Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921, 1908-07-16
We're Coming Home.
Continuation of The Sunny South

Burleson retired from command
and it was Travis aud Bowie
Jointly as representing the two
arms of military service, though
Travis seemed really to be COM
manding Office, probably owing
to Bowie's i'll health. The
Texans were al peace and good
government prevailed and the
Mexicans living there in friend
ship and justice. Lulled by a
false sense of security, the de.
tenders began to separate. Some
naturally went to their homes,
others joined the will o. whisp
scheme, the invasion of Mexico,
and the active garrison of San
Antonio was reduced to about
$50 men.
In the meantime the calm OF
San Antonio was threatened by
a storm brewing in the Mexican
capital. General Coss had re-
turned there aud the story of his
ignominious defeat by a handful
of Texans had been told. Santa
Anna was enraged over the loss
of Texas. The disgrace of
Mexican arms and his anger was
increased when his political
enemies used the fact against his
military prowess, of which he
was especially proud He regard
ed himself as "The Napoleon of
Mexico" and nothing delighted
him more than the title given
him by his sycophants, "The
Napsleon of the West"
Santa Anna was impulsive and
erratic but he was essentially
bold and aggressive and spared
no means to attain his desired
end. He decided on the recon.
quest of Texas and to punish the
Texans whom he naturally called
rebels, and for this purpose or
ganized an army of picked men
and equipped it in the best man
ner known in the military circles
of that day. Aud, what was
more, he decided tolead the army
in person to its anticipated vict-
ories, and thus add to his laurels.
With all possible speed Santa
Anna set out from Mexico with a
large army, most of who had
served under him in the Mexican
victories and were experts in
warfare.
On February 22nd, the ami
versary of Washington's birthday
the vanguard of Santa Annals
army, much to the disnay of the
Texans, arrived at Alazan. The
significance of this was ominous.
1t ment that the Mexican forces
would attack San Antonio, but
the Importance and extent of it's
commission was rot understood.
OF course the Texans were on
the qui vive and began to organ
ize for defence, and when all
was told, there were but las
fighting, men. Houston, as
commander-in-chief, had antici-
pated this attack and had order
ed that in such event, Travis
should blow up the A a m o
and fall back on Goliad, where
he would be strengthened by
forces there and juncture could
be made with the varied forces.
These instructions we're disre-
garded. The Alamo was the
natural fortress of the city and
to that place Travis and his men
retired He thought probably of
Milam's success and he had
reasonable hope Of reinforce
nents for several points where
fcXas troops were located and
expected to be ready for service.
The Texans began to arrange
the Alamo for defence. On the
next day Santa Anna and his
army arrived. His blood banner
was placed OH Sanfernaudo
Cathedral, meaning no quarter or
mercy and formal demand was
made for the surrended of the
city. The only answer the
Texans made was a cannon shot
aimed at the banuer, but it did
not reach it.
Foraging patlies of Texas Sc
cured 80 bushels of corn and 80
beeves and other provender. BY
the cacnnd dau the Maxica.c haA