The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-07-06

A Reminiscence Of the Alamo.
A correspondent of the ST. Louis Re-
publican, writing from San Antonio,
Texas, gives the following account OF |
this heroic struggle as taken from the
lips of an old Texan soldier:
The fall of the Alamo may be found |
in all the histories of Texas, but no
reading can excite the interest like the
hearing of the story on the spot from
the lips of one who fought for Texas.
As stood upon the spot where the gal
liant Bowie yielded up his life, and heard
the narrative of the struggle from John
Tuohig and Maj. Calhoun, both OF
whom were there chained together by
the leg in Mexican dungeon, l could
not but regard the men who there lost
their lives for their country as entirely
worthy to be ranked in history along
side of the 800 Spartans at the Pass OF
Thermopyla. It is almost certain that
if these men had fed, or surrendered,
or done any thing else but die, as they
did, the independence Of Texas, which
was achieved finally by the battle OF San
Jacinto, fought some months later,
| would have been much longer post
poned. "a
The story of the fall of the Alamo, as
told by the gentlemen named, may not
prove uninteresting. 1t should be re-
peated often to every American youth
1t was 40 years ago, on the 9th OF Feb
ruary, that Santa Anna, the proud
President of Mexico, who styled him
self the Napoleon of the West, appeared
before it's gates at the head of 1000
troops, the flower of his army, and de-
handed the unconditional surrender
of the 1872 Texans who occupied
it. The watchword, "victory or
DEATH" had already been adopted and
the demand of Santa Anna was answer
ed by shot from the garrison. After
the Texans had withstood the siege for
six days, namely on the evening of Sat
urday, the 9th of March, Santa Anna
withdrew his army and fighting ceased.
Col. Travis, the brave commander OF
the Texans, was not deceived by this
movement. He reasoned correctly that
on the morrow the attack would be re-
newed. Hence, marshaling his little
band in the plaza before the church, he,
with the point of his sword, traced a
straight line in their front, and then in
brief address told them the situation.
In his Judgment there were but three
courses left for their adoption. The
first was to surrender upon the best
terms that could be obtained, and trust
to Mexican faith to fulfill them. The
second was to retreat and take chances,
and the third was to remain where they
were and die fighting like men for the
independence of Texas. As for himself,
he had deliberately chosen the last
course, and he now called upon all who
were willing to die with him to step
across the line. Instantly, without a
word, and without faltering, the whole
line made the step, and their fate was
sealed. There was one man, the gallant
Col. Bowie, lying i'll upon his blanket
and unable to be in line, though in hear
ing and sight. When the line stepped
forward he called loudly for the boys to
take him up and carry him across it.
. Thus was their determination unani-
nous.
. Before daylight of the morning of
Sunday, the 9th of March, 1886, the
Alamo was again entirely surrounded
by the Mexican army. Bands of music
played national airs to inspirit the Mex
lean hosts, and thus inspired the charge
of 1000 upon 1872 was made. The ,0Ol
! were three times repulsed with great
slaughter, but on the fourth assault q
Judgment within the rude barricades
) of the Texans was effected, and then
/ commenced hand-to-hand fight, the
' like of which is not recorded in history
, of either ancient or modern times. The
f Texans fred their guns as long as they
( had room, or ammunition to load, and
: then drawing their. knives they fought
Q to the last, each man selling his life as
n dearly as he could. By sunrise ON thai
, Sabbath morning the massacre was
D complete and not one of the 1872 Texans
d was left alive to tell the tale. Blu
alongside of the Texans were the corpse.
of more than five hundred of the flower
y of Santa Annals army. To kill the Is:
Texans cost Santa Anna in the six days
g siege and the final assault 1880 men il
n killed and wounded, the biggest half il
: killed.
. We may thus calculate that each Tex
h an killed three Mexicans besides wound
y ing many. When we compare the Tex
). ans who have lost their lives to tn,
O Spartans at Thermopyle the compari
J. son is altogether in favor of the Tex
ans. The Spartans had a natural pas
to defend which could not be surround
y ed, nor could it be attacked except at
l. narrow point in front where one mai
70 in defense was equal to one thousana
"a in attack. The Texans fought within
IS the adobe walls of an old mission
!, church, constructed in an open, leve
!. plain, and with no reference to defense