The Somerset herald and farmers' and mechanics' register. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 183?-1852, 1846-10-20

! reveals TO the occupants oil the fort the ef-
feet of the midnight labors oftheir enemy,
4 IN the establishment of two additional
F.. batteries within the Alameda ofthe Alamo.
/ The bavOneis of the infantry. crossed
over the river during the night. glitter in
the morning beams, and the plumes of
| the cavalry are seen waving on the east
ern hills, to intercept the expected aid
from that quarter. The contest is renew
ed by slight skirmish between a few of
the Texans, sent in quest of wood and
water, and detachment under the Mexl-
can General Ses:na: but this is a mere
overture to the grand performance of the
day. The lhunders of the heavy ord
nance, under the direction of Colonel
Ampudia, ..are soon reused into action:
volIey after vollev is poured into the fort,
and answered only. except at rare inter-
walls, by the shouts Of those Within
| There is no pause, no cessation. Still
the cann0nade goes on; shells 1y kissing
through the air, and balls bury themselves
within the ramparts; but night comes on,
and the Mexican general can see no pro-
gress. Baff1ed but not discouraged, he
advances his line of posts, ant prepares
with the morning light TO enter again
upon his task. The north wind sweeps
over the prairies, as it only sweeps in
Texas: stormy lullaby to the stormy
passions of those contending hosts. The
darkness is broken only by the feeble
blaze of few huts. fired by the Texans.
which have furnished a cover to the enc
my. The flames curl upwards with a
sickly glare, throw fitful light for mo-
ment upon the slumbering army, and ex-
pire. The reign of darkness and Of ST.
lence is resumed.
On the next day the Mexicans appear
inactive There is but little firing on
either side. Those within the fort, with
spirits unsubdued, and with energies
weakened but not exhausted, are apply
ing their limited resources to the purposes
of defence. No heart falters; no pulse
throbs with diminished power, no hand
shrinks from the labor that necessity inn
poses; all is confidence and determination
firm reliance springing from the holt
ness of the cause, and the certainty of its
final triumph. Sunday follows, but
brings no rest TO those whom God has
created in his own image, vet endowed
with such unhsllowed passions. Per
shaps within the chapel Of the Alamo, con-
secrated TO the worship of the Almighty,
and distinguished by the emblem ofman's S
salvation which surmounts the dome,
heads NAV be bowed in prayer to the God
of battles for deliverance from their san
gui nary foe: but that foe takes no heed of
Sabbaths. Exclusive followers, as they
proclaim themselves, of the true church.
/ they doom to destruction the very temple
! they have erected for It's worship; and,
kissing the cross suspended from their
nccks, and planted before every camp,
they point their guns upon the image OF
/ that Saviour they once made the tutelary
deity Of the Alamo. The fire of the ar
tilIerv keeps company with the minutes as
they roll on. Morning, midday and eve
ming are passed yet there is no faltering
among those who are defending
the ThermopyIa of Texas. Another sun
rises and sets; and yet another: still the
indomitable hearts within quail not before
the unceasing efforts of their enemy. In
spite of that enemy's vindictive vigIlence,
/ the little garrison receives from Gonzales
a reinforcement Of Ihirty-three men: addi-
! tional victims for the funeral pyre, soon to
( - lo,ll 81
rounding hills, as a human hecatomb to
Mexican vengeance.
New batteries arc erected by the be-
siegers: from every point around the mis-
siles of destruction concentrate upon the
Alamo. The circles grow smaller and
smaller. The final hour must soon come.
Provisions are not yet exhausted; but the
ammunition is almost gone. Water for
days has been supplied by the daring ei-
forts of solitary Mexican woman, who
through showers of grape and musketry,
has threaded her way from the river tc
the castle, while her own blood has mark.
ed the path. She bears with her tho
spirit of her iilustrious ancestor, stretched
upon the racks of Corlez; and il is no
the fear of death or the torture that car
swerve her from her purpose. In he
presence there is hope, and JOY, and life
At each arrival she is hailed by the gar
rison as the guardian angel of the Alamo
and until ii falls her efforts fail not.
| The siege has continued for ten DAYS
The Mexican General has received Iarg,
reinforcements, and his army now mum
bers thousands. He has been unceasin!
in his efforts to batter down the walls
but has thus far failed. The triumph il
with Travis; but it is written in the hear
of his ruthless foe that he must die; AM
when the cannonade is suspended on TIN
9Th of March. Santa Anna has determines
that the hour for the assault has arrived
During ten days blood-red flag has beer