Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1847-02-04

newed by a slight skirmish between a
few of the Texans, sent in quest Of wood
and water, and a detachment under the
!, Mexican General Sesma but this is but
mere overture to the grand performance
Of the day The ihunders of the heavy
ordnance, under the direction Of Col.
Ampudia, are soon reused into action
Volley after volley is poured into the fort,
and answered only at rare intervals, by
the shout of those wiihin There is no
pause, no cessation. Still the cannon
ade goes on-shells fly, hissing through
the air, and the balls bury themselves
within the rampans f; but night comes
on and the Mexican General can see no
progress Baflled but not discouraged ,
he advances his line Of posts, and pro-
pares, with the morning light, to enter
upon the task.
The north wind sweeps over The prai-
ries, as it only sweeps in Texas-a stor-
my lullaby TO the stormy passions OF those
contending hosts. The darkness is bro
ken only by the feeble blaze Of few
hu,s, fired by the Texans, tina, have fur
nished a cover to their enemy. The
flames curl upwards with sickly glare,
throw a ftlul light for moment upon
the slumberng army, and expire. The
reign Of darkness aud Of silence is re-
sumed.
On the next day the Mexicans appear
inactive. There is but lule firing on
each side. Those within the fort, with
spirits unsubdued, and with energies
we ak ened, but not exhausted, are ap-
wing their limited resources TO the pur-
pose of defence. No heart falters, no
pulse throbs with diminished power. no
hand shrinks from the labor that necessi-
ty imposes all its confidence and deter
mination-a firm reliance springing from
the holiness Of the cause, and the cer-
tainty Of its final triumph. Sunday fol-
lows bu: brings no rest.
The fire Of the Mexican artillery
keeps company with the minutes as they
roll on. Morning, midday and evening
are passed yet there is no faIteriug among
those who are defending the Thermopyle
of Texas. Another sun rises and sets,
and yet another still the indomitable
hearts within quail not before the unceas-
ing efforts Of their enemy. In spite OF
that enemy's vindctive vigilance, The
little garrison receives from Gonzales a
reinforcement of ihir,y-three men-ad-
drlonal victims for the funeral pyre, soon
to be kindled by Santa Anna on the sur
rounding hills as a human hecatomb TO
Mexican vengeance.
New bat,arics are erected by the be-
siegcrs, and from every point around the
missiles of destruction concentrate. upon
the Alamo. The circles grow smaller
and smaller The final hour must soon
come. Provisions are not yet exhaust
ed but the ammunition is almost gone
Water for days has been supplied by the
efforts of solitary Mexican woman,
who through a shower Of grape and mus
ketry has threaded her way from the riv.
er TO The castle, willie her own blood has
marked her path. She bears with her
the spirit of her ilustrious ancestors,
stretched upon the rncks Of Cohez and
il is not the fear Of death or the torture
that can swervc her from her purpose. -
! In her presence there is hope and life
! At each arrival she Is hailed by the gar
rison as the guardian angel Of the Ala
mo, aud until it falls her eforts fail not.
The siege has continued for ten days.
| The Mexican General has received large
reinforcements, and his army now mum
bers thousands lie has been unceasing
in his efforts to batter down the walls,
bu, has thus far failed. The triumph is
with Travis but it is written in the
heart ofbis ruthless foe that he must die !;
and when the cannonade is suspended on
the 9Th Of March, Santa Anna has deter
mined that the hour for the assault had
arrived. During ten days blood red flag
has been streaming from The spire Of the
church in San Antonio, proclaiming that
no quarter Is TO be given to the cham
pions of the Alamo-ihat blood alone will
appease the fury Of Mexican malice
When the sun again goes down the flag
is no longer seen, Tor the deed for which
it was The sign has been accomplished.
Ii is miduigh, S,ares are shining inl
the frmamen,, and the roPose Of para
disc seems lowering over the armed hosts,
and hills, and plains which encmcie the