The Struggle for Independence, I835-I836
the ramparts of the remaining three sides and prepared to defend themselves. Before the siege began in earnest there was a parley, an incident seldom mentioned. Some claim it was Bowie who solicited the parley; others maintain it was Santa Anna. Juan N. Seguin, who went to the Alamo with the Texans, testified that Santa Anna sent a white flag to demand the surrender of the garrison. Travis blamed Bowie for consenting to talk terms at all. Be that as it may, before the formal siege began there was a parley. The Texans were asked to surrender· unconditionally. To show their scorn, the Texans replied with a cannon shot. A red flag was raised over San Fernando Church as a token there would be no quarter given the Texans. Whatever differences may have arisen over the question of the parley and over the matter of a divided command-Bowie was still Colonel of Volunteers-were obviated by the sudden illness of Bowie, who was stricken with typhoid on February 24 and then pneumonia. Travis was, consequently, left in full command of regulars and volunteers alike for the rest of the siege. Travis sent Doctor Sutherland to Gonzalez with the first call for help, stating he had only one hundred fifty effective men. The following day was sent the second call, so well known by all Texans for its heroic ring: "I shall never surrender or retreat ... victory or death." Bonham was despatched the same day to Goliad, urgently beseeching Fannin to send reinforcements. On February 25 Santa Anna moved his quarters across the San Antonio, opposite the main entrance of the Alamo, to direct operations in person. A cold norther blew that day. The following morning the besiegers closed their circle tighter and kept up a heavy bombardment, under the protection of which they tried to cut the aqueduct that sup- plied the Texans with water. Bonham, who had returned, was sent to Goliad a second time (February 27) with a more emphatic appeal for help. The little garrison of some 1 50 was beginning to feel the strain of continuous fighting. Two days later the situation was desperate. The Mexican army had been receiving reinforcements daily, whereas the exhausted Texans, having sent for help to San Felipe, Gonzalez, and Goliad, received none. As the line was being drawn ever tighter, Travis sent Juan N. Seguin on February 29 to hurry up reinforcements. Scout John W. Smith successfully led into the Alamo a group of 32 men under Captains George C. Kimball and Albert Martin on March 1. These Texans from Gonzalez-fully aware that the Alamo was doomed, and that their small number could not tum the tide--
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