifle, and was 10 a condition
to take the field, marched forthwith to the
seat OF war. 1t is believed that not less
than 1000 ritlemen we're on their way 60
the army when the Camauche sailed, de.
termlned TO wreak their vengeance on The
Mexcans.
General Houston had burnt Gonzales
and fallen hack Oh the Colorado, with
bout GOO men Col. Tanning was in the
fort at Gollad. a very strong position, well
supplied with mnnitlons aud provisions,
aud from 400 to 500 men.
The general determination of the people
OF Texas is TO abandon all their occupa
tons and pursuits OF peace, and to contin
ue In arms until every Mexican east ufthe
RIO del Norte shall be exterminated.