The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-09-06

gre" lupatleHC. Iner overwhelming
the weakness and exhaustion
OF the garrison, and their greed for
speedy revenge, prompted an immediate
assault, and Sunday, March 9Th, 1886,
was chosen as the day for carrying the
purpose into execution.
The unusual activity in the Mexican
camp attracted the attention of Col.
Travis at an early hour in the morning,
and he at once concluded that an assault
was intended.
The little garrison was stationed in
the most advantageous manner possible,
and tho colonel delivered stirring adj
dress, exhorting them all to do their
duty, and die as became apeople worthy
to be free.
The men responded with cheers, and
held hurried consultation, at which it
was unanimously agreed to fight until
the last man, and when no further re-
slstance was possible, it was agreed that
the survivor should fire the magazine
and all perish together.
At sunrise tho enemy swarmed out
from behind their works, and the long
lines of assault formed almost within
musket range of the walls of the
Alamo, and completely enveloping the
little fortifcation. The cavalry was
formed in the rear of the infantry, with
drawn sabers, and orders to cut down
all who faltered in the advance. Under
cover of heavy fire from their bat
teries, tho dark columns moved forward
to the assault-four thousand against
one hundred aud eighty!
On, on, came the dark lines, steady
fire of musketry flashing from their
ranks; but the silence of death reigned
within the Alamo. Ammunition was
scarce, aud the brave defenders we're in
structed to waste few shots but when
the enemy came within easy range, the
artillery, charged to tho muzzle with
grape, opened upon them, and the m
erring rifles of the Texans poured tor
rent Of bullets into the midst of the ad-
vsncing troops. These murderous dis
charges tore through their ranks, sweep
ing down whole companies at every dis
charge.
The dead encumbered the path of the
advancing column, but urged on by the
remorseless cavalry behind, the bleeding
lines stumbled over dead and dying,
and reached the very foot of the walls.
But the nearer they came, the more
deadly became the effect of the Texan
fire, and the slaughter increased, until,
despite the cavalry in their rear, they
broke and fled in confusion to their
camps.
Santa Anna now hastened to the field
in person, reformed the beaten columns,
and they were again driven forward, only
to be again hurled back with frightful
slaughter.
AS the storming column fell back, the
exhausted Texans ceased their fire, and
Tor some minutes painful silence
rested on the bloody field, broken only
by the means of the wounded men, who
lay thick upon the ground without, over
which the assailing column had passed.
1t was fondly hoped by the basieged
garrison that the fiercest of the struggle
was over, but they were disappointed.
The voice of command was soon heard
from the Mexican lines, officers were
seen hurrying to and fro, gathering the
remnants of their beaten regiments, and
the nearly exhausted garrison prepared
for final struggle.
Success was almost hopeless. The
excitement and exertion had left them
weak and prostrated, several of their
best men had fallen, and but few
rounds Of ammunition remained. But
their frmness was unshaken. They re-
moved the dead, provided as best they
could for tho wounded, and then re-
newed their pledge to stand by each
other to the last, and never surrender
while n single defender remained.
On camo the dark lines of tho enemy,
driven forward as before by the remorse-
less cavalry and the threats and en-
treaties of their officers. 1t was the
third and final assault. They struggled
through the same storm of bullets, only
less severe. as the number of brave
men had been sadly reduced; but tho
yawning gaps were quickly closed up,
the living pressed forward to fill the
places of the dead, and the terrible
column swept to the very foot of the
wall.
With shout of exultation, fuller of
vcngeiul hate than the whoop of IN
American savage, they planted the
scaling ladders, and, maddened with ex-
citement and frenzy, swarmed over the
Notifications upon the struggling pa
triots, and commenced the butchery.
There was no giving way, no steps
backward, no cry for quarter. Though
as one to ten, they continued the fight
with dubbed muskets, and died shout
ing for Texas. The bravo Colonel
Travis was almost the first to fall after
an entrance was effected. "God save
my country, and bless my boy" were
the last words he uttered.
The death work was rapid, and in
five minutes scarcely dozen Texans
were left alive. Seeing this, Major
Evans hastenod with lighted torch to
fire the magazine as had been previous
ly arranged. He reached the spot, and
was on the point of applying the torch,
when no was riddled with bullets. The
half dozen who now remained were over
powered, disarmed, and the capture of