The Alamo by Frank Thompson

Author:Frank Thompson [Thompson, Frank]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Time Warner
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Victory or Death!

William Barret Travis

Lt. Col. Comdt

He started to fold the letter, then thought that he should offer some heartening news, to indicate the resourcefulness and resolve of his men.

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

Travis read the letter over. He thought of a few high-flown phrases to add, but there was no time. This letter, as hastily written and crude as it was, would simply have to do. The readers would have to forgive its literary failings.

Travis turned to Joe, who had tired of digging and returned to their quarters. While Travis was immersed in the composition of his letter, Joe had been sitting patiently on a stool by the door. “Joe,” Travis said, “go get Captain Martin and tell him to report to me immediately.”

“Yes, sir,” Joe said, and bolted out the door.

In just a moment, Albert Martin stepped in. “Sir.”

“Captain Martin,” Travis said, “I want you to take this message to Gonzales.”

“Yes, sir,” Martin said.

Travis handed the note to Martin. “Bring back every able-bodied man you can find,” he said. “And have this message relayed on by someone there. Colorado Smith and Mr. Smither rode out yesterday. Perhaps you will see one of them to hand this off to.”

Martin nodded and ran out to prepare his horse. Travis sat at his desk. Now for the hardest part: waiting.

At dusk, just as Albert Martin rode out of the Alamo and found the road to Gonzales, the bitter sound of the Deguello came blasting at the Alamo from the Mexican army band in Béxar. All around the fort, the men grimaced and started looking for cover. They knew what was coming. And, the moment the nightmare call ended, the bombardment began again. The men of the Alamo crouched and covered themselves and prayed that a shell would not find them in the dark.

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