The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1876-09-15

/ The Mexicans had hoisted the black flag
as an assurance that no quarter would be
given, but not a man quailed, each re-
solving to die as became Texan patriot.
On the fifth of March Colonel Travis
addressed last appeal to the country,
and sent it through the Mexican lines
under cover of darkness. He said:
81 am still here in as fine spirits a
could be expected, with one hundred and
eighty men. have held the place ten
days against more than thirty times our
humber, and / viii continue to hold it
until get relief from my countrymen,
or will perish in the defense. The black
flag which is borne by the enemy gives
token that the fight is to be one
exterminatiSn against rebels"
Thi=address had been prepared early
in the evening, approved by all the Off
GERS, number of copies made, and one
Of the most skillfnl riders in the com
mand had volunteered to carry it through
the enemy's lines. The night was dark
and thrilling storm of rain and slect
was falling, when the courier mounted,
and gave the parting words to his conf
rades, Colonel Travis standing beside
him, with folded arms, looking steadily
to the right, where the long lines of
Mexican camp fires blazed in the dark
ness
"Gosd-bye" cried the messenger, as
he pressed the fanks of his horse, and
bounded away.
"Wait a moment" cried Colonel
Travis, suddenly awaking from his
reverie. 'Nait moment. / want 10
send one more letter"
He sat down and rapidly wrote brief
letter to an intimate friend, setting forth
their desperate condition, the danger of
massacre, and closed with this message.
Take care of my little boy. If the
country is saved, and 1 survive the pres.
ent peril, | may yet make him splendid
/ fortune; but if the country should be
/ lost, and | should perish, he will have
nothing left but the proul recollection
that he is the son of man who died for
his country"
These were the last words ever written
by the gallant colonel, and the letter was
for many years cherished by the orphaned
boy as one of the most valued relics of
his lamented parent.
Meanwhile the bombardment was pro-
crossing but slowly, and the Mexicans
grew inpatient. Their overwhelming
strength, 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.
4 The unusual activity in the Mexican
camp attracted the attention of Col.
Trsvisat 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
the colonel delivered stirring address,
e1horting them all to do their duty, and
die as became people worthy to be free.
The men responded with cheers, and
held a hurried consultation, at which it
was unanimously agreed to fight until
the last man, and when no further re-
sistance was possible, it was agreed that
the survivor should fire the magazine
and all perish together.
At sunrise the 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 enveioping the little
fortiication. 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 batteries, the dark
columns moved forward to the assault
four thousand against one hundred and
eighty
+. On, on, came the dark lines, a steady
fire Ofmusketry flashing from their ranks;
but the silence of death reigned within
the Alamo. Ammunition was scarce,
and the brave defenders. were instructed
to waste few shots but when the enemy
came within easy range, the artillery,
charged to the muzzle with grape, opened
upon them, and the unerring rifles of the
Texans poured torrent of bullets into
the midst of the advancing troops
These murderous discharges tore through
their ranks, sweeping down whole COM
panies at every discharge.
The dead encountered 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
becane th. effect of the Texan fire, and
the Slaughter increased, until, despite
the cavalry in their rear, they broke
and fed 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 stoming column fell back, the
exhausted Texans ceased their fire, and
for 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 assaiTng column had passed
1t was fondly hoped by the besieged
garrison that the iercest 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 hesten regiments, and
the nearly exhausted garrison prepared
for final struggle.
Success was almost hopeless. The
excitement and exertion had left them
weak and prostrated, seVeal of their best
men bad fallen, and but lew rounds of
ammunition remained. Blu their firm
ness was unshaken. They rmoved the
dead, provided as best they cold for the
wounded, and then renewed thir pledge
to stand by each other to the lat, and
never surrender while single dSender