The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 78, July 1974 - April, 1975 Page: 305
562 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Notes and Documents
ing this period they repulsed the enemy in repeated asalts by day and night
repaired successive breaches in the fortification, made a terrible slaughter
of the assailants and remained almost unhurt, on the morning of the 6th
worn out by incessant toil, exhausted nature would endure no longer; and
during a temporary suspension of the bombardment they sought repose.
The enemy became apprised of their situation by the supposed treachery of
a Mexican in the Fort and surrounded it with their whole force of infantry
and cavalry they were roused from their sleep by the cry of the enemy on
the walls; and as giants they arose to the fight and thrice drove them back.
Before undaunted courage the whole host [cowered] and were forced again
to the charge at the point of the lance. They cam thousands, and as a herd
of cattle overrun a handful of men. But the gallant band remained un-
daunted to the last, and the conflict was terrible & almost superhuman.
Five hundred and twenty one of the enemy were slain and as many wound-
ed. In previous encounters they had sustained an equal loss. This statement
is [ ? ] from the fact that the fort contained cannon & musket to
a very large amount captured by the Gallant Milam at the surrender of
Gen'l Coss, and that each man was armed with from five to ten loaded
pieces for every assault on the 6th. Capt. Jamison is said to have discharged
the artilery under his command thirty times. The generous Bonham, who
with thirty-three brave fellows had entered the Fort during the siege, was
found apart from his comrades with eighteen Mexican dead around him.
David Crocket (now rendered immortal in Glory) had fortified himself
with sixteen guns well charged, and a monument of slain foes encompassed
his lifeless body. These few details are evidence of the feats of all. They were
determined to conquer or die. From a merciless enemy they had no quarters
to expect, and resolved to ask none. Every man fought to his last breath
and not one survives. The chivarlic Travis fell in the breach, and prostrate
with wounds grasped his sword and with the last ebb of life felled to the
earth the officer who first entered the Fort and they both were extended
lifeless corpses.
The tongue of every noble spirit of whom we speak is silent in death and
we anticipate in a succint and imperfect narrative the future Glory of their
fame. They died martyrs to liberty; and on the alter of there sacrifice will
be made many a vow that shall break the shackles of tyranny. Thermopyla
is no longer without a paralel, and when time shall consecrate the dead of
the Alimo, Travis and his companions will be named in rivalry with Leoni-
das his Spartan band.
The impotent revenge of the Mexicans in mutilating the dead bodies of
these brave men, and in denying them the rites of the sepulchre by burning305
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 78, July 1974 - April, 1975, periodical, 1974/1975; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117149/m1/352/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.