The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 21, Number 1, November 1985 Page: 74
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74 THE TEXAS GULF HISTORICAL & BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
ing upon the friends of liberty for aid, she goes forth undismayed, to meet
the giant strength of Mexico combined. - Her call for aid, has been heard
throughout the Mississippi valley, and along the whole Atlantic coast, and
has been fully answered. Soldiers, arms, ammunition and treasure have
poured into Texas from all quarters; and in number and quantity, equal
to the exigency of the case. Texas has gloriously triumphed. The invading
foe has been completely routed - her first campaign is ended, and not a
hostile band is found upon her soil.
* * * * * * *
Second Campaign
The second campaign commenced much sooner than was generally ex-
pected. It was believed by the Texians, that after the complete and signal
overthrow of the Mexican forces in the first campaign, Santa Anna would
not be able to raise another invading army, and make his appearance in
Texas, before midsummer.,In this, they were mistaken. Santa Anna, believing
that the stability of his own government depended upon a vigorous prose-
cution of the war, by extraordinary exertions, raised an army of five thou-
sand men, and by forced marches was enabled to make his appearance in
Texas about the twentieth of February. This early and unexpected appearance
of an invading army, accounts for the fact, that the Texians were so illy
prepared for their reception.
On the twenty-third of February, Santa Anna, who, contrary to general
expectation, commanded in person, appeared before the town of San
Antonio, at the head of the advanced division of his army, amounting to
a thousand men. At this time, less than two thousand Texians were in arms
in the whole province. Of these, only a hundred and fifty men, under the
command of Col. W. B. Travis, were stationed at San Antonio - five
hundred men, under Col. Fanning [sic] were at Goliad, a hundred and twenty-
five miles to the south; and one thousand men, under Gen. Houston, at
Gonzales, sixty miles to the east of this position.
San Antonio de Bexar is situated on a branch of the San Antonio river,
which is here but a small stream, that can easily be crossed by slight wooden
bridges. Most of the dwelling houses are on the west side of the river, but
the fort is on the east side. This fort, called the Alamo, or Elm Tree fort,
covers two acres of ground, and is surrounded by a thick stone wall,
twenty feet high. Its position was injudiciously selected. It is situated in a
valley, having elevated positions in the rear, from which balls may be thrown
directly into the fort. It may therefore, be deemed an indefensible fortress.[Vol. XXI, No. 1
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Texas Gulf Historical Society. The Texas Gulf Historical and Biographical Record, Volume 21, Number 1, November 1985, periodical, November 1985; Beaumont, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1433656/m1/76/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Gulf Historical Society.