PAPERS OF :i\Im.\DE.\U Buo_ .\PAH'l'E L .uL\R 363 to be amon.,. the first and foremo t in torming and capturing the [7ar- ri on of Goliad. This beino- over, although he had been raised in the army of the United States, .and was accustomed and· qualified to com- mand, yet by way of example, he entered into the ranks, and cheer- fully discharged all the duties of a common soldier, until a few days prcviou to his final catastrophe. On the evening of the 4th of De- cember last, he stepped forth froµi the ranks, and beat up for volun- teers to storm the ca tle of San Antonio. His call was not unattended to. A Leonida band of about three hundred pla-ced themselves under his command, and on the night of the 5th of December, they entered the town to attack a garrison of more than five times their own num- bers, who were also protected by forts, walls, house , ditches. and twenty pieces of artillery. They entered the town, however, with the determination of soldiers, '' to conquer or to die.'' "Firm paced and slow, a fearless front they formed, Still as the breeze, but dreadful as tl1e storm." For six successive days and nights, did they grapple with the enemy. The life of their dauntless leader, was the price of his triumph. Yes, he was destined, like Wolfe arid Pike, "to sleep the sleep of death in the arms of victory."
'' Oft shall the soldier think of thee; Thou dauntless leader of the brave, Who on the heights of tyrariny, Won Freedom-and a glorious grave. And o'er thy tomb shall pilgrims weep, And utter prayers in murmurs low, That peaceful be the m~ro's sleep Who conquer'd San Antonio. Enshrin 'd on honor's deathless scroll, A nation's thanks shall tell thy fame, Long as her beauteous rivers roll, _Shall Freedom's yotaries hymn thy name."•
Of the other unconquerable spirits who perished in the late massacre at San Antonio, it would seem invidious not to speak. The gallant Travis ·was cut off in the :flower of his life. He was accomplished and dignified in his deportment, and collegiately and legally educated. B0wie is a name that was synonymous with all that was manly and indomitable in the character of man. Col. Bonham was a native of South Carolina, he lately acted as aid to Governor Hamilton, and has not left a more chivalrous gentleman behind him. Of Col. David Crocket, it is unnece sary here to speak. He ,vas known, at least by chara-cter, to all of u . Suffice it to say, that although the world ha.s been often amused with his innocent eccenticitie , no one has ever denied to him, the character of a firm and honest man-qualities which •New-York Spirit or the Times. [Note In document].
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