February 28, 1836 at the Alamo-Day 6

Santa Ana receives word of Col. Fannin’s march to the Alamo’s relief with his forces from Goliad. 

The morale of the Alamo garrison is high.  According to Susanna Dickinson’s account, David Crockett took up a fiddle and challenged John McGregor, a Scot with bagpipes, to a contest of instruments.

At the siege of Alamo David Crockett and his Tennessee Mounted Volunteers were busy with their rifles. The Mexican Captain Rafael Soldana later wrote: “A tall man, with flowing hair, was seen firing from the same place on the parapet during the entire siege. He wore a buckskin suit and a cap all of a pattern entirely different from those worn by his comrades. The man would kneel or lie down behind the low parapet, rest his long gun and fire, and we all learned to keep at a good distance when he was seen to make ready to shoot. He rarely missed his mark, and when he fired he always rose to his feet and calmly reloaded his gun seemingly indifferent to the shots fired by our men. He had a strong, resonant voice and often railed at us, but as we did not understand English we could not comprehend the import of his words further that that they were defiant. This man I later learned was known as “Kwockey”.

Remember the Alamo

Note: Tomorrow will be a double post as it was Leap Year in 1836

February 27, 1836-The Alamo-Day 5

Throughout the day, the Texian forces maintained constant fire upon the Mexican work parties.  According to General Filisola, the Texians were seen working on their own ditch inside the parapet of the cattle pen.  This effort later proved fruitless and was harmful to the Alamo’s defense by undermining the walls, essentially removing any walkway the defenders might have had.

General Gaona received a dispatch from Santa Ana of the 25^th requesting three battalions as quickly as possible.  Gaona complied.

The Gonzales Ranging Company begins their march to the Alamo with 25 men answering Col. Travis call for reinforcements.  Eight others join along the way.  They will become known as the Immortal 32.

Remember the Alamo

February 26, 1836-The Alamo-Day 4

The Texians burned more jacales during the night.  It became apparent water at the Alamo would soon be a problem.  Although there was a well, it was not sufficient for the number of people now inside the Alamo, the garrison plus various others that sought safety there.  Water would need to be obtained from the nearby acequia for the time being.

A Norther blew in overnight reducing temperatures to near freezing.  In the early morning daylight, some of the Texian garrison proceeded outside the walls of the Alamo to obtain water and firewood.  A skirmish erupted with the Mexican troops under General Sesma.  Mexican casualties were sustained  due to the Texian’s cannon that fired in support.

An entry from the journal of Mexican Colonel Juan Almonte

FRIDAY, FEB. 26, 1836
The northern wind continued very strong; the thermometer fell to 39, and during the rest of the day remained at 60.
At daylight, there was a slight skirmish between the enemy and a small party of the division of the east, under the command of General Sesma. During the day the firing from our cannon was continued. The enemy did not reply, except now and then. At night the enemy burnt the small houses near the parapet of the battalion of San Luis, on the other side of the river. Some sentinels were advanced. In the course of the day the enemy sallied out for wood and water, and were opposed by our marksmen.
The northern wind continues.

And this I meant to post yesterday in addition to:

A two-hour engagement occurs when Santa Anna’s troops attempt to occupy jacales (picket and thatch huts) located near the southwest corner of the compound. Members of the garrison venture out and burn the jacales this night. Santa Anna’s soldiers construct artillery batteries south of the Alamo. James W. Fannin leaves Goliad with a relief column bound for the Alamo.

Sorry that this was not posted according to the time frame.  I find some items after I have made my post during my search.  I can't promise it won't happen again.  

February 25, 1836 San Antonio de Bejar-Day 3

To Major General Sam Houston

HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO: Sir; On the 23rd of Feb., the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Bartes, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o'clock a.m. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded.

During the action, the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded -- while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled. I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of the artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire. Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty. Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!

W. Barret Travis

Lt. Col. Com

This letter below was sent February 23 and arrived this day February 25, 1836

To James Fannin from W.B. Travis and James Bowie:

COMMANDANCY OF BEXAR: We have removed all the men to the Alamo where we make such resistance as is due our honor, and that of a country, until we can get assistance from you, which we expect you to forward immediately. In this extremity, we hope you will send us all the men you can spare promptly. We have one hundred and forty six men, who are determined never to retreat. We have but little provisions, but enough to serve us till you and your men arrive. We deem it unnecessary to repeat to a brave officer, who knows his duty, that we call on him for assistance.

And from the Mexican side ( a day late)

Colonel Juan Almonte, February 24, 1836

Wednesday, Very early this morning a new battery was commenced on the bank of the river, about 350 yards from the Alamo. It was finished in the afternoon, and a brisk fire was kept up from it until the 18 pounder and another piece were dismounted. The President reconnoitered on horseback, passing within musket shot of the fort. According to a spy, four of the enemy were killed. At evening the music struck up, and went to entertain the enemy with it and some grenades. 

So It Begins-1836-The Letter

William B.Travis to Major-General Sam Houston
HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO:

Sir; On the 23rd of Feb. the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Batres, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o’clock A.M. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharger of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded. 

During the action the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded—while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled. I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire. Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty. Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on id to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!

W. Barret Travis

Lt. Col. Com

More Doctor and The Alamo

Not for me but the wife this time.  Her surgeon had suggested she see a GI doctor after her big blow out had healed some.  Today she saw the GI.  He had done his homework on her history it appears.  His plan is to get more tests to see if there is anything else going on in there and take preventive measures.  So a colonoscopy is scheduled but that won't happen until May 2.  They are that busy.  She will also need an MRI so they can see more of the small intestine that the colonoscopy can't see.  Until this is done we don't have a definitive plan.  He did tell her if she begins to have any bowel distress at all to call him immediately and he will get her some antibiotics.  That would be to prevent any diverticulitis from getting any worse, to the point it gets like it was before.  We are hopeful and are remaining positive.

If you live in Texas you might be aware of the controversy surrounding the Alamo.  If you are a registered voter in Texas the primary is March 6th.  If you care about the Alamo at all it would behoove you to learn what is going on with the Alamo.  The current Commissioner of the General Land Office has stepped in it.  He has riled a lot of Native Texans and others that care, with the plans he had to destroy the Alamo as it stands today, a memorial to those that sacrificed their lives in 1836, to some sort of politically correct tourist attraction that completely changes the meaning of what happened there.  Who is this Commissioner?  It's another Bush, Jeb Bush's son to be exact.  He is NOT a Native Texan as the Bush family calls themselves Texans, and has proved his lack of understanding of all things Texan and most importantly the Alamo.

Get informed, go vote in the primary.  There are alternatives.

Happy Trails

Thoughts

Today another young soldier friend heads out for deployment.  This is his 12th and he is not yet 30 years old.  It is a bit different for him this time.  He is the sergeant in charge of over 30 men (no officer avaliable) and only 4 have any previous deployments.  By deployments, I mean to a war zone.  This time is different than anything he has done before.  I don't want to be too specific as you can imagine.  But he and his family have been heavy on my mind.  

How long have we been in Afghanistan?  Seventeen plus years is it?  I am getting to the point that I am fed up with our involvement there.  I don't know what our goals there are anymore.  I don't think we have accomplished any meaningful change to that primitive society.  That is something that will take many generations to effect any real change there.  At least enough to be significant.  Are we prepared to do that that long?  At what cost?  Yes, I understand some, not all, the ramifications of us leaving.  But I can't stop thinking of these young soldiers that put everything on the line over there.  At this point, it doesn't seem I will see an end to it in my lifetime.  This saddens me.

My thoughts are a jumble right now.  I am frustrated that we are still there, fighting a seemingly endless war, with little results.  The rest of America seems to have forgotten we are still at war there and American lives are in jeopardy every day.  The press has moved on to other things that they think are more important, like destroying a president or undermining our society.

I am currently reading T.R. Feherenbach's, This Kind of War.  It is the classic history of the Korean War. 

 I see so many parallels in that book to today's press and the liberals that want to gut our military.  That approach got a lot of our young men slaughtered in that war.  The attitudes bled over into the military.  Lack of preparation, lack of discipline all added up.  Yes, we were tired of war as a country, this just 5 years after WW 2.  I see some of the same happening recently, especially under the previous administration.  Hopefully the current can correct some of that.  I would suggest that every military man be required to read this book.  

Not so happy trails today. my apoligies