Embedded Files
PRIMARY SOURCE 1
An account of the battle given by a Mexican soldier serving under the command of General Santa Anna
The attack was made in four columns, led by General Cos, General Morales, Duque de Estrada, and Romero. I marched under the immediate command of General Cos and tell you what I saw. After a long wait we took our places at 3 o'clock A.M. on the south side, a distance of 300 feet from the fort of the enemy. Here we remained flat on our stomachs until 5:30 (Whew! it was cold) when the signal to march was given by the President [General Santa Anna] from the battery between the north and east.
Immediately, General Cos cried "Foreward" and placing himself at the head of the attack, we ran to the assault, carrying scaling ladders, picks and spikes. Although the distance was short the fire from the enemy's cannon was fearful; we fell back; more than forty men fell around me in a few moments.
One can but admire the stubborn resistance of our enemy, and the constant bravery of all our troops. It seemed every cannon ball or pistol shot of the enemy embedded itself in . . . our men who without stopping cried: "Long live the Mexican Republic! Long live Santa Anna!" I can tell you the whole scene was one of extreme terror ... After some three quarters of an hour of the most horrible fire, there followed the most awful attack with hand arms ... Poor things - no longer do they live - all of them died, and even now I am watching them burn - to free us from their putrification - 257 corpses without counting those who fell in the previous thirteen days, or those who vainly sought safety in flight.
Their leader named Travis, died like a brave man with his rifle in his hand at the back of a cannon . . . Our loss was terrible in both officers and men.
PRIMARY SOURCE 2
A letter written by William B. Travis, the Texan commander of the Alamo
Scroll down to see a picture of the original letter, pages 1 and 2. Continue scrolling to read the text of the letter
Page 1
Page 2
Here are some definitions that might be helpful to you as you read the letter:
Commandancy: the person in charge
Bombardment: a continuous attack with bombs or cannonballs
Surrender at discretion: unconditional surrender
Beeves: plural form of beef
To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World:
Fellow citizens & compatriots—I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna—I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man. The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken—I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch—The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country—Victory or Death.
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt
P.S. The Lord is on our side—When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn—We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis
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