In 1836, Santa Anna, who was at that time President of Mexico, determined to invade Texas, and either drive the Americans out of the country, or crush out the spirit of independence which had broken out among them. Accordingly he set out for the Rio Grande, on the 1st of February of that year, at the head of seven thousand troops, and on the 27th of the same month, he marched into the city of San Antonio. The few Texas soldiers who were stationed in that city, retired across the river in good order, and took refuge in the Alamo. The Alamo, though strong, was not properly a fort, but a presidio or mission. It had been standing for nearly one hundred and fifty years, and had been the scene of many strange and interesting events. Here, Colonel Travis, with his small force of not more than one hundred and fifty men, determined to make a stand, and conquer or die. He had only eight cannon, and was greatly deficient in provisions and ammunition. When the enemy first appeared before the place, he had only ninety bushels of corn and thirty head of cattle. But the watch-word of the little band of heroes was "Victory, or death!" Santa Anna immediately demanded a surrender, which was answered by a shot from the fort. The enemy then hoisted the red flag, and commenced the attack. They erected a number of batteries, and for several days kept up a constant skirmishing. Travis and his little band frequently sallied out and met their assailants, whom they drove back with considerable loss. On the first of March, thirty-two gallant men, from Gonzales, forced their way into the Alamo, thus swelling the force of Travis to one hundred and eighty-eight. For several succeeding days, the contest was kept up with spirit on both sides, the Texans firing but seldom, in order to save their ammunition; and the Mexicans advancing their batteries nearer and nearer to the walls. Travis succeeded in sending out, through the enemy's lines, a last appeal to his country for help in this his terrible extremity, setting forth his position, and stating that if not soon reinforced, he and his men had solemnly determined to perish in the struggle. By the same courier he wrote to a friend in Washington county, the following affecting message : "Take care of my little boy. If the country is saved, I may make him a fortune. But if all is lost, and I shall perish, I will leave him nothing but the proud recollection, that he is the son of a man who died for his country."

Thus for one long week did this little band of heroes defend themselves against the overwhelming force of the enemy until they were completely worn down by constant watching and fighting. On Sunday morning, the 6th of March, Santa Anna determined to take the place by storm, and the Alamo was completely surrounded by the whole Mexican army. The infantry were placed in a circle nearest the fort, and the cavalry around them, so that not a single straggler might escape. At a given signal, the whole host advanced rapidly, under a tremendous fire from the Texans. Just at day-light, ladders were placed against the walls, and the soldiers began to climb up. But they were hurled down by the brave defenders within. Again the charge was sounded, and a second effort made to reach the top of the wall; but again the assailants were beaten back. For a few minutes there was a pause. A third attempt was made with more success. Some reached the top of the wall, wavered and fell; but their places were supplied by hundreds pressing up behind them on every ladder. At last, cut down, killed and wounded, the Texan defenders began to give way. Instantly the fort was filled with hundreds of infuriated murderers. The survivors within the walls, still continued the battle. They clubbed theiv guns, and with shouts and yells of defiance, fought from wall to wall, from room to room. Some few cried for quarter, but no quarter was given. Travis and Crockett fell with piles of dead Mexicans around them. Major Evans, in attemping to set fire to the magazine, was shot down. Colonel Bowie, who was sick in his bed, was murdered, and his body mangled. Maj. Dickinson, in attempting to leap from the wall with his child tied on his back, was instantly killed. Thus, one by one those noble heroes sold their lives; and by sunrise on that Sabbath morn, every one had perished, and all was still. But around there lay the dead bodies of over five hundred Mexicans, with an equal number of wounded.

The only survivors of this terrible conflict were Mrs. Dickinson, her child, a negro servant of Colonel Travis, and two Mexican women. The bodies of the Texans were stripped, mutilated, and then thrown into heaps and burnt.

As not one of all the defenders of the Alamo escaped, we shall never know the full particulars of that desperate struggle.

About a year after, their bones and ashes were collected, placed in a coffin, and buried with due solemnity. A small monument was made from the stones of the fortress in 1841, was purchased by the State, and now stands in the Capitol at Austin. But the most lasting monument of the heroes of the Alamo is found in the hearts of the countrymen, who will cherish their memory, and tell each succeeding generation the tale of their sufferings, their endurance, and their heroic end.

They fell unnoticed, but undying--

The very gales their names seem sighing.