Tensas gazette., 1911-05-05

q
troops were hurriedly dis
patched. is located close to the
historic spot where the battle OF
the Alamo was fought There a small
force of American pioneers of the
southwest fought against overwhelm-
ing odds until death gave the Mexican
army temporary victory. The strong
hold whittier they are bound bears
the name of the general who brought
Independence to the Lone Star state.
'Thermopylae had its messenger OF
defeat. Alamo had none"
This inscription, ascribed to Lord
Macauly. Is engraved on a monument
in the grounds Of the Texas capitol
at Austin In commemoration Of the
garrison. all of which died fighting
against overwhelming odds in the
battle OF the Alamo. which ended
March 6, 1886.
Americans In Texas rose in rebel
lion against the government Of Mex
leo In 1885. Early in 1886 the rebel
were under the leadership of the bluff
Gen. Sam Houston as president Of the
new republic Of Texas and as COM
mander-in-chief Of their little army Of
volunteers. II was a daring undertak
Ing for a scant 1000 men to attempt
to wrest the state from Mexico with
its $4,000 drilled troops. But the Tex
ans. headed by Sam Houston, Davy
Crockett William Travis and John
Hayden. feared no failure. The Mex
lean general. Santa Ana, set out from
the Rio Grande northward to quickly
conquer and punish rebellious Texans
Bis army Of 5000 men, after a march
OF nearly 500 miles across a desolate
country. reached San Antonio. conf
dent Of capturing that town and NOV
ing on to. the new capitol at Washing
ton, Tex
urprepared for Battle.
The garrison at San Antonio was
unprepared for Santa Ana's coming.
The first tidings of his approach were
given By the sentinels POSTED on the
roof Of the Alamo. which was an aban-
doned Franciscan mission, built in
IT'S. II numbered about 1856 men un-
der command Of Col William Travis.
When the news of Santa Ana's ap-
proach reached Travis he determined
to make good its defense until re-
endorsements could arrive With him
was Col James Bowie. whose name
was always associated with his famous
knife. and Davy Crockett, the from
tiersman and hunter of history and
romance. They had q few pieces of
artillery, little ammunition, 80 bushels
of corn and 80 beef cattle. which were
hurried within the inclosure.
Santa Ana demanded immediate sur.
render. Travis returned defiant re-
fusal. emphasized by cannon shot. A
blood red nag, signifying no quarter,
Immediately was raised above the
Mexican camp and their batteries
opened upon the garrison. Meanwhile
Travis had dispatched messengers to
Houston and Washington, Tex, s5
miles away. appealing for assistance.
The Mexican batteries attempted a
breach In the stone walls OF the mis-
sion at dawn February 26. For hours
every day the Mexicans continued the
siege. In hot fire which was opened
upon the garrison on the last morn
ing In February some OF the bombs
/. fell close to the spot where Davy
Crockett lay. He sprang up and made
his way to the ramparts just as the
Mexican gunner was reloading and be
rore ne could nre again shot him. A
comrsde caught up the match and ran
20 the toucnhole. But already fresh
nne nad been handed the Tennesseean
ana ne picked on the second gunner
as ne nad the nrst- Three more Mex
leans made the attempt and met a
nke fate ana Tor time the gun was
sienceo-
Colonel Travis called the garrison
ABOUT MIN March ). He made brief
tak' teinns nis comrades that longer
nope for assistance was useless. He
.o .np .ne Alamo should be surrsn-
~ = snouio De defended until
~ ~ - -. ,a.A u. was ueao. he drew Q
80 80 80. ".a nm s"o'u ON tne ADOBE noor
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s.u.1 an sry mere until l am
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