The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-03-02
DEFIANCE OF SANTA ANNA
Bonnie Blue Flag First I'm
furled o6 Years Ago.
REMEMBERED ALAMO HEROES
Texans in Washington Honor the Day on
Which the Rio Grande Was Made a
New Border - Texas the Only indie
pendent State to Enter the Union.

remembered from the Gulf of Mexico TO
the Pecos. and from the Rio Grande to
the Pan Handle. as the greatest one on
the calendar. 1t is the Texan Fourth OF
July. Since the historic morning in 1886.
when the Houstons and Crocketts and
other patriots signe0 the declaration OF
independence of the little Republic,
March, .. has ranked second only to the
national Independence Day.
Four days before, at the Alamo, on the
Brasos, a mere handful of Texans. men
from the States. representing the hardi-
est type of pioneer, as well as the des-
perado and general all-round bad man,
snapped their fingers at Mexico, dared
defiance TO Santa Anna .and his ''greaser"
army, and inaugurated a war in which the
goal was freedom and the side issue re-
venge for wrongs 0: long standing.
Alamo Remembered.
The Alamo was remembered and the
bonnie blue flag, bearing its single star
took its place among the banners of the
nations OF the earth. 1t was the only in
dependent Government ever established
in North America within what are now
the boundaries of the United States.
Whenever March occurs in Texas there
is a significant remark handed down from
father 10 son, which finds expression
throughout tse State from rice lands in
the east to the sage bdsh' country. II
is this:
Texas could lick Mexico with one hand
tied behind her, and without assistance
from the Government. Dios. Texas west
OF the Trinity could do it
The large representation of Texans in
Washington always remember the day,
because that is what all good Texans are
taught to do. The present twenty-four
hours will prove no exception.
Under Six Flags.
From the beginning Texas has had the
most interesting history of any State in
the Union. Six flags. at different times,
have foated over her, the lilies OF
France, the royal standard of Spain, the
tri-color of Mexico, the lone star en-
blem, and the American Stars and Stripes.
For four years she also fought in CRIME
and blood for the stars and bars of the
fighter. This is why March is so great
a day.
Texas is the only State in the Union to
have come in, an independent Government.
to cast her lot with the others. and when
Uncle Sam started in to fight Mexico for
her he began his first real policy of ex-
pansion.
Up to the declaration of Texan indie
pendence the settlers had a hard time
with Mexico. the trouble coming to
head when Santa Anna was President of
that country.
The first constitutional convention of
Texas, which met at Washington, on the
Brasos, on March ], 1886, contained fifty
eight members. Mr.. Richard Ellis. of Red
River. was president. On March ?, the
day following. the Declaration of indie
pendence was signed.
General Houston on March was chosen
in command of the military forces Of the
infant Republic, and an appeal to the
United States was made. government
modelled after that OF the Union was also
formed.
Erected Missions.
When the Spaniards occupied the coun-
try they founded series of missions. in
no way fortresses, but designed to afford
protection against the Indians. The Alamo
was one of these. 1t was established upon
the Rio Grande River by monks of the
Order of st. Francis. in 1903. Later a re-
moval was made 10 San Antonio de Bexar,
where the chapel was erected about a
mile from the plaza.
The first siege of Bexar, during the
beginning of the difficulty between the
Texans and Mexicans. came to an end
on December 10. 1885, when General Cos
surrendered the town. The Alamo then
fell into the possession of the Texans.
II was the key of the country. Santa
Annals army for the subjugation of
Texas assembled at Saltillc. the main
wing commanded by the President of
Mexico in person. The Mexican advance
division arrived at Bexar abouf~rFeb
ruary %.
At 3 o'clock p. m. on this date Lieut..
Col William b. Travis sent mis- despatch
to Judge Andrew Ponton ana the citizens
of Gonzales
The enemy in large force in sight. We
want men and provisions. Send them to
US. We have $50 men, and are determined
TO defend the Alamo to the last"
The arrival of the Mexican army was
not expected Col. James Bowie and
TRAVIS threw themselves into the Alamo.
and both commanders eXerted themselves
for the desperate defence which they had
determined 10 make. Colonel Bowie was
stricken with illness. and Travis. in
despatch or February "a. said:
When she enemy appeared We had not
three bushels Of corn. We have since
found eighty or ninety bushels"
There was no thought Of surrender. and
The arrival of the "greasers" was greeted
with a shot from the historic IS-pounder
OF the Alamo and a yell OF defiance. The
flag which waved proudly from the walls
was the trl-color of Mexico. bearing in
the centre the numbers 1924 instead Of the
eagle
Went to Death.
IT was under this flag that the heroic |
garrison went to its death, although four |
days before the Lone Star banner OF the |
Republic of Texas was unfurled at Wash |
fngton OFF the Brazos. The fight went on, /
the Mexicans besieging, the Texans max |
i,a~ saIlies into the ranks Of the enemy. l