The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 37, July 1933 - April, 1934 Page: 37
330 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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A Critical Study of the Siege of the Alamo
Finally, the place remained in the power of the Mexicans, and
.all the defenders were killed. It is a source of deep regret, that
after the excitement of the combat, many acts of atrocity were
.allowed which are unworthy of the gallantry and resolution with
which this operation had been executed, and stamp it with an
indelible stain in the annals of history. These acts were reproved
at the time by those who had the sorrow to witness them, and
subsequently by the whole army, who certainly were not habitually
animated by such feelings, and 'who heard with disgust and
horror, as becomes brave and generous Mexicans who feel none but
noble and lofty sentiments, of certain facts which I forebear to
mention, and wish for the honor of the Mexican Republic had
never taken place.
In our opinion the blood of our soldiers as well as that of the
enemy was shed in vain, for the mere gratification of the inconsid-
erate, purile, and guilty vanity of reconquering Bexar by force
of arms, and through a bloody contest. As we have said, the
,defenders of the Alamo, were disposed to surrender, upon the sole
condition that their lives should be spared. Let us even grant
that they were not so disposed- what could the wretches do, being
surrounded by 5,000 men, without proper means of resistance, no
possibility of retreating, nor any hope of receiving proper and
sufficient reinforcements to compel the Mexicans to raise the siege?
Had they been supplied with all the resources needed, that weak
,enclosure could not have withstood for one hour the fire of our
twenty pieces of artillery which if properly directed would have
-crushed it to atoms and levelled down the inner buildings. .
The massacres of the Alamo, of Goliad, of Refugio, convinced the
rebels that no peacable settlement could be expected, and that they
must conquer, or die, or abandon the fruits of ten years of sweat
and labor, together with their fondest hopes for the future.76
Here, Filisola has expressed in a few eloquent words, the chief
reason why the men of the Alamo fought till the last drop of life-
blood was spent. "They knew they must conquer, or die, or
abandon the fruits of ten years of sweat and labor, together with
their fondest hopes for the future."
Then, there is Santa Anna's report to the Mexican war depart-
mnent which, although false in many respects, delineates, unwit-
stingly, an engagement of thrilling heroism on the part of the
Texans:
Most Excellent Sir: Victory belongs to the army which at this
very moment, 8 o'clock a. m. achieved a complete and glorious
triumph that will render its memory imperishable.
"Vicente Filisola, Guerra de Tejas, 4-19.
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Texas State Historical Association & Barker, Eugene C. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 37, July 1933 - April, 1934, periodical, 1934; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101094/m1/45/?rotate=270: accessed May 5, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.