San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-12-06
ALAMO BATTLE.
sUOOINOT STORY OF THE APPROACH
ING CARNIVAL.
Realistic Reproduction of the Greatest
of the Worlds Bloody
Sieges.

The military committee of the Grand
Carnival, "Storming the Alamo" has
arranged for the reproduction of the
historic struggle as accurately as it is
possible to have it. The surround
ings of the Alamo in 1886 were not
suggestive of the metropolitan devel-
opments that now surround it. Gao
tus, mesquite and timber were the
foreground, TANKS and background of
the old church at that early day.
Hence the temporary structure, or
dummy Alamo" built down in the
Fair grounds, is surrounded by cOndi-
tons quite similar to those of the AL
amo proper at the time of the strug-
gle. All who are familiar with the
Fair grounds at Riverside park will
recognize what an admirable site it is
for battle ground. There is the
heavy timber fianked by underbrush,
there are bitches depressiOnS, fences,
buildings, &c; just enough to make
more accurate the reproduction of
hte original event. Near the grand
stand additional seats for 5000 peo-
pie have been placed. Just across
the race course, and facing the grand
stand is erected the Alamo building.
with its battlement walls. The dis
lance from the seats is about 400
yards, which leaves abundant inter-
vening space for the cavalry and in
fantry evolutions in the battle.
The entertainment each day will
consist of exhibition drills of differ
ent local and visiting companies, be-
will be over by p. m. At p. m. or
Whereabouts the Texas soldiers will
be seen hurrying into the fort prepar-
ing for the siege by Santa Anna. The
latter's forces will be seen taking po-
sition in the distance and near by.
closing up on the gallant heroes of
the Alamo and finally driving their
pickets under the walls. Then comes
Santa Annals flag of truce with de-
mand for surrender. ct will be borne
in mind that the chief events in an
eleven days fight and siege must be
reproduced in an hour.) After several
skirmishes in which the attacking
forces are severely depleted. leaving
the field strewn with mutilated Mex
leans, n Messenger, the stored hero,
Bonham, on his dun horse, gallops
through the lines of the foe, into the
open door of the fort. He has re-
turned from his mission Of relief only
to report his failure and to die with
his compatriOts. After this incident
the attacking party becomes desperate
attempting to force the gates and
walls but finally retreating under the
deadly fire of the besieged. Then
the arrival Of General LOyla with re-
Inducements is noted which Is made
the occasion for a lull in the battle
which precedes the more violent storm
During this interval, Col. Travis is
seen to muster his command in front
of the Alamo and then addressing
them in the simple words of deter
mined martyr, unsheaths his sword
and draws q line in the dust in front
of his men. On the instant Of the
appeal all cross to him save two. One
the brave Bowie, the other the craven
Rose who escaped. After Bowie is
carried over the line, preparations are
renewed for the final struggle which
is notlong delayed for the plan Of
Santa Anna has been matured and on
his hosts rush amid cannonade, and
musketry fire, with scaling ladders,
crowbars and axes. The cavalry
meantime has surrounded the fort to
render certain the capture Of every de-
fender. Then comes that terrific hand
to hand conflict on the ladders and
walls, in the doors and on the roof
which leaves $500 Mexicans slain and
only blood and mangled flesh and be-
spattered brains to tell Of the gallant
Travis and his band. With the firing
of the cannon into the very doors Of
the Alamo to end the last desperate
struggles Of the defenders, the Alamo
has fallen and the spectators are re-
leased from the strain and excitement
of the most realistic and the grandest
shambattle ever witnessed in Texas.