The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1848-02-26

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shouts Of the beseiged still lingeronythe
ears of the besiegers, the cannonade is
renewed, and for seven hours fiercely
%con,inued upon The walls Of the Alamo.
But the walls yield no more than the
spirits Of their defenders. The fire is.
steadily returned; and, though stones
are. shivered around thtm, there are
stout hearts and willing hands ready 70
repair every breach, and 10 remove,
from the interior whatever may have
been destroyed from without. Earth
is thrown up, every crack or fssure
closed as fast rs created, by the eager
efforts ofthose who Will permit no ey-
idence Of success 10 cheer'the hopes Of
their enemy. The sun had almost sunk
beneath the western plains, when there
is a pause in the work OF demolition.
The fringinow ceased for the day, by
order Of the Mexican commander, his
thirst for blood unsatished, for not a
single drophas fallen within the Alamo.
Many of his own men have bit the dust
before the artllerists and rifle.men Of
the fort; but thus far they are unaveng-
ed. Darkness falls upon besiegers and
besieged; the former raise new en-
trenchments TO prosecute the assault;
the latter establish a watch for the
might, and endeavor to seek that repose
which will give them fresh vigor for the
contest which they know will come to-
morrow. .glua.. tasl,l ..,.Il b.
The morning Of the e6th dawns, and
reveals to the occupants Of the fort the
effect Of the midnight labors OF their en-
envy, in the establishment Of two addi-
tional batteries within the Alameda of
the Alamo. The bayonets Of the in
fantry crossed over the river during
the night, glitter in the morning beams,
and the plumes of the cavalry are seen
waving on the eastern hills, TO inter-
cept the expected aid from that quarter.
The contest is renewed by a slight
skirmish between a few Of the Texans,
sent in quest Of wood and water, and
detachment under the Mexican Gene
raj Sesma; but this is a mere overture
To- the grand performance of the day.
The. thunders Of the heavy ordinance,
under the direction Of Gen. Ampudia,
are soon reused into action; volley af-
ter volley is poured into the fort, and
answered only at rare intervals by the
shouts Of those within. Still the can
nonade goes on-shellso flying Kissing
through the air, and balls bury them
selves within the ramparts.i But night
comes on, and the Mexican general can
see no progress. Bafled, but not dis
.couraged, he advances his line o fposts
and prepares, with the morning light,
to enter upon his task. The north wind
sweeps over The prairies, as it only
sweeps in Texas, a stormy lullaby TO
to the stormy passions Of those con-
tending hosts. The darkness is broken
only by tho feeble blaze Of a few huts,
fred BY the Texans, which have fur
nished a owe to their enemy. The
flames curlupwsrds with a sickly glare,
throw aifttul light for a moment upon
the slumbering army, and expire. The
reign Of darkness and Of silence Is re-
go, bNJ HioI a4JitIf Hi ,rI9ni 10 eulI
sumeo'5t i OF ifsqqa.HG '.sgqquzI d7eyI
9 On the next day the Mexican ap-j
pear inactive. There is but little firing
on either side. Those within the fort,
with spirits ulnsubdued, and with ener-
gies weakened but not exhausted, are
applying their limited resources TO the
purpose o fdefence. mo heart fal.ers;I
no pulse throbs with diminished power;
no hand shrinks, from the labor that
necessity imposes; all is confidence and
determination firm reliance spring
ing fFrosmmf heIholiness Of the cause, and
the certainty Of is final triumph. Sun
dayfollows, but brings no rest. Ia i,sn|
iphe FIRE of tho Mexican artillery
keeps company with the minutes as
they roll on. Morning midday and
evening are passed, yet there IS no fal.
tering among those who, are defending
the Thermopyle of Texas. Another
.,,r r;eas ana sste md vAtf,nc,h..-.u