Immortal 32

As Santa Anna's army approached the Alamo February 19, 1836, William Travis dispatched John Johnson to Goliad for reinforcement from James Fannin.

He also dispatched John Smith and Dr. James Sutherland to Gonzales with a letter for the Alcade Andrew Ponton:[3]: 278 "The enemy in large force is in sight.

Lt. Col. Comdt.That night, Santa Anna sent General Ventura Mora's cavalry to encircle to the North and East corners of the Alamo to prevent the arrival of reinforcements.

[3] On February 24, Travis dispatched Albert Martin to Gonzales with a second letter for Andrew Ponton:[3]: 278 Commandancy of the Alamo, Bexar, Feby.

If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country.

He mobilized George Kimble, commander of the Texian Militia Gonzales Ranger[1] Company, who mustered his unit and waited for Fannin; who also received the first letter on February 24.

Smith informed colonists:[3]: 279 Fellow Citizens and Countrymen: The foregoing official communication from Colonel Travis, now in command at Bexar, needs no comment.

The garrison, composed of only 150 Americans, engaged in a deadly conflict with 1,000 of the mercenary troops of the Dictator, who are daily receiving reinforcements, should be a sufficient call upon you without saying more.

I call upon you as an officer, I implore you as a man, to fly to the aid of your besieged countrymen and not permit them to be massacred by a mercenary foe.

The call is upon ALL who are able to bear arms, to rally without one moment's delay, or in fifteen days the heart of Texas will be the seat of war.

Sir : In the present confusion of the political authorities of the country, and in the absence of the commander-in-chief, I beg leave to communicate to you the situation of this garrison.

We have contended for ten days against an enemy whose numbers are variously estimated at from fifteen hundred to six thousand men, with General Ramirez Sesma and Colonel Batres, the aid-de-camp, of Santa Anna, at their head.

A reinforcement of about one thousand men is now entering Bejar, from the west, and I think it more than probable that Santa Anna is now in town, from the rejoicing we hear.

A blood red banner waves from the church of Bejar, and in the camp above us, in token that the war is one of vengeance against rebels; they have declared us as such; demanded that we should surrender at discretion, or that this garrison should be put to the sword.

Their threats have had no influence on me or my men, but to make all fight with desperation, and that high souled courage which characterizes the patriot, who is willing to die in defence of his country's liberty and his own honor.

We have but three Mexican now in the fort : those who have not joined us, in this extremity, should be declared public enemies, and their property should aid in paying the expenses of the war.

A letter written by one of the thirty-two, Isaac Millsaps, details events inside the Alamo on the night before the final assault; its authenticity is disputed:[3][4] Morale is low tonight and many of the men have finished their joy at us, the "Immortal 32".

At the sight of us, many of the Texan Alamo defenders gave joy, and many sleep in peace tonight with the hope of new recruits coming tomorrow.

WE, the thirty-two are much hesitant to tell them of the fact of the Texan government being dispersed due to much talking and argument; Travis' letters of plea have met no audience, and none know of our plight.

[3]: 286-287 Sources[5][6] Other individual Texians who answered Travis' letter and died at the Alamo: Daniel Bourne, 26; George Brown, 35; Jerry C. Day, 20; Andrew Duvalt, 32; John Harris, 23; William J. Lightfoot, 25; Marcus L. Sewell, 31; Amos Pollard, 33 The origin of Immortal 32 is disputed.

Among its exhibits is The Immortal 32 Centennial Monument, a tall tapered shaft of pink Texas granite with a bronze sculpture by Raoul Josset.

[8] In Memory of the Immortal 32 Gonzales men and boys who, on March 1, 1836 fought their way into the beleaguered Alamo to die with Colonel William B. Travis for the Liberty of Texas.

Daniel Bourne, 26; George Brown, 35; Jerry C. Day, 20; Almaron Dickerson, 26; Andrew Duvalt, 32; John Harris, 23; Wm.

ON FEBRUARY 12, 1835, WILLIAM SUMMERS PETITIONED THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT FOR A LAND GRANT AND, ON MAY 1, 1835, HE RECEIVED TITLE TO A QUARTER LEAGUE SITUATED ON THE LAVACA RIVER IN THE DEWITT COLONY.

WILLIAM AND HENRY VOTED IN THE ELECTION HELD ON FEBRUARY 1, 1836 TO NAME DELEGATES TO THE TEXAS INDEPENDENCE CONVENTION THAT BEGAN ON MARCH 1, 1836 AT WASHINGTON-ON-THE-BRAZOS.