The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-10-05
THE MASSACRE OF THE
ALAMO.

The recent death of Santa Anna re-
calls to mind the early struggles of the
infant republic of Texas, when her
Houstons, her CrOcketts, her Lamars,
her Travises and her Burnets were bat
fling against fearful odds for the liberty
and independence of the young American
settlement. Under the leadership of
these gallant men, fifty thousand Texans,
without organization, without regular
army, navy, national credit, or even
national recognition, carried on a war
with eight millions of people, possessing
almost unlimited control of men, money
and material, and commanded by able
leaders, with Santa Anna at their head.
The war was long, and many times
doubtful, presenting many instances of
heroic effort, brilliant triumph and
glorious martyrdom. The brutal, cow
ardly murder of Colonel Fannin's COM
mand, the victory of San Jacinto and the
massacre of the Alamo constituted thrill
ling chapters in the record of the young
republics achievements. Few of these
incidents possess more tragical interest
than the event known as the Massacre
of the Alamo" The details, however, Of
this bloody catastrophe are meager and
unsatisfactory. Two of the ill-fated
garrison only survived the horrors of the
massacre, and their narratives, with the
reluctant admission made by the Mexican
butchers, are all that has come down to
US 20 give the story of the brave mems
martyrdom. 1t was the aim of the Next
can tyrant to place the seal of death
upon the lips of his unhappy captives,
fully intending that not one should live
to tell the bloody story.
In January, 1886, Santa Anna, with
large army, commenced the invasion of
the territory of the rebellious state.
The little settlement called the vOlun-
teers hastily together to meet the threat
ened danger. Colonel Travis, with a
detachment of picked men, was sent for
ward to the town of San Antonio to
watch the movements and retard the ad-
vance of the enemy. The colonel had
just arrived at his post and disposed his
men for the night, when his pickets were
violently attacked by the Mexicans and
driven in.
A brief reconnaissance convinced
Colonel Travis that his enemy was vastly
superior in numbers, and he accordingly
withdrew his little force into strong
stone building in the outskirts of the
town, known as the Alamo. This build
ing was constructed by the Jesuits to
serve the double purpose of a fort and
church, and was exceedingly well calcu-
lated for an obstinate defense. Its walls
were ofstone, 100 feet long and 100 feet
wide, and fourteen small pieces of artil-
lery defended its approaches. The place
was supplied with water by two aque-
ducts which led from the San Antonio
river to the interior of the works.
1t was in this Enclosure that Colonel
Travis withdrew his little army and
awaited the Mexican attack. In the
meantime the men were employed in
strengthening the fertilization, throwing
up new works, and practicing the artil-
lery, which was so successful that the
gunners obtained a perfect range ofevery
foot of ground commanded by their guns.
Colonel Travis, however, felt the in
suficiency in numbers, and resolved to
call for aid. He therefore prepared a
stirring appeal, which trusty scout car
rted safely through the Mexican lines
and published in the Mexican news
papers.
In the meantime the Mexican army
drew three lines of investment closer
around the little fort. Fresh troops
were pouring into his camps, new bat
teries sprung up in every direction, and
Gordon ofof6nsive works nearly encir-
c'ed the doomed garrison, The lombard
ment was constant, and grew more furi-
Gus every hour as batteries multiplied
and new guns were placed in position.
Travis continued tn Sand srDuts