The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1916-04-26
A CRIME AVENGED
When Mexico Was Punished For
the Massacre at the Alamo.
SLAUGHTER OF OUR HEROES.


James Bowie and the Treaehery THAI
Resulted In the Butchery Of Dav)
I Crockett and His Little Band.
When the massacre of the Alamo oc
Cured OH March g, 1896. there was Il
cry for vengeance over the entire
| country. Hardly an American in Tex
as able to bear arms but who present.
! ed himself to avenge this crime. RE
member the AlGmor' was the battle.
cry when Sam Houston and his largely
augmented army went out to meet the
Mexicans.
Sam Houston of Tennessee had serv-
ed with General Jackson In the Indian
war. He had gone to Texas with the
distinct object of wrestling that coun-
try from Mexico. Revolutionary con-
WILSON'S in Mexico gave the American
colonists welcome opportunities for
complaints, which led to collisions with
the Mexican authorities.
General Santa Anna. who by sue
cessful revolutionary stroke had put
hlIlStll at lbt Itdh VI llt AIcAlCull
government, attempted to reduce the
unruly Americans to obedience. In
1885 armed conflicts took place. in
which the Americans frequently had
the advantage The Texans declared
their independence from Mexico on
March 3, 1896. The declaration was
signed by about sixty men, among
whom there were only two of Mexican
nationality.
Meantime Santa Anna advanced at
the head of a Mexican army. entered
Texas and on Feb. % laid siege to the
Alamo fort at San Antonio. Atrocious
butchery marked the progress of his
soldiery. The Mexican general made
frequent assaults upon the fort to rout
the defenders. The small handful of
Americans. however. were able to with
stand the siege for eleven days. They
were starving. but in spite of this they
We're able to infict death upon about
LOGO of the enemy.
When the siege was at its height
Davy Crockett, with about thirty from
tiersmen. cut his way through the Mex
lean forces and, rushing into the fort.
shouted. Boys, we're here to die with
you!" Finally the day came when the
little band could withstand the assault
no longer. 1t was the memorable 9th
struggle. but each American before he
gave up his life made the enemy pay
an awful toll
Colonel James Bowie was one of the
bravest of the Americans, and when
his body was discovered it lay In the
center of circle of slain Mexicans. At
last only six defenders remained alive.
among whom was Davy Crockett.
Santa Anna promised them protection
If they would surrender, but the mo-
ment they laid down their arms they
We're butchered like sheep. More than
dozen sword wounds pierced Crockett
before he fell.
Mad with rage at the Alamo tragedy.
Sam Houston gathered the settlers to-
gether. He showed an unusual amount
Of strategy, knowing that his band of
followers would not be able to compete
with the Mexicans, so he retreated in
order to scatter the pursuing Mexican
force until San Jacinto was reached.
At San Jacinto the Americans charged
the Mexican force, which was much
superior in number, but throughout the
roar of the cannonading and the rattle
of musketry that wild yell, Remember
the Alamow could be constantly heard
above the din. 1t stirred the patriots
and made them fight like demons. In
barely twenty minutes after the first
onslaught the Mexicans We're flying in
every direction, with Houston and his
men following them.
Houston had his horse shot from
under him, and bullet had smashed
his own ankle. This made no impress
sion upon him, for he paused not for
moment until the entire Mexican
force was destroyed. The Mexican
loss was 1900 killed and captured, and
among the latter was Santa Anna.
1t was the battle of San Jacinto
that secured for Texas her independ
ence, and for his valor Sam Houston
received as his pay the honor of being
the first president of the new re-
public. which was later to become the
largest state in the Union. 1t was
through Houston's influence ten years
later that Texas became Il member Of
the United States-with the result, the
Mexican war. Texas, by the way, has
been under no less than six flagstaff
of France. Spain, Mexico. the Texas
republic, the Southern Confederacy and
Old Glory. -Philadelphia Press.