Dickenson, and a colored servant of Col. Travis, were the only persons in the fort whose lives were spared. The bodies of the slain were thrown into a heap in the center of the Alamo and burned. On Col. Bowie's body being brought out Gen. Cos remarked that he was too brave a man to be burned like a dog-then added "never mind, throw him in." Immediately after the fall of the Alamo, Gen. Santa Anna sent Mrs. Dickenson and Col. Travis's servant to Gen. Houston's camp, accompanied by a Mexican with a flag who bore a note from Santa Anna offering the Texans peace and a general amnesty if they would lay down their arms and submit to his Government. Gen. Houston's reply was "True, sir you, have succeeded in killing some of our brave men, but the Texans are not yet whipped." Some time previous to this Colonel Fannin had been sent to La Bahia to raise volunteers in order, if he deemed it practicable, to proceed against Matamoras. While raising these volunteers he was attacked at La Bahia by an army of Mexicans and forced to retreat. He was however overtaken and surrounded by the Mexicans, about nine miles from La Bahia on the Victoria road; and, after most bravely and gallantly defending himself for several hours, he at length surrendered himself and army as prisoners of war. The army was then taken back to La Biha, and there condemned to be shot. A few of the soldiers succeeded in breaking through the ranks and escaped: the remainder were massacred on the 19th of March. On hearing of the fall of the Alamo and the massacre of Fannin's troops, the whole country was plunged in confusion and dismay. A universal panic seemed to overspread the land. There were not troops in the country except the small army commanded by Gen. Houston. All was dark and gloomy; we had naught to encourage us except the generous sympathy which our brethren in the United States of the North had manifested for us, and the hopes of assistance from them. General Houston, not wishing to jeopardize the country by risking an engagement with the enemy at Gonzales, instantly ordered a retreat tothe Colorado river. All of the families west of the Colorado fled eastward with great haste. The Texan forces set fire lo Gonzales previous lo leaving le place and burnt it to the ground, in order to prevent the Mexicans from reaping any advantage from any place they might find there. On arriving on
283
Powered by FlippingBook