Today [This article was emailed to PINM on March 6th] marks the 179th anniversary of the fall of the Alamo. It's 200 defenders came from every walk of life and represented everything that makes the United States great. They were searching for a better life and they believed they had found it the Mexican province of Texas. As time passed Mexico would stray more and more from its constitution of 1824 with the Texans and a powerful central government replaced it. As most Americans have always been opposed to such, a decision was made to establish an independent Texas.

 

 

For 13 days the Alamo held, under siege from a force of 1,800 Mexican soldiers. The beleaguered defenders waited for reinforcements, reinforcements that never arrived. The final fighting began in the early morning hours of March 6th. Of the 200 defenders there where no survivors. It would cost the Mexican forces under Santa Anna some 600 causalities.

 

 

Texas would win its freedom at San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. In time, Texas would join the United States and the ensuing Mexican-American War would see the United States grow from coast to coast and fulfill the dreams of the founding fathers.

 

In honor, here is an incredible letter from the Alamo's commander, William B. Travis:

 

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Commandancy of the The Alamo

 

Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836

 

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—

 

Fellow Citizens & compatriots—

 

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country — Victory or Death.

 

William Barrett Travis.

Lt. Col. Comdt.

 

P. S. The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

 

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