weather was coming on, and many were forced to return to their homes. Others threatened to leave; a spirit of unrest, discord, and dissatisfaction filled the camp.

Ben Milam's Plan.- About this time a deserter arrived in camp who told the Texans that the Mexican troops were dissatisfied, that the fortifications were not so strong as represented, and that General Cos was ignorant as to the real

state of affairs in the Texas camp. Burleson and Milam held a conference and decided that the latter should lead a volunteer party against the enemy. Ben Milam stepped to the center of the camp, waved his hat, gave a ringing "huzza," and shouted: "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?" Cheer after cheer rose from the

Edward Burleson

soldiers and about two hundred and fifty volunteered. The Storming of San Antonio.- While it was still dark on the morning of December 5, the men stole silently to an old mill near by, where Milam was to give orders for the attack. All was soon arranged. At five o'clock, Colone! Neill led his division to storm the Alamo, as it seemed, but in reality this was only a ruse to give the force led by Milam and Colonel F. W. Johnson, a chance to enter the city unobserved. The Texans opened

a lively fire upon the Alamo. The Mexicans were completely surprised, but the bugle-sound quickly brought them to arms. Neill, learning that Milam had succeeded in making his way into San Antonio, withdrew to join. the other troops. The battle now raged; desperate bravery was shown on both sides. The Texans had to fight their way step by step. Now they gained a house, now only a room, but on they went, always advancing, always holding what they gained. Four days and five nights they struggled and still the town was not theirs. At last, through tremendous effort, they captured a priest's house that overlooked the public square. Here they were able to silence the cannon of the Mexicans. The victory was won!

Milam's Death.- The saddest of the misfortunes of the Texans was the death of brave Ben Milam. After three days, filled with daring deeds, he was killed December 7, while passing into the Veramendi House to give orders. On the spot, made sacred by his fall, he was buried.27 Col. Johnson succeeded to his command.

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Surrender of Cos.- During the first day of the attack, a red and black flag had floated from the Mexican quarters. This meant, Death to every Texan." But on the morning of the 9th, General Cos was forced to raise the white flag. General Burleson entered the city, and by two o'clock that night had all the conditions of the surrender arranged.28 They were as follows: I. Cos and his officers were allowed to depart with their arms and private property, on the promise that they would never oppose the return of Mexico to a purely Republican form of government, and never take up arms against Texas. 2. All convict soldiers were to be taken entirely out of Texas. 3. Those Mexican troops who wished to leave the army, or remain in San Antonio,

were to be permitted to do so. 4. All public property was to belong to the victors. The sick and wounded were given permission to remain, and food was furnished them.

Results. The Mexicans had more than one hundred and fifty killed and a large number wounded; the Texans had two killed and twenty-five or twenty-six wounded. Twenty-one pieces of artillery, five hundred muskets, and a large supply of army stores were taken by the Texans. When it is remembered that General Cos had about fourteen hundred men (he received reënforcements after the battle began), that he was well supplied with small arms. and cannon, it is indeed wonderful that so small a band of Texans should have been able to wrest. from him a town strongly fortified. The result most gladdening

to the hearts of the Texans was the fact that the withdrawal of Cos left their country free from the Mexican soldiery. On December 15, Burleson, leaving at the Alamo a garrison under the command of Colonel Johnson, returned home.

The Governor and the Council.- Governor Smith and the council had a difficult task in raising money to sustain the army and the government. The citizens of Texas had done all in their power, private parties in the United States had given liberally, yet such contributions were but drops compared with the ocean of expense that now deluged Texas. Archer, Austin, and Wharton were sent to the United States to obtain a loan. Arrangements were made to raise a regular army of one thousand one hundred and twenty men; there was to be one regiment of artillery and one of infantry. Each soldier who volunteered for two years was to receive, besides regular pay, six hundred and forty acres of land. Unfortunately Governor Smith and the Council

could not agree. The Council claimed powers that the Governor considered belonging to his department; neither would yield to the other. When Governor Smith vetoed a measure (and he several times thought it his duty so to do), the Council almost invariably thought it necessary to pass the bill over his veto.

The Council appointed officers against whom the Governor brought the gravest charges. The public men, the army, even the people, began to take up the quarrel, until it seemed that Texas would be destroyed by the strife of her own sons.

THE YEAR 1836

Quarrel Between Governor Smith and the Council.Early in January matters between the Governor and the Council came to a crisis. Now that Texas was free from Mexican soldiers the Council wished to carry the war across the border; they hoped for aid from the Liberal party in Mexico since they were fighting not for independence but for the Mexican Constitution of 1824. By sending an expedition against Matamoras, the Council hoped to win the state of Tamaulipas to their side and to enrich the treasury by the receipts of the custom-houses at Matamoras and Tampico.

The Governor had no confidence in the Mexicans, was opposed to the Matamoras expedition,29 favored a declaration of independence and looked for aid only from the United States.

On December 30,

The Matamoras Expedition. 1835, Dr. Grant 30 had orders from Colonel Johnson, then in command at San Antonio, to secure volunteers and to march from Béxar to Goliad, the object being an attack upon Matamoras. Colonel Johnson then hastened

to San Felipe to report to the Council and the Governor what he had done and to make further arrangements. He left Colonel James C. Neill in command. On January 3, the Council, in spite of Governor Smith's objections, agreed to the expedition and put Colonel Johnson in command. On January 6, for some reason now unknown Johnson declined the position. Colonel Fannin was then appointed and hastened to issue a call for volunteers wishing the invasion of Mexico to gather at San Patricio January 24 to January 27.

All at once Colonel Johnson changed his mind, decided to lead the expedition, was authorized so to do by the Council and sent out a notice that the whole volunteer army of Texas would march from San Patricio between Janury 25 and January 30. Here were two commanders ordered to lead the same expedition! General Houston complained to the Governor that he was being ignored as Commander-in-chief of the army, so on January 8, Governor Smith ordered Houston also to lead his army to the West.

Governor Smith's Letter.- Colonel Neill reported to General Houston from San Antonio that Dr. Grant, after raising volunteers for the Matamoras expedition, had taken provisions, clothing and ammunition stored in the fort for the Texas army. This left only a scanty garrison to hold Béxar and this garrison lacked even the necessaries of life. On January 6, Houston forwarded this news to the Governor. Then it was that Governor Smith lost all patience, and sent to the Council (January 9) a most scathing message,31 rebuking them for allowing "such outrages and declaring the Council adjourned till March I. On January 11, the Council suspended Governor Smith from office and decreed that LieutenantGovernor Robinson should act as governor. Smith re