The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-15
Eetters to tbs Gditor
The>Alamo Again.

Editor Advertiser:
 The complaint of Mrs. E. $. Livinss- ton of Prattville, Ala. in your last Sundays issue is, I think. unjust to Mir. Will Sheehan. your staff correspon- dent, from the fact that Captain Fannin scene of the Alamo. Had Il . brave hero, Captain Fannin, been in the Ala mo. the keen eye of Will would have seen him and would have placed d wreath of glory on the brow of Fam min as he did on the brow of all. who immortalized themselves in she brave defense of that historic pfaee--the Ala
 If read Texas history correctly. the Alabama hero, Captain Fannin was the hero of quite another tragic scene. that of the battle of Colito. On March 14. 1886, Colonel Fannin received or ders from General Houston to leave Goliad and hasten to Victoria at once, but Colonel Fannin's command, one fourth of which was absent, he did not feel authorized to march without them therefore, Fannin delayed to obey the order of General Houston until on March IS, Urea, the Mexican General approached GoIiad when a light skir- Fannin felt that he could walt no lon ger, so having dispatched the cavalry to see if the way was clear, he com of nine miles, he halted to, rest his teams. This stop was made a short dis tance from the Colito Some of his officers objected to this. claiming that they should at least go on to the river Fannin and the majority of his men. however. had such supreme contempt for the Mexicans, that they were rash. "Urrea's troops will never dare to fol low us," they said. and, believing this they rushed into the jaws of death"
 After an hours rest, Fannin prepared, to continue his march, But he found himself completely surroundea ny S tnS come up during his halt To make mat ters worse, the Texans were in de- pression some feet lower than the sur rounding prairie, and were entirely des- titute of water
 Retreat was impossible. Fannin ar ranged his 300 men inta hollow square: and made ready to meet the attack of the 1,200 Mexican infantry and zoo cav airy. For hours the battle ragged fierce ly: many were lost on each side and ans had no water, their cannon soon grew too hot to be used. When 1t be- came dark, the Mexicans withdrew. leaving the Texans victor of the day"
 During all that night the Texan camp presented, a sad scene. The moans of the wounded and their pitiful cry just one drop of water was heartrend.' wounded. As all the teams had escap- ed during the battle, every hope of re- treat under shelter of darkness was destroyed.
 The next morning, Urea received 400 fresh troops and two cannon. When the Texans saw the Mexican artillery, they knew their last chance of victory without water surrounded by 4 foe that outnumbered them seven to one, tortured by the means of suffering and dying comrades1thsre here, was as nothing nut M ed, and Colonel Fannin went out to treat with Urea. His last words to his men. Boys. If I can't get an honorable all die together"
 After consultation the following was agreed upon as terms ofssurrender for Fannin and his brave men.
 1st The Texans were to be treated as prisoners of war, according to the usages of civilized nations.
 sna Private ang vas to Ss rs were to give up thetr side arms.
 3rd. The wounded were to receive proper care and medical attention
 These terms were written in both, Spanish and English, were read and signed by several parties, etc, and no one dreamed of their being violated. men had obtained, as they thought, an honorable surrender, an order was is- sued bY the Mexican authorities for
 The order was faithfully carried out and the blood of these men cryeth for vengeance to this day. Years ago. lc scenes. my young blood imbibed a dislike for the Spaniard. and I confess, I do not love them even now. No pa triotic man can read the manner of Colonel Fr.1nin's death without, admir- ing the man. and were today, stand ing on the spot where he so bravely barred his open bosom to the death dealing bullet-where he refused to kneei at the command of the Mexican commander to be shot. the noble man said, T kneeI to none but my God" I would take off my hat In reverence. Were every man in the South of the noble type of Fannin, they would rule the whole world
 We cannot honor the dust of Travis and Crockett, and Bowie and Fannin foo much Their heroic deeds will be nraised till time is no more.
 J. R McI,endon