The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-05-30
OurTexRs Letter.
Austin, Nav 18th, 1871

AUSTIN, May lIth, 1871
The monuments erected TO the heroes
of the Alamo in the State Capital pre-
senls a sublime picture, and fills our
heat with pathetic emotions only to be
realized while looking upon the noble
structure, and contemplating with gratis
tuie their chivalrous deeds and their mi
raculous preservation for period Of ten
days up TO the day OF the final assault.
With one hundred and forty-iive men did
DAVIS hold the place for ten days, against
three to five Thousand, and exclaimed he
would continue TO hold it until relieved
by his countrymen or perish at his post.
So the gallant Travis. Bowie, Crockett,
and Bonham, with the one hundred and
forty-one other liberty-loving heroes,
were UTasaorsSI ON that memorable spat,
which is and ever will he sacred 10 the
noble>hearted Texans. Tie mention Of
Goliad and Alamo inspires the Texan
with new courage TO guard well their
liberties, which are bought at so great a
sacrifice. ! visited this monument most
every day while in the city. 1t is ami
mating to the soul every mans name
who fell at the memorable battle of 1.-The
Alamo" is inscribed on raised shields.
On the north front we find Crockett, with
this inscription.
ITO the God of the fearless and free
is dedicated this altar made from the
ruins of the Alamo"
On the west front.
"BlOod of heroes hath stained me, lei
the stones of the Alamo speak that their
immolation be not forgotten"
On the south front.
"Be they enrolled with Lccnidas in the
host of the mighty dead"
On the cast front
"Thermopyla had her messenger of
defeat, but the Alamo had none"
Such arc the inscriptions which seem
TO electriiy the soul on entering the cap
ital at Austin.
This monument is ten feet high, apd
made of stones taken from the ruins of
the Alamo. The style Of architecture is
composite, and divided into ten sections
The base OF the monument is one solid
piece, bearing the whole structure The
second section is square plinlh, neatly
The third section has a
gothic molding, which symbolizes the
binding firmly together, of the whole
structure. The fourth section is the
main body of the monument, consisting
of four panels in recess, supported by
plaster on each corner. On the other
panels Of section fourth is represented the
skull aad bones crossed. Above the
skulls are two angels facing each other,
blowing trumpets. Belew the eros
bones are the symbols OF time--the h our
glass, scythe, and wings. The symbolic
lessons CLEANED from this mon umcnt, is
worthy the admiration OF all lovers of
liberty.
This monument was made by Ameri>
can artists. Viewing the work as a
whole, as TO holiness and appropriateness
OF dcsign and beauty of execution, it
would reflect credit on any artist of an
cicnt or modern times am strong
vindicator Of erecting monuments to the
worthy dead. They impart lessons Of in
calcultble value to rising poslcrity, and
remind us that VIC a.e not born for our
selves alone, but for friends, Tor society,
and our common country. Let us ever
be thankful for the privileges and immuN
mites We now enjoy as free people, and
ever be ready to sacrifice our all, il cd
be, 10 mSiutain our liberties and build
up the common good Of our country
History will never record nobler deed
a more daring stand, pures sclf-sacri-
ncing devotion 10 the interests and liber.
ties Of theac adopted country, than the
tight and fati OF Travis, Bowie. Crockett
and their gallant GSmPatriois One hun
dred and fifty men wege arrayea against
thousands of Mexicans led by him who
styled himself the II Napoleon. And
heroically did they WELD the hattie blaze,
al the last man OF that devoted land
his length upon the earth
None were left to tell the tale save the
wife Of Dickens and her infant daughter,