General Houston instantly issued a proclamation calling for volunteers; the following is a copy of his proclamation, and will serve still further to exhibit the distressing situation of the country at this time:
[Houston Army Orders, March 2, 1836]
The proclamations of Governor Smith and General Houston were answered by the people, one and all, appearing at Gonzales without delay. A company had, previous to this, made an attempt to gain admission into Col. Travis' company, but the place was so completely surrounder by Mexicans that their attempts proved futile; and finding it impossible to render Travis any assistance, they came to Gonzales in obedience to the call of Gen. Houston. Ever since the 23rd of February, the little garrison at San Antonio consisting of one hundred Texans, had been closely besieged by about two thousand of the enemy's troops commanded by Santa Anna. Several hundred of the Mexicans had been killed without any loss having been sustained on the part of the Texans, when the brave commander at the Alamo, Col. Travis, addressed the following letter to the President of the Convention:
[Travis to Convention, March 3, 1836]
About twelve o'clock on the night of the sixth of March, the entire Mexican force commanded by Santa Anna, the Bonaparte of Mexico, attacked the Alamo. The little band of Texan heroes bravely defended the fort until daylight, at which time but seven of them were found alive; These cried for quarter, but were told there was no mercy for them. When their demand for quarter was refused they gallantly defended themselves and continued fighting until all were butchered. Colonel Travis, on whose head a price was set, when wounded and dying was attacked by a Mexican officer who seemed intent on "striking the body of the dead," mustering his fast waning strength for one last brave deed the undaunted Travis met and plunged his sword in the. breast of the savage Mexican, and they fell, the victor with the victim, to rise no more. Col. Bowie who had been confined for some time by sickness was murdered in his bed. One woman, Mrs.
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