The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1875-04-04

the Texans being short of ammunition fired
but seldom. On the Bird of March, BOnham,
who had gone as an express to Fanuin re-
turned and made his way safely into the
Alamo. Santa Anna continued to receive
heavy reiniorcements. Urged by Ramirez,
Sesma and Almonte, Santa Anna deter
mined upon an assault without waiting for
additional artillery. His troops, now
more than four thousand in number were
fresh and vigorous, the Texans on the con-
vigilance aud constant labor within the
walis of the Alamo. On Sunday morning,
the 9th of March, little after midnight,
the Alamo was surrounded by the entire
Mexican army. The cavalry was placed
in the rear of the infantry to cut them
down if they should give way. The in
fantry were provided with scaling ladders.
the enemy thus forming circle facing
the fort, advanced rapidly under a tre-
mendous fire from the Texas rifles and ar
tillery. Just at daylight the ladders were
placed against the walls, and an attempt
made by the Mexicans to enter, but they
were driven back with severe loss. The
charge was again sounded and a second rush
was made and resulted in another signal
discontinue. By the presence, threats and
promises of Santa Anna, q third time they
were brought to the assault with a fatal
success. The enemy reaching the tops of
the ladders, wavered and fell, only to give
place to others pressing onward and be-
| hind them on each ladder. At length,
killed, cut down and exhausted, the Texan
defenders did not retreat, but they were no
longer able to keep back the enemy. In
stantly the Alamo was filed by the Mexi-
cans, they were received by the survivors
with clabbed guns who used them until
they were all cut down. 1t Ia said that
some called for "quarter," but the cry was
unheeded. Evans, the Master of Ordi
nance, as agreed upon that the Survi
vor should fire large quantity of
damaged powder in the magazine, was shot
Thus fell the Alamo-and it's heroic de
tenders but before them, the historian
tells us. lay the bodies of five hundred and
twenty -one of the enemy. At an hour, 6y
sun, on that Sabbath morning, all was still
yet the crimson waters of the aqueduc,
around the fort resembled the red flag thai
fioated from the Cathedral of San Fernan
do. But Alas The present ia rapidly
and rudely shouldering the past out OF 1T
path, even the inhabitants are changed
} the demure and the quantity attired Mexl
can of the brown eyes and skin have in
} measure given way to the blonde girl o
the North. Staff officers take the place
where once grave Dons, with swords ant
l spurs and noble senoritas in mantillas pro
Y menaded.
! The Plazas" haze each given place t
3 other buildings of different and NOR
. modern style of architecture. Even tn
t venerable Cathedral, that bore aloft th
< blood-red flag, has passed away and give
J., place to modern and mammoth structure
o which indicates, too surely, the evanea
8 cence of the most durable exertions c
|, man. Yet, with all it's changes, it remain
9 quaint, quiet little city, of which its pee
8 pie boast both long and proudly an
J. many of them have lost sight OF the iat
= that it was ever under Spanish rule an
i some of them, we suspect, that OF tn
, storming of the Alamo. Be that as it may
70 of the present race that people San An
l. tonic, the men are strong, vigorous an
,s enterprising, and the daughters are MOI
IF beautiful.