The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-05-11
TROOPS GATHERED
MADE MEMORABLE
Battle of the Alamo Is
Recalled by the Pres
ent Movement
~ He thousands of United States

= Y
troops now in Texas are en-
camped near the historic spot
where the battle of the Alamo
was fought. There a small force OF
American pioneers of the southwest
fought against overwhelming odds I'M
til death gave the Mexican army a
temporary victory.
Thermopylae had its message Of defeat
Alamo had none.
This inscription, ascribed to Lord
Macaulay, is engraved on a monument
in the grounds of the Texas capitol at
Austin in commemoration Of the gar
rison. all of which died fighting against
overwhelming odds in the battle OF the
Alamo, which ended March 6, 1886.
Americans in Texas rose in rebellion
against the government of Mexico In
1885. Early in 1886 the rebellion grew
into warfare, says the Kansas City
Star. The Texans were under the
| leadership of the bluff General Sam
| Houston as president of the new re-
public of Texas and as commander IN
chief of their little army of volunteers.
1t was a daring undertaking for q
scant 1000 men to attempt to wrest
the state from Mexico, with its $4,000
drilled troops. But the Texans, head
| ed by, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett,
William Travis and John Hayden,
| feared no failure. The Mexican Gen
eral Santa Anna set out from the Rio
Grande northward to quickly conquer
| and punish rebellious Texans. bis
| army of 5000 men after a march OF
nearly 600 miles across a desoiate
country reached San Antonio confident
of capturing that town and moving or
to the new capitol at Washington, Tex
San Antonio Was UnpIepared.
The garrison at San Antonio was IN
prepared for Santa Annals coming. Iht
first tidings of his approach were giVe1
,by the sentinels posted on the roof Of
the Alamo, which was an abandoned
Franciscan mission built in 1723. L
numbered about 1S5 men under com
maad of Colonel William Travis
When the news Of Santa Annals ap
proach reached Travis he determined
to make good its defense until re-en
forcements could arrive. With hin
was Colonel James Bowie, whose name
was always associated with his ia
nous knife. and Davy Crockett, tn
frontiersman and hunter Of history AM
romance. They had few pieces o
artillery, little ammunition. ninet.
bushels of corn and thirty beef cattle
which were hurried within the inclo
sure.
Santa Anna demanded immediate SUI
render. Travis returned a defiant re
fusai, emphasized by a cannon shot
A blood red flag, signifying no quar-
ter. Immediately was raised above til
Mexican camp. and their batterie
opened upon the garrison. Meanwhile
Travis had dispatched messengers t
Houston and Washington, Tex, nine
ty-fiye miles away, appealing for as
sistance. The Mexican batteries o.
tempted breach in the stone walls
the mission at dawn, Feb, 26. Fo
hours every day the Mexicans cor
tinued the siege. In hot fire whic
was opened upon the garrison on th
last morning in February some of tn
bombs fell close to the spot wheI
DaVy Crockett lay. He sprang up an
made his way to the ramparts just q
the Mexican gunner was reloading an
before he could fire again shot him.
comrade caught up the match and "a
to the touchhole. But already fires
rifle had been handed the Tennesseeai
|, and he picked off the second gunn'
as he had the first. Three more Me!
leans made the attempt and met Lii
fate, and for time the gun was S
fenced.