The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-06-07
Battle of the Alamo Is
Recalled by the Pres
ent Movement

~HE thousands Of United States
= 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 un.
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 al commander In
chief of their little army Of volunteers.
It was a daring undertaking for a
scant 1900 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. His
army of 5000 men after a march OF
nearly 600 miles across a desolate
country reached San Antonio confident
of capturing that town and moving on
to the new capitol at Washington, Tex.
San Antonio Was U%nprepared.
The garrison at San Antonio was un-
prepared for Santa Annals coming. The
first tidings of his approach were given
by the sentinels posted on the roof OF
the Alamo, which was an abandoned
Franciscan mission built In 1923. 1t
numbered about 1856 men under COM
mand of Colonel William Travis.
. When the news of Santa Annals ap-
proach reached Travis he determined
to make good it's defense until re-en'
forcements could arrive. With him
was Colonel James Bowie, whose name
was always associated with his ia
nous knife, and Davy Crockett, the
frontiersman and hunter Of history and
nan They had a few pieces OF
artillery, little ammunition, ninety
bushels of corn and thirty beef cattle
which were hurried within the inclo
sure.
. Santa Anna demanded immediate sur
render. Travis returned a defiant re
fusal, emphasized by a n n shot
A blood red flag, signifying no quar-
ter, Immediately was raised above thu
Mexican camp, and their batteries
opened upon the garrison. Meanwhile
Travis had dispatched messengers t
Houston and Washington, Tex, nlne
ty-flve miles away, appealing for as
sistance. The Mexican batteries al
tempted a breach In the stone walls Q
the mission at dawn, Feb. 20. Fo
hours every day the MeXicans col
tinued the siege. In n hot fire whic
was opened upon the garrison on tn
last morning in February some OF tn
bombs fell close to the spot wher
Davy Crockett lay. He sprang up an
made his way to the ramparts just &
the Mexican gunner was reloading an
before he could fire again shot him.
comrade caught up the match and ra
to the touchhole. But already a fres
rifle had been handed the Tennesseeal
and he picked off the second gunnt
as he had the first. Three more Me.
leans made the attempt and met a lil
fate, and for a time the gun was s
fenced.
Brave Colonel Travis.
Colonel Travis called the garriso
about him March 3. He made a bri,
talk, telling his comrades that long
hope for assistance was useless. Z
said that the Alamo should be sure
dered or it should be defended un'