Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1856-11-26

The sun has almost sunk behind the west
ern plains, when there is pause in the
work of demolition. The firing of the
besisgers ceases for the day, with the
Mexican thirst for blood unsatiated not
a single drop has been shed within the
Alamo. Many of Santa Annals own
men have bit the dust, before the artile-
rists and rihemen of the fort; but thus
far they are unavenged. Darkness falls
upon the besiegers and besieged. The
former raise new intrenchments to prose-
cute the assault the latter establish a
close watch for the night, and endeavor
TO seek that repose which shall renew
their yigor for the contest which they
know will come tomorrow.
The morning of the 96th dawns, and
reveals TO the occupants of the fort, the
effect of the midnight labors of their
enemies in the establishment of two ad-
ditional batteries within the Alameda of
the Alamo. The bayonets of the infan-
try which have crossed the river during
the night, glitter in the morning beams,
and the plumes of the cavalry are seen
waving on the eastern hills, to intercept
the expected aid from that quarter. The
contest is renewed by slight skirmish
between a small party of Texans, sent
in quest of wood and water, and Mexi
can detachment under General Sesma
but this is mere overture TO the grand
performance of the day. The thunders
of the heavy ordnance. under the direc-
ton of Colonel Ampudia, are soon reused
into action; volley after volley is poured
into the fort, and answered only. except
at rare intervals, By the shouts of those
within. There is no pause-no cessa-
ton. Still the cannonade goes on, shells
fy kissing through the air, and balls
bury themselves within the ramparts /;
but night again comes on, and the Mexi-
can General in vain looks for evidence of
success. Baffled, but not discouraged,
he advances his line of entertainments,
and perhaps. with the morning light. 10
resume his bloody task: The north wind
sweeps over the praries, as it only
sweeps in Texas, a stormy lullaby to the
stormy passions Of those contending
hosts. The darkness is broken only b.
the feeble blaze of few huts-fred by
the Texans-which had furnished a
cover to the enemy. The flames curl
upwards with sickly glare, and their
flful flashes throw lurid light for a
moment upon the slumbering army, and
expire. The reign of darkness and of
silence is restored.
The next day the Mexicans appear in
active. though engaged in The construc-
ton of additional batteries. There is
but little firing on either side. Travis
and his men, with spirits uusubdued, and
with energies weakened, but not exhaust.
ed, are applying their contracted re-
sources to the purposes of defense. No
heart falters; no pulse throbs with d.
mirished power; no hand shrinks from
the labor that necessity imposes. All is
confidence and determination-the fury
of Mexican malice. When the sun again
goes down, the flag is no longer seen,
for the deed of which il was the sign,
has been accomplished.
1t is midnight. Stars are smiling in
the armament, and the repose of para
disc seems lowering over the armed
hosts, and hills. and plains which encir-
Gle the Alamo. The calm is so deep
and solemn that the angel of death seems
to pause before the strife and carnage
which are 10 follow. A low murmur
rises upon The air, which gradually be
comes more and more distinct Lights
are glancing mysteriOusly in the dis
tance, and indicate some unusual move
ment. The besieging army is in motion.
There is no advance by columns the
force of the Mexicans is so great that the
Fort may be completely surrounded,
leaving intervals only for the fire of ar,
tillery. The place is girdled by deep
line of infantry, and these are hemmed
in and encompassed by others of caval-
~. If the falter or shrink, they must
be thrust forward to the assault by the
sabres and lances of their conn ades.-
Suddenly the batteries are in a blaze,
and from their concentric positions, pour
forth radii of fire from the circle of San
ia Annals vengeance, verging to single
centre. Amid the thunders thus crea-
ted, their own shouts hardly less terri
BILE, and the martial blasts OF hundred
bugles, the Mexicans advance to the A.
lamo. A sheet of flame, from rifles that
never failed, is the answer to the charge.
The infantry rccoil and fall back upon
the cavalry; their ranks broken and dis
ordered BY the deadly FIRE of the besieg-
ed. The shouts from the Fort are min
gled with the groans of the wounded
and dying on the plain. while the officers
are endeavoring TO re- form their scatter
ed masses. They return TO the attack,
but the leaden shower which they again
encounter, falls them to the earth by