The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 62, July 1958 - April, 1959 Page: 514

Southwestern Historical Quarterly

Centralism or rather military despotism, a government that is repug-
nant to the principals of free born Americans, we remonstrated and
sent commissioners, but we could not positively ascertain on account
of their treachery and deceit. They denied it and still they were
making preparations for it, but we were on the alert. I shall have
to state the situation of this place and also the town of Gonzales so
as to give a little information on the affair. This place is an ancient
Mexican fort & Town divided by a small river which eminates from
Springs. The town has two Squares in and the church in the centre,
one a military and the other a government square. The Alamo or
the fort as we call it, is a very old building, built for the purpose
of protecting the citizens from hostile Indians. The Mexican army
or rather part of them came to this place commanded by Martin
de Perfecto de Coss, a bold aspiring young General. The town of
Gonzales is about 78 miles below this place on the Warloupe [Guada-
lupe] river. The enemy (as I shall now call them) sent about 200
of their troops to Gonzales after a cannon that they sent there for
the use of the citizens to fight the indians. We then were aroused
and watched closely their movements. Volunteers was called for to
fight for their country I was one of the first that started, about 150
of us ready in a moments warning, and we marched to Gonzales and
put the enemy to flight they retreated to this place, we then con-
sidered it essentially necessary for the security of our peace to drive
them from this place, but we concluded to wait for reinforcements
as we were so few in number, and they in a fortified place but un-
fortunately for us they commenced fortifying the town and strengthen-
ing the alamo until it became almost impossible to. overcome them,
our number increased gradually to the amount of 8oo but on ac-
count of so many office seekers there was nothing but confusion, con-
tention and discord throughout the encampment, which was within
a half a mile of the place, for we came up to, endeavor to starve
them out. and on the 4th -day of December a retreat was ordered
to the satisfaction of many. but to the grief of a few brave souls
who was among the first that volunteered and who preferred Death
in the cause rather than such a disgraceful retreat. We rallied
around a brave soul (Colo M-ilam) and requested him to be our
leader, he consented and 150 of us declared to take the place or
die in the attempt, while a large number of them endeavored to
discourage us and said we would all be butchered, but a few more
seen we were resolute and joined untill our number was 22o, and
on the next morning about day break we marched in the town under
the heavy fires of their cannon & musketry, but we succeeded in getting
possession of some stone houses (which is outside of the square)
that sheltered us a little from their fires until we could make Breast-
works for ourselves we labored hard day and night for 5 days still
gaining possession when on the morning of the 5th day they sent

514