Richmond daily palladium., 1906-01-13

contempt and felt within themselves
the assuring strength of righteous
cause. In any event they preferred
warfare to oppression, annihilation
to political servitude.
| Considering the scornful answer of
the Texans as a challenge for war,
Santa Anna at once put in motion a
well equipped army of five thousand
men. His forceful march was un-
checked, and with a path of devasta-
tion marking their cruel advance
through Texas, the Mexican troops
took up the siege Of the Alamo at
San Antonio. In the Alamo stone
mission, whose ground plan was in the
form of a sacred cross, were gathered
one hundred and eighty-three Ameri-
cans. Well versed i'll the art OF for
est craft, they had ample chance to
| escape, and notwithstanding that
death was inevitable, every Texan re-
mained with the fort. Colonel TRAY
is showed his courage by replying to
Santa Anna's summons for surren-
der with cannon shot.
For eleven davs the Mexicans be-
sieged the mission without result
Their charges were repulsed and their
cannonading was without avail. San
ia Anna realized that an assault
| would be necessary to gain the fort,
and at four o clock on that memora-
Bile Sunday morning, March 9th, his
bu@ers broke tie quietude Of the
plain by their sharp calls. "to arms.
to arms. - Bugle answered buele.
and for miles around the plains ecu
oed with the shrill refrain. The
tones were imperative and cruel. In
wild savage gusts. the military bands
played the infamous Duquelo, sound
ing IN every ear, ono quarter, no
quarter" simultaneously with the
appearance of lights in the circling
camps, came a prolonged shout, the
booming of cannon, an awful mur-
murous tumult mingled with shrieks
and curses. The Mexican troops
were taking up their arms.
Warned by these activities that
the expected moment was at hand,
the Texans were assembled on the
plaza, but not to trumpet notes of
preparation. No banner beckoned
her defenders on to combat, nor did
worthy general, on gallant charger,
inspire his troops to final effort. No !:
If the Texans sought inspiration they
must get it from the sombre walls
of the little church or from the dull
room of the hospital. To the simple
| order of their commander for atten-
ton, they grasped their rifles more
tightly and listened carefully to his
charge.
Fellow soldiers,'' said he, "the
crisis has come, your commander has
sworn never to surrender or retreat
and the end must be victory or death.
Yet there is still time to escape, and
desire that all who want TO leave
me. do it freely. But all those who
want to die like heroes and patriots,
come over to me. Every man step
ped to the side Of his commander.
Calm and resoIute they repaired to
their stations on the wall to await
the breaking of the battle storm. un-
daunted by the prospect, unshaken
by the fearful odds before them.
The siege has ended; the battle is
on. Hemmed within narrow walls
of stone, one hudred and eighty-three
Amer'cans are to meet the Mexican
five taousand. A mea@re band de-
termined to stand for liberty and its
/ rights, is TO do battle with foreign
horde, dominated by lust for conquest
and greed for power. I'm numbers,
a second David accepts the challenge
of a second Goliath David cannot
win his sling Of right and justice.
breaks before the over powering
force of superior strength. Though
crushed in body, the spirit of the
Texans did not die. and receiving
from 1t new inspiration. the remain
ing settlers rose i'll their righteous
might and threw off the Mexican
yoke of oppression forever.
Twice driven back by the Texan
defenders, the MeXicans rush to the
third attack at the point of cavalry
| hayonatS The forcpS pf tho TaxanS
being insufficient to protect the entire
wall, the Mexicans find vantage
point, and swarming over the wall
they fall into the fort. Wherever
possible their artillery is trained on
the Texans, and they fall like grain
before the reaper Every spot is a
| hnttln .S,.,.,,l NIL L. :, 1