Description:

SIEGE OF THE ALAMO
Newspaper, the "Exeter News-Letter", Apr. 12, 1836, 4pp. folio, a newspaper published in Exeter, New Hampshire and containing numerous domestic and international news items. Of these, the most historically interesting is the reprinting of a dispatch dated Feb. 25 and written by WILLIAM B. TRAVIS (1809-1836) to SAM HOUSTON (1793-1863), apprising the latter of the situation of the defenders of the Alamo, and requesting reinforcements. In part: "On the 23d Feb., the enemy in large force, entered the city of Bejar... Col. Batres, Adj. Major of President General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot... During the action, the enemy kept up a continual bombardment, and discharge of balls, grape and canister. We know, from observation, that many of the enemy were killed and wounded- while we, on our part, have not lost a man... I take great pleasure in stating, that both officers and men, conducted themselves with firmness and bravery... The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty... Our numbers are few, and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force, very soon. But I shall hold out to the last extremity; hoping to receive reinforcements in a day or two... If they overpower us- we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope posterity and our country will do our memory justice..." This letter differs from Travis' famous open letter, "To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World", in that it provides a much more specific picture of the strategic situation faced by the defenders of the Alamo, although both letters close with Travis' exhortation: "Victory or Death!" Mexican forces overcame the Texan defenders on March 6, and all were killed. Minor horizontal tears along folds, which have been repaired with cello tape, else very good.

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May 25, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
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