The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-05-01
DAyY CROCKETT.
The History Of the Alamo.

lueuOIdDic ON vi march, the escaped being
only three women and one or two colored
men servants, the details of the dread con-
.tlict have been exceedingly varying but
your correspondent learning that Mrs. Han
ming was then the wife of one Captain Dicken-
son, an officer of some note, but has since
remained and is living in beautiful subur-
ban retreat well provided for in the way of
the worlds goods. She is very heshy, ex-
caediDgly courteous and received the writer
with cordially, as she also did Frank Mayo
a few days before, the eminent actor desiring
to learn something more about the original
Crockett, and being so far successful that
1t is reported his play Will be somewhat
enlarged.
But 10 years of age, and possessing a child
IA months old to look after, the fright of the
young woman at such a slaughter as she
witnessed may be imagined, notwlthstand-
ing which her recollections are vivid. And
she says she has never yet seen a strictly
correct account of the fall of the Alamo.
The recollections of the streams of blood all
but bring tears to the eyes of the soft hearted
woman who relates the tale in a simple
manner though in its plainness il can
not be Invested of its thrilling qualities.
Captain Dickinson, her husband, had been
engaged in the battle of Cos, when the Mex
leans had been routed from the Alamo, and
received orders to form one of the small
garrisons under Travis that took possession of
the fort. He first gained permission to visit
his youthful wife, who agreed to accompany
him into the fort, expecting him to be
Stationed there for some time; before enter
ing, however, calling on her friends Mooskis,
Mexicans, who resided on the main plaza.
About three weeks had passed in the fort
before the entrance of Santa Anna into the
town, and the raising of the black and red
nag on the Mexican cathedral of San Fer
nandez, indicating no quarter would be
shown IN a contest
The Texans saw the banner, but fiinched
not. The chiyalrous Travis coolly drew a
line, requesting all who would stand by him
TO step over, request all but one, without
hesitation, complied with. He was per-
mitted to take his departure, but was shot
by the enemy in so doing.
A conference was asked for by Santa Anna
on the following day, when a compromise
was offered but Travis, invigorated by the
stanchness of his men and the expectation
of reinforcements, defiantly sand he would
never surrender or retreat.
This was on February y. From that on
to the fall shots were exchanged at intervals
of about half hour, a number of skirmishes
also being held, though not a Texan was
lost On the morning OF the 9th OF March it
. was discovered that one Mrs. Alsbury, a
Mexican, who had been placed in the fort by
her husband for protection, had departed
during the night, why or how none could
imagine; but the flaming torch accompany
ing bursting shell at daybreak on the fol-
lowing day, Sunday, March 6, the martial
music and the steady tread of the advancing
wall of flesh told the story She had betray-
ed them. Their weakness and expectation
of reinforcements had been exposed, or so
at least 1t is supposed, causing the scaling
ladders to be distributed and the attack 10
be made.
Twas then Bowie, whose name tells OF his
invention and his deeds, sick in bed, ordered
e = II. \ d
hands, and the band, now increased to one
hundred and eighty warriors, Dayy Crockett
among them, besides the sick. felt able to
sing:
"Man o. the wall, oar clarion S blast
Now sounds its final reveille;
This dawnIng morn must be the last
Our fated band shall ever see
To life, but not to hope, FAREWELL
Yon trumpets clang, and lannon's peal,
Aud storming shout, and clash of steel
Is ours, but not our country's lSneil'
We fall! We die. But our expiring breath
Is freedoms breath of lite."
The well directed artillery shots of the
Texans told with dreadful effect upon the
solid advancing column, but onward they
pressed, scaled the walls, and in a hand to
hand conflict slew the gunners. Then did
the carnage begin. The finely carved old
doors of the church were soon battered in,
making the antagonists face TO face. Each
hardy Texan had his score of Mexicans to
! contend with, while tins manned in the con-
+ vent or hospital were being shattered and
torn asunder without protection. Twas
during this clash of arms, the shrleks OF the
dying, the shouts OF the defiant, the fast
forming pools of blood this indescribable
scene of terror, that Mrs. Dickinson was
standing guardian over her infantile
charge, supporting her weary body
against a sofa which stood IN an
archway to the left of the altar,
witness of the entire carnage. Suddenly
gold-laced Mexican officer confronted her,
and put the question, Are you an Ameri-
CAM" With only thoughts of her death, she
gave no reply. Again he spoke: I'm the
name of God, speak quickly, if you are; the
soldiers will be on you" Her name was
revealed, and, to her CONSERVATION, with
an uplifted sword to guard of the frenzied
men who made numerous thrusts at her,
she was hurried through the whirl of bullets,
the clang of swords, over the mangled forms,
on through the court 70 a carriage waiting
at the entrance. Then she learned from her
benefactor that he was Colonel Black, who
had visited her friends Mooskis, by whom he
was implored to save her. He had given his
pledge he had fulfilled his promise.
The bloody massacre was soon completed;
even the courageous Travis fell, and Crock
EFT, surrounded by circle OF slain Mexicans.
met the common fate.
Santa Anna now entered upon the field,
saw that his commands had been obeyed,
and issued the final order. (which soon caused
the torch to be applied TO all that was left of
the small band.
From her place of refuge the rescued
woman viewed the smoke of her, but few
hours before, hale husband, now sandwiched
In between layers of fast burning mosquit-
wood. He, like the others, had died the
Spartan's death, and,
"Well may the ruffians quake to tell
How Travis and his hundred fell,
Amid a thousand foemen slain"
The widowed mother on the succeeding
day received call from General Santa Anna,
a tall, slim, stoop shouldered, not overly
dark Spaniard. with fiery dark eyes. He
expressed Joy at her release, regret at the
loss OF her companions, and desire to know
what were her prospects; insisted upon send
ing her TO Mexico under his care, or at least
to be presented with the child. Defeated in
both, he presently, through the Implications
of his nephew, presented her with $500 and
departed, an action that probably saved his
life, for, being captured in pnvate's dress
at the succeeding battle of San JaclntO on