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"From the recollection of the locality, as I viewed it in 1841, I could trace in 1860 the extent of the outer walls, which had been demolished about thirteen years before the latter period. The dimensions here given are taken from actual measurements then made, and accompanying diagram gives correct outlines, though without aiming at close exactitude of scale. The figure A in the diagram represents the chapel of the fort, seventy-five feet long, sixty-two wide, and twenty-two and a half high, with walls of solid masonry four feet thick. It was originally of but one story, and if it then had any windows below, they were probably walled up when the place was prepared for defense. B locates a platform in the east end of the chapel; C designates its door, and D marks a wall fifty feet long and about twelve feet high, connecting the chapel with the long barrack E, E. The latter was a stone house of two stories, one hundred and eighty-six feet long, eighteen feet wide, and eighteen feet high. F, F is a low one-story stone house barrack one hundred and fourteen feet long and seventeen feet wide, having in the center a porte cochère, S, which passed through it under the roof. The walls of these two houses were about thirty inches thick, and they had flat terrace roofs of beams and plank, covered with a thick coat of cement. G, H, I, K were flat-roofed, stone-walled rooms, built against the inside of the west barrier. L, L, L, L, denote barrier walls, enclosing an area one hundred and fifty-four yards long and fifty-four wide, with the long barrack on the east and the low barrack on the south of it. These walls were two and threequarters feet thick, and from nine to twelve feet high, except the strip which fronted the chapel, that being only four feet in height. This low piece of wall was covered by an oblique intrenchment, marked R, and yet to be described, which ran from the southwest angle of the chapel to the east end of the low barrack. M marks the place of a palisade gate at the west end of the intrenchment. The small letters (n) locate the doors of several rooms, which opened upon the large area. Most of those doors had, within, a semicircular parapet for the use of marksmen, composed of a double curtain of hides, upheld by stakes and filled in with rammed earth. Some of the rooms were also loop-holed. O, O mark barrier walls, from five to six feet high and two and three-quarters

thick, which enclosed a smaller area north of the chapel and east of the long barrack. P designates a cattle-yard east of the barrack and north of the small area; it was enclosed by a picket-fence. Q shows the locality of a battered breach in the north wall.

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"The above described fort-if it merited that name was, when the siege commenced, in the condition for defense in which it had been left by the Mexican general, Cos, when he capitulated. . . The chapel, except at the west end and north projection, had been unroofed, the east end being occupied by the platform of earth, B, twelve feet high, with a slope for ascension to the west. On its level were mounted three pieces of cannon. One (1) a twelve-pounder, pointed east through an embrasure roughly notched in the wall; another (2) was aimed north through a similar notch, and another (3) fired over the wall to the south. High scaffolds of wood enabled marksmen to use the top of the roofless wall as a parapet. The intrenchment (R) consisted of a ditch and breastwork, the latter of earth packed between two rows of palisades, the outer being higher than the earth. Behind it and near the gate was a battery of four guns (4, 5, 6, 7), all four-pounders, pointing south. The porte cochère through the low barrack was covered on the outside by a lunette of stockades of earth, mounted with two guns (8, 9). In the southwest angle of the large area was an eighteen-pounder (10), in the center of the west wall a twelvepound carronade (11), and in the northwest corner of the same area an eight-pounder (12), and east of this, within the north wall, two more guns of the same calibre (13, 14). All guns of this area were mounted on high platforms of stockades and earth, and fired over the walls. The several barriers were covered on the outside with a ditch, except where such guard was afforded by the irrigating canal which flowed on the east and west sides of the fort, and served to fill the fosse with water."(Colonel R. M. Potter's Account, Magazine of American History.)

35. The Flag.- As Texas had not yet declared herself independent of Mexico, they still fought under the Mexican flag. This design was a tri-colored banner bearing two stars, which were to represent the "Twin States," Texas and Coahuila. This was called the federal flag of 1824.

36. Dr. Garrison says: "As the defense of the Alamo is the most heroic event in American history, so, as the writer of this volume believes, is the letter in which Travis announced the opening of the siege the most heroic document among American historical records." "Texas," p. 207.

37. Good Cheer. Yet, in spite of all this, the spirits of our men were not cast down. Crockett was a good violinist, and often played to cheer the weary soldiers. Travis writes, in one of his last letters: "I am still here, in fine spirits and well to do. I shall continue to hold the fort till I get relief from my countrymen, or I will perish in its defense. Take care of my little boy. If the country be saved, I may make him a splendid fortune; but if the country be lost and I should perish, he will have nothing but the proud recollection that he is the son of a man who died for his country."

38. General Cos, in spite of his solemn promise never to bear arms against Texas, was one of Santa Anna's officers.

39. The Only Survivors of the Alamo were Mrs. Dickinson, her infant daugter, Mrs. Allsbury and child, of San Antonio, a Mexican woman, and a negro servant. Mrs. Dickinson tells the following story: "After the struggle had lasted some time, my husband rushed into the church where I was with my little daughter, and exclaimed: 'Great God, Sue, the Mexicans are inside our walls; all is lost. If they spare you, save my child.' Then, with a parting kiss, he drew his sword and plunged into the strife. Soon after he left me, three unarmed gunners came into the church and were shot down by my side. Just then a Mexican officer came in, and asked me in English: 'Are you Mrs. Dickinson?' I answered, 'Yes.' 'Then,' said he, ‘If you wish to save your life, follow me.' I followed him, and, although shot at and wounded, was spared."— MORPHIS.

40. The Loss of the Mexicans is not known. Santa Anna reported 70 killed and 300 wounded, while Alcalde Ruiz, who was in charge of the burial of the Mexican dead, wrote that Santa Anna lost 1,600 men.

41. For the Declaration of Independence, see page 163.

42. Travis's Letter.- On Sunday, March 6, the last letter written by Travis was received. The Convention met, and the president read the message. All were deeply touched. One

member sprang to his feet and moved that the members of the Convention arm themselves, and immediately march to Travis's relief. Houston opposed this. He claimed that the first duty of the Convention was to establish a government, and adopt a constitution, and that fifty-six men -the number of members — could do nothing toward cutting a passage through Santa Anna's ranks. He promised that he himself would at once start for San Antonio. His eloquence carried the day, but before he could collect troops and secure the means for relieving the Alamo it was too late.

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43. Cabinet. The men who composed President Burnet's first cabinet were: Samuel P. Carson, Secretary of State; Bailey Hardeman, Secretary of Treasury; Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of War; Robert Potter, Secretary of the Navy, and David Thomas, Attorney-General. Five of these six, including Burnet, have counties in this State named in their honor.

He met his death

44. Fannin was the last to be sacrificed. with unflinching courage, as, indeed, did all the little band. He made three requests of the Mexican officers: that his watch might be sent to his wife, that he might be shot in the breast, and that his body might be given Christian burial. He was promised all he asked; but the watch remained in the officer's pocket, Fannin was shot in the head, and his body left unburied.

45. Col. Garay, an officer in the Mexican army, generously saved three physicians and a few of Fannin's men by concealing them in his tent during the massacre. Senora Alvarez, the wife of one of Urrea's officers, was also exceedingly kind to the prisoners, and succeeded in releasing more than one poor Texan. Dr. Barnard and Dr. Shackelford have written interesting accounts of the Battle of the Coleto and of the massacre.

46. Other Reading. See Mrs. Kate Scurry Terrell's “The Runaway Scrape," Scarff's Comprehensive History of Texas, p. 669. Also Mrs. Harris' experiences in the "Texas Historical Quarterly."

47. Erastus or Deaf Smith rendered the Texan army great service during the entire revolution. As a guide and a spy he was without a superior. He took part in nearly every important battle during the war, and always distinguished himself by his coolness, silence, and bravery.

48: Numbers Engaged.- Most authorities now agree that Houston had less than eight hundred men and Santa Anna about 1,250 men.

49. Commanders.- The extreme left was commanded by Colonel Sidney Sherman, the center by Colonel Edward Burleson; on the right was placed the artillery under Colonel George Hockley; next came four companies of infantry under Lieutenant-Colonel Millard, and then the 61 cavalrymen under Colonel Mirabeau Lamar.

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50. Sherman, leading the charge, uttered the famous cry: Remember the Alamo." The Texans' fife and drum played "Will you come to the Bower?"

51. Conversation Between Houston and Santa Anna.— An eye-witness to the meeting between Santa Anna and Houston has reported their conversation, of which the following is an abbreviated account: Santa Anna: "It devolves upon you to be generous to the vanquished." Houston: "You should have remembered that at the Alamo." Santa Anna: "It was justified by the usage of war. They had refused to surrender; the place was taken by storm; the usage of war justifies the slaughter of the vanquished!" Houston: “That custom is now obsolete; civilized nations have grown more humane." Santa Anna: "But I was acting under the orders of my government." Houston: "You were the government of Mexico; a Dictator, sir, has no superiors." Santa Anna: "I have orders, General Houston, to exterminate every man found in arms in Texas, and to treat all such as pirates. They have no government, and are fighting under no recognized flag." Houston: "The Texans flatter themselves they have a government, and they will probably be able to make a flag. What excuse have you to offer for the massacre at Goliad? They had capitulated on terms offered by your general, and yet were perfidiously massacred." Santa Anna: "I declare to you, General, I did not know they had surrendered. General Urrea informed me he had conquered them: hence I ordered their execution. If the day ever comes when I get Urrea into my hands, I will execute him for his falsehood." It is needless to say the last remark of Santa Anna contained not a grain of truth.

52. President Andrew Jackson wrote thus to General Houston: "I take the liberty of offering a remark or two upon a

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