Volume 18 , Issue 40

The Alamo & Fall of San Antonio, 1836

Remember the Alamo? In searching the news archives, we found this mention in The Long-Island Star, Brooklyn, New York, dated 14 April 1836, Thursday, page 2, with a brief description concerning what happened on the 6th of March 1836 about midnight, at the Alamo, in San Antonio, Texas.

Found on Newspapers.com
On the 6th March about midnight, the Alamo was assaulted by the whole force of the Mexican army, commanded by Santa Anna in person; the battle was desperate until daylight, when only seven men belonged to the Texian Garrison were found alive who cried for quarters; but were told that there was no mercy for them; they continued fighting until the whole were butchered.

On woman, Mrs. Dickinson and a negro of Travis, were the only persons whose lives were spared. We regret to say that Col. David Crocket, his companion Mr. Benton, and Col. Bonham of South Carolina, were among the slain. Gen. Bowie was murdered in his bed, sick and helpless. Gen. Cos on entering the fort, ordered the servant of Col. Travis to pint out the body of his master; he did so, when Cos drew his sword and mangled the face and limbs with the malignant feeling of a Comanche savage. The bodies of the slain were thrown into a heap in the centre of the Alamo and burned. The loss of the Mexicans in storming the place was not less than 1000 killed and mortally wounded, and as many wounded - making their loss in the first assault, between 2 and 3000 men. The flag used by the Mexicans was a blood red one in place of the Constitutional one.

Immediately after the capture, Gen. Santa Anna sent MRs. Dickinson nd the servant to Gen. Houston's camp, accompanied by a Mexican with a flag, who was bearer of a note from Gen. Santa Anna, offering the Texans peace and a general amnesty if they would lay down their arms and submit to his government. Gen. Houston's reply was "true sir, you have succeeded in killing some of our brave men - but the Texans are not yet conquered."

The effect of the fall of Bexar throughout Texas was electrical. Every man who could use a rifle and was in a condition to take the field, marched forthwith to the seat of war. IT is believed that not less than 4000 riflemen were on their way to the army, when the Comanche sailed, determined to wreak their vengeance on the Mexicans.

Gen. Houston had burnt Gonzales, and fallen back on the Colorado, with about 100. Col. Fanning was in the fort at Goliad, a very strong position, well supplied with ammunitions and provisions, with from 4 to 500 men.

The general determination of the people of Texas was to abandon all their occupations and pursuits of peace, and continue in arms until every Mexican east of the Riodel Norte shall be exterminated. A gentleman who left Texas on the 19th confirms the account substantially we give of the terrible affair of San Antonio. St. Anna was with his army, and subsequent to the battle of San Antonio, offered the Texans terms - to lay down their arms, receive a general amnesty, and submit otherwise unconditionally to his government; Texas was by then in arms to revenge the heroes fallen in defense of their liberties.

Col. Crocket was in the garrison of sAn Antonio, and Col. Jesse Benton it was also feared was in the engagement, and one of the victims.
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