Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-04-21

C0nrtation.
CoMM,NpANCs or rnE ALAMO,
Bclar, Mareh3, 1896.
SIR-ln the present confusion of the political
authorities OF the country, n in the absence ofthc
commander in Chief, beg leave To communicate
tn YOU the situation of this garrison. \ On have
doubtless already seen official report Of the ac-
ton of the 18th uli. made ON That day 10 Gen. Sam.
Houston, together with the various oommunird-
tons heretofore sent by express. | shall there
fore oonfno myself to what la, uan>pircd since
that date.
From the 18th to the present date, the enemy
have kept up a bombardmont from two howilzcr,,
tone five aud half inch, and the oillel eshl
inch, aud a heavy cannonadc from Two long nine
poundcrs, mounted ON battery on the opposite
side OF the river al the distance OF unt hundred
wards from, our walls. During this period the enc
my have been busy employed in cncifcling us
with intrcnclied cncampments Oh all sides, al the
following distance, TO wit: In Bclr, four hundred
yards west; IN Lavlcra, three hundred yards
south AT the powder house, thousand yard,
east by south tho ditch eight hundred yards
north east ; and at the old mill, c,ehl hundred
yaiJs northumberland all this a eonpa-
ny OF thirty two men from Gonzdlc, made thcr
way into the mourning of the Is, inst, at 3
O'Clock, and Col. J. Il. Bonham, "A courier from
Gonzales, got IN this morning al ! O'clock, with
out molestalIon have - fortified this place,
that the walls generally proof against cannon
balls aud | still continue 10 ntrrnch ON the in
side, and strengthen the walls by throwing up dirt
At least two hundred shots have fallen inside Of
our works without having injured SINGLE man
indeed we have been 50 fortunate as not 10 lose
man from any cause, and We have killed many of
the enemy. Tho spirits OF my men are still hicI
although they have had much 10 dcpress them. We
hakn tplt i.u IA
whose numbers variou,v estimated AT from
1900 to 5000 men, Gen. Ramirez Sienna and
Col. Ba,res, the AID dc camp of Santa Ana at
their head report was circulated that 81. Ana
himseltwa with the enemy, but | think it was
false. \ reinforcement OF about 1000 men is now
entering i'elar from the west, aud think il more
than prob bic that Santa Ana now in Town from
the rejoicing we hear. Colonel flaming is SAID to
DE on the march 10 this place with rciniorcementS,
but fear IT Is not true, a, have repeatedly sent
To him ior and without receiving any. Col Bon
ham, my special messenger, arrived at La Bahia
fourteen days ago, with request for AID and
sent an express 10 Colonel +. which arr, ed At Co
lad on the next day, urging him To send lls rein
forcemcnts-none hare get drrircd | look Il,
the colonies alone for aid unless it arrives soon
shall have 10 fight the enemy on his own terms
l will however dn the be, can under Tia, cir
cumstances and feel confident that the deter
mined valor, and The desperate courage, hereto
fore evinced by my men, will not t,,l them in the
hast struggle and although they be sacrificed T.,
the vengeance OF a Gothic enemy the victory will
cost the enemy SO dear, ii will be worse for him
than defeat. hope Your honorable body will
hasten OH relnlorccments, ammunition and pro,i-
SONS to our aid, possible. We have pro-
visions Tor twenty days lor the men we have
our supply OF ammunition IS limited. At least five
hundred pounds OF cannon powder, aud Two hun
dred rounds OF six, nlne twelve and eighteen pound
balls ten KEGS OF rifle powder, and Il supply Of
lead, should be sent to this place without delay
under sufficient guard.
lfthese things are promptly sent and hree re-
Inducements are FASTENED Ia this frontier this
nc'ghborhood will be the great and decisive battle
ground. The power of Santa Ana is TO he me,
here, or in the colonies we had better meet here
than to suffer war of desolation to raec in our
settlements. \ blood red banner waves from the
church OF Bear and in the camp above us in ok en-
that the war Is one of vengeance against rebels .
they have declared us as SUCH and determined
that we should surrender at discretion ar liza, ,L;
garrison should be pat to the sword. Their threats
have had no influence on me, or NV men. bnt +,
make all fight with desperation, and thai bioh
souIcd courage which charactcril,s N, na,r;n,
who is willing to die in defence of his caant,v,
liberty, and his own honor.
The citizens of this municipality are al nm,
enemies, except those who have joined u, here
totorc we have but three Mcxicans now in tn,
fort; those who have not joined us in this eAtrcml
~, should he declared public enemies and thei
property should aid in paying the expenses of ii
The bearer of this will give your honorable bod
statement more in detail should lac escape throuo
the enemy's line.
Cop AND TEx,s-NIcronY OR DEArn!
Your Ohed't Ser'i,
W. BARRETT +. TRAVIS
Lieut.. Col. Comm.
~. The enemy's troops are still arriving
an the relnioIeements will probably amount 10 iM.