The Fall of the Alamo ~ page 13

After the salutations and rejoicings of citizens were concluded, the besiegers resumed their operations and prosecuted the siege with renewed violence. Perhaps a few of Santa Anna’s troops assisted them, though the main part took a position on the old Goliad road half a mile from the Alamo, where they no doubt rested, for no assault for the purpose of storming the fort was made until the sixth of March.

By this time nearly all of the Mexicans who had joined the garrison at the beginning of the siege had left. They had joined believing that Travis would receive reinforcements sufficient to enable him to maintain the fort, when they would be on the safe side, but, being disappointed in this their hearts failed in view of the fate which they must unavoidably suffer should they stand up to their first resolves. They knew both the weakness of the garrison and the strength of the enemy. Only three of them remained true to our cause. These desertions left the number of the Texians one hundred and eighty-six, counting John W. Smith who had remained, since his entrance on March the first, to take his chance with the rest.

One would suppose that this little band of men became aware of their inadequacy to maintain their position and that emotions of despair began to invade their hearts. For eight days and nights they had been constantly on duty, without sleep and on scant rations. They had anxiously expected the hour when assistance would reach them, that hour, which alas, they were never destined to hail. Now they were wearied and worn down by their constant vigilance, yet soon to be called upon to resist a force more than sixteen times their equal in number. What dark emotions they must have experienced in this extremity. All the sacred associations of the past crowded upon them, whilst the embittering prospect of the future silently admonished them that they would never witness that glorious dawn which should hail their country free and independent of despotic sway. But it was not theirs to falter. The rights of their countrymen were seized by the oppressive arm of a tyrant, and they were called upon to rescue them from his grasp. The fondest endearments of time sustained and buoyed them and though they should perish, and their names be forever consigned to oblivion, the noblest considerations of chivalry and honor still pressed upon them and demanded a sacrifice at their hands, which the All-wise disposer of events, for purposes of his own wisdom, allowed that they should make, and for which thoughts, the dearest that humanity could bestow, they should receive the richest reward of a grateful people. It was this consideration which upheld them. That pride of character, love of home and country, the true soldier’s noblest attributes, enabled them to sustain with cheerfulness, if possible, their position, in this, their hour of extremity. It was thus, surrounded with the enemy, and awaiting the hour of attack, not knowing how soon it might arrive, that Travis addressed a letter to the Convention, and several others to private individuals, amongst which was a note to his friend in Washington county. Who, as he reads it does not feel something of that spirit possessed by its author, and whose heart does not swell with increased sympathy, and feel for that officer, this noble man, and his compatriots, that they can never repay the debt of honor he owes to their sacred memory! Those letters from Travis and quite a number of others from his comrades to their relatives were sent out on the night of the third of March by John W. Smith, who reached Gonzales on the following day about three o’clock P. M. Immediately on his arrival there he represented to the citizens the perilous condition of their countrymen at Bexar, assuring them that Travis and his men must inevitably perish unless assistance was despatched in the greatest possible haste. He announced that if one hundred men could be raised that they would be sufficient to sustain the fort, at least until others could reach it, and that he would start with them, as guide, as soon as they could get ready. In a short time he was informed that the number desired could not be raised, but that fifty could and would be ready very soon. The following night passed and he was informed that some of the fifty had declined to go, but that twenty-five men were available and would be at his service the next day. Saturday finally came, when, owing to some unspeakable cause, they were yet unable to set out. After much hurry and confusion, and, consequently, further delay, Sunday morning found them en route for Bexar, well equipped, with good arms and ten days provisions. Travis’ supply of beef and corn had well nigh given out and when Smith left the fort his order was that every may who came to his assistance should bring ten days rations, saying that he would fire the eighteen pounder three times a day, at morning, noon, and night, so long as the Alamo stood. The gun was fired regularly and was distinctly heard at Gonzales.