Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1890-12-18

We have been miracuiousiy preserved.
We are completely surrounded by the
enemy, who have batteries IN Bexar,
only 400 yards to the west; one at La
viIleta, 500 yards south; at the Powder
House, 1000 yards east by south; on the
side ditch, 500 yards northeast; and at
the old mill, 500 yards north /"
Travis had almost despaired of succor,
and, according to an account published
in 1860 by a Mr. Rose, announced to his
companions their desperate situation.
After declaring his determination to sci:
his life as dearly as possible and draw
ing line with his sword, Travis exhOrt-
ed all who were willing to fight with him
to form on the line With one exception
all fell into the ranks, and even Bowie,
who was dying with consumption, had
his cot carried to the line. The man who
declined to enter the ranks that night
made his escape
the fort The Texans, being short Of
ammunition, seldom fired. In the even
ing Santa Anna called g council Of off,
GERS, and, in spite Of the remonstrance Of
some Of his generals, resolved to storm
the fortress His orders were prepared
very carefully, and given with great
minuteness. There were to be four
columns Of attack, led by his most ex-
perienced generals. Each column was
supplied with axes. crowbars and seal
ing ladders. His entire cavalry force
was paraded in the rear, to prevent the
desertion Of his own troops, and TO inter
cept any Texans who might attempt to
escape.
Sunday, March 6, was the fatal day.
Shortly after midnight the Mexican army
began its march to assigned positions
At o'clock the bugle-call sounded, and
Santa Anna headed an advance. Grape,
musket and rife balls met them, and
twice they were repealed. They COM
bined, forming dense mass, and at last,
reaching the tops Of some houses form
ing the wall of the fort, effected an en-
trance to the inclosed yard. About the
same time they forced a breach in the
wall and captured one of the Texan
guns. This was at once turned upon
the convent, to which the Americans had
retreated. The cannOnade of the be-
sieged still did fearful execution, but the
feeble garrison could not resist over
whelming numbers. Travis fell early in
the action with a rife ball in the head,
but he had strength enough to kill a
Mexican who attempted to spear him.
The bodies of most of the Texans
were found in a building where a hand
to-hand fight took place. Davy Crockett
was killed in the yard, but number of
the Mexicans lay about him. Bowie was
slain in his bed, but he killed two or
three of his foes with his pistols before
they reached him.
The residue of the garrison had fed
to the church. 1t had been agreed that
when further resistance seemed useless,
the surviving Texans should blow up
the magazine. Major Evans was apply
ing the torch when he was killed in
time to prevent the explosion. Two or
three Texans found in room appealed
in vain for quarter, it is said. The mas
sacre was complete. Every soldier had
fallen in defense of the fort.
Three non-combatants were spared, a
servant and two ladies. Lieutenant
Dickinson, with a child on his back,
leaped from an upper window to escape,
and their bodies were riddled with bull
lets. The bodies of $50 Texans were
collected together in pile and partially
burned by their inhuman foes. The
Mexicans lost nearly twice that number
In 1897 the bones of the heroes were
gathered and decently buried.
A neat monument, commemorative of
their heroic deeds, has been erected at
the entrance to the State House in Aus
tin, the capital city Of Texas. Upon the
four squares of this shaft are written the
names of Travis, Bowie, Crockett and
BOnham. Each OF the four sides bears also
an appropriate inscription, that on the
east front reading: "Thermopylse had
her messenger of defeat, but the Alamo
had none"
The noble defenders of the Alamo did
not die in vain, however. The dreadful
massacre aroused the warlike spirit. of
every Texan. With the fierce battle cry
of Remember the Alamo!" the State
forces pressed forward in other sections
to victory. At Goliad, shortly after
ward, 3s5 prisoners, while singing
alone, Sweet Home, received an order
Of execution, and nearly every one Of
them was shotg to death. This cold
blooded, deliberate murder stamped its
perpetrators with eternal infamy, but
awakened the Texans to pursue them to
the last extremity. The Mexicans were
beaten back, and in less than year the
independence of Texas was an established
fact. Gen. Sam Houston was elected
President, his Inauguration closing the
revolutionary period of the Lone Star
State, period that has furnished the
darkest and the brightest pages in Texas
history WELDON ]. COBB.