The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 37, July 1933 - April, 1934 Page: 25

A Critical Study of the Siege of the Alamo

Along with these letters from Travis, John W. Smith carried many
others from the men in the ranks to their friends and relatives.
Indeed this day, March 3, was a momentous day for the men of
the Alamo. On it their last messenger went out to plead for help,
and the last messenger from the outside world came in to them,
for it was on this day that the loyal Bonham came into the fort
to die with his friend.58
musquetry, and they took to their scrapers (sic) immediately. They
are now encamped in entrenchments on all sides of us.
All our couriers have gotten out without being caught and a company
of 32 men from Gonzales got in two nights ago, and Colonel Bonham
got in today by coming between the powder house and the enemy's upper
encampment. . . . Let the Convention go on and make a declaration
of independence, and we will then understand, and the world will under-
stand, what we are fighting for. If independence is not declared, I
shall lay down my arms, and so will the men under my command. But
under the flag of independence, we are ready to peril our lives a hun-
dred times a day, and to drive away the monster who is fighting us
under a blood-red flag, threatening to murder all prisoners and make
Texas a waste desert. I shall have to fight the enemy on his own terms,
yet I am ready to do it, and if my countrymen do not rally to my re-
lief, I am determined to perish in the defense of this place, and my
bones shall reproach my country for her neglect. With 500 men more,
I will drive Sesma beyond the Rio Grande, and I will visit vengeance
on the enemy of Texas whether invaders or resident Mexican enemies.
All the citizens of this place that have not joined us are with the enemy
fighting against us. Let the government declare them public enemies,
otherwise she is acting a suicidal part. I shall treat them as such,
unless I have superior orders to the contrary. My respects to all
friends, confusion to all enemies. God bless you.
Yours truly
W. Barret Travis.
"John Henry Brown, writing for the Farm and Ranch, May 15, 1889,
and a few other writers who follow Brown as authority, give a very
dramatic account of Bonham's *entrance ,into the Alamo on March 3. In
substance these writers say, "Accompanied by Samuel A. Maverick and
John W. Smith, Bonham came to the heights overlooking San Antonio
and saw that the Alamo was doomed. Smith and Maverick, deeming
it suicidal to seek entrance, urged Bonham to retire with them; but he
sternly refused, saying that he would make his report to Travis or die
in the attempt. So on a cream-white horse, with a white handkerchief
in his hat-a sign agreed upon by him and Travis-he dashed through
the Mexican lines. . . . the gates of the Alamo flew open wide and
he entered. . . . entered to leave no more."
This account produces a vexing problem. Before discussing it let me
state my own conclusions concerning Bonham's movements. In my judg-
ment he was twice a courier to Fannin. On the first trip he left the
Alamo on February 16, and returned on the 23rd. On the second trip
he left the Alamo on the 27th, went first to Goliad, then to Gonzales,
and re-entered the Alamo on March 3. Now to the evidence: John W.
Smith piloted the Gonzales contingent into the Alamo on March 1, and
he carried out Travis's last message, after nightfall, on March 3. All
authorities, Brown, History of Texas, I, 582, included, agree that John