Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-03-20


entertainments ito Eprosecute e. the assault
the latter yestab blishedn a close watch fol
the highland eudeagor to seek that re,
pose whichsshall renew their yigor for the
contest which they know will come TO-
morrow. i3 40 dza 5isl ansus' ssa1b''s
The morning Of the 26th dawns and re-
veals to the occupants of the fort the eff,
feet Of the midnight labors 'ofetheir ene-
mics in the establishment of two addition
al batteries within the Alameda4 of the
Alamo! The bayonets Of the Infantry
which have crossed the river during the
might glitter in the morning beams. and
the plumes of the cavalry are seen wa
wing on the eastern hills to intercept the
expected aid from that quarter. The
contest is renewed by5a slight skirmish
between aEsmall party Of Texans sent in
quest of wood and water and Mexican
detachment under Gen. Sesma but this
is mere overture to thesgrand perfor>
heavy ordnance. under the direction OF
Col, AmPudia. are soon reused into iac-
ton, volley after yolley is poured into the
fort,y and answered only, except at rare
intervals, by the shouts of those within.
There is no pause no cessation. Still the
cannonadeg goes on |; shells fly kissing
through the air and balls bury themselves
within the ramparts but might again comes
on. and the Mexican general in vain looks
for evidence Of success. Baffled. but not
discouraged, he advances his line of en-.
trenchments, aud prepares, with the
morning light, to resume his bloody task.
The north wind sweeps over the prairies.
as it only sweeps in Texas. a stormy lul-
laby to the stormy passions Of those con-
tending hosts. The darkness is broken
only by 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 fit
full flashes throw lurid light for a mo-
ment upon the slumbering army and ex-
pire. The reign of darkness and of si.
lence 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 unsubdued. and with
energies weakened, but not exhausted,
are applying their contracted resources to
the purposes Of defence. No heart fall
ters no pulse throbs with diminished
power, no hand shrinks from the labor
that necessity imposes. All is confidence
and determination, and 10 every breast
there is firm reliance. springing from the
holiness 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, and who in violation of His com
mands are thus yielding to their erring
and unhallowed passions. Perhaps with
in the chapel Of the Alamo, consecrated
to the worship of the Almighty. and dis
tinguished by the emblem OF suffering and
OF salvation which surmounts the dome,
heads may be bowed in prayer to the
God Of battles for deliverance from their
sauguinary foe but that foe takes no
heed Of SabbatEs. Exclusive followers,
as they proclaim themselves, OF the true
church. they doom to destruction the very
temple they have erected for its worship;
and. kissing the cross suspended from
their neck. and planted before every
camp. they point their guns upon the
symbol for which they profess such un
bounded reverence. The fire of the
Mexican artillery keeps company with
the minutes as they roll on. Morning,
mid day. and evening are passed. yet
there is no faltering among those who are
defending the Thermopyle of Texas lib
erty. Another sun rises and sets. and
yet another still the indomitable hearts
OF Travis and his companions quail not
before the untiring efforts of their enemy.
In spite of the eneny's vindictive vigi-
lance. the little garrison receives from
Gonzales reinforcement of thirty three
Unconstitutional victims for the funeral
pyre. soon to be kindled by Santa Anna,
on the surrounding hills. as human hec
atomb TO Mexico vengeance.
New batteries are erected by the be-
segers. From every point around, the
missels of destruction concentrate upon
the Alamo. The final hour must soon
come. Provisions are not yet exhausted, /,
but the ammunition cannot last many days
longer. Water had been obtained sole
ly BY the daring efforts of Mexican, wo-
man. who. through showers of grape and
musketry, has threaded the way TO and fro
between the river and the citadel. while
her own blood has marked the path. She
bears within her the stern and lofty spr>
it Of her ilustrious ancestor. stretched
upon the racks of Cortez. and it was not
the fear OF death that can swerye her from
purpose.
The siege has continued for ten days.
The Mexican GeneralIhas received large
reinforcements. and his army now mum.
bers thousands. He has been unceasing
in his efforts 10 batter down the walls,
but has thus far failed. The triumph is
with Travis; but iii is written in the heart
of his ruthless foe that he must die. and
when the cannonade is suspended on the