Anniversary of Alamo Recalls Heroes' Death

Anniversary of Alamo Recalls Heroes' Death
San Antonio Express, Sunday, March l, 1925.
This week is the anniversary of the historic days in San Antonio history when the city became a battle ground leading to the fall of the Alamo, characterised by Sidney Lanier, Southern poet, as the "bloodiest, smokiest, grimest of the century."
The morning of March 2, 1836, found Colonel William B. Travis in the Alamo with his men. Within the few proceding weeks many changes had taken place in the village. The famous "grass fight" had taken place. General Cos had been dislodged from Main Plaza, when Ben Milam led the Texans down on him and fought for every inch of the ground, until he commanded the Priest's House and was in position to whip Cos.
Then Santa Anna marched on te town and Travis and his men went to the Alamo preparing for the siege. Santa Anna demanded unconditional surrender, and the two forces parried, no engagements of consequence taking place. Travis was making frantic efforts to gain re-enforements. On the morning of March l, some say March 2, Captain John W. Smith arrived from Gonzales with 32 men and they entered the Alamo barricade to join Travis.
The siege was on. In the afternoon of March 3, the firing from the Mexican lines suddenly ceased. During this respite Colonel Travis drew his men upo in single file and stood before them and made the memorabole speech, in which he told them that within a short time they would be in eternity. "Our business is not to make a fruitless effort to save our lives; but to choose the manner of our death."
Colonel Travis then drew a line in front of the men with his sword and asked all who wanted to stay and die with him to cross the line. The men came over with him, Bowie, wounded, asked to be carried across. One man named Rose took the alternative of seeking to escape and jumped down from the wall and left the Alamo.
Soon again the cannon of Santa Anna began to speak and it continued until the morning of the 6th, Sunday, when the Mexicans stormed the walls and killed the last defender of the Alamo. Three women, a negro servant and a baby surrived.

THE SECOND FLYING COMPANY OF ALAMO DE PARRAS Š1996,1997, Randell Tarin. All Rights Reserved.