James Bonham road his horse hard from the fort in Goliad, The young attorney and lieutenant in the Texian Calvary had bad news to share with his fellow Texians at the Alamo…help wouldn’t be coming. Fannin wasn’t willing to share his soldiers or weapons to defend the Alamo from the enormous Mexican army. The army, led by Antonio de Padua María Severino López de Santa Anna y Pérez de Lebrón (Santa Anna,) had arrived in San Antonio with 1500 troops February 23, 1836. William B. Travis, now in complete charge of the Alamo had sent numerous letters requesting assistance from Sam Houston and others in the state. Unfortunately the response wasn’t good. There would not be any help forthcoming from Fannin and although men were on their way to help from America and across Texas, they were still too far to be of any assistance. Many Tejanos and Anglo settlers moved into the Alamo at the approach of the Mexican Army. It was assumed this would be the strongest area of defense and the safest for the families of the settlers that chose to remain and fight.
Jim Bowie had fallen ill after a skirmish with the Mexican Army and was no longer able to co-command with Travis. Bowie was confined to his bed during the final days of the Alamo. Leadership now fell solely on the shoulders of Travis. Legend has it that when Bonham shared the news that Fannin wouldn’t provide any support, Travis called his men for a group meeting. Jim Bowie had the men carry his litter into what was going to be one of the most inspirational events in Texas history. According to Robert Hollmann’s biography, Jim Bowie: Frontier Legends, Travis shared with the men the news that Bonham had imparted to him earlier. He told his men that the fight was no longer a fight to live this was going to be a fight to the death. He told his men that the longer they were able to defend the Alamo and engage Santa Anna’s soldiers in battle, the longer the Texian army had to build its forces to end Santa Anna’s oppression and gain Texas Independence. This blogmeister can imagine what was said next and am using my imagnination to recreate what was said:
“Men, today we are not fighting for victory. We are outnumbered. We know the Alamo will fall. I choose to remain and fight to the death. Because we fight today, the people of Texas will know of our sacrifice and there will be a call to arms like no other. You cannot be blamed if you choose to leave. Those of you that make that choice be assured that those who stay will hold no grudge, carry our stories with you…tell it to those who listen…Texians will not bend to oppression…we died for liberty.”
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| Coloniel William B. Travis |
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| Travis's Line |
The legend states that after making a speech to his men, Colonel William B. Travis pulled his sword and drew a line in the earth in front of the men. He then said, “Those of you who wish to stay with me and fight for Texas Independence…cross the line.” (Hollman) One by one the men stepped across. Bowie requested that his litter be carried so he too could join the men on the other side of the line. Only one man chose not to cross. Was he a coward? Some might say yes…others might say that Louis Rose aka Moses Rose had no stake in the battle that this wasn’t the former Napoleonic soldier’s fight. What we do know is that Rose left the Alamo the night before the final assault under the cover of darkness. No other man (including slave), woman, or child made their escape that night.
Next time…The fall of the Alamo
