By O. Scott Dunbar, KSJ Dateline Alamo: March 1, 1836: Thirty-two men from Gonzales, arrive at the Alamo at 3 a.m.
March 2, 1836: Texas Independence is declared at Washington- on-the-Brazos. Sam Houston issues a broadside: 'War is raging. Bejar is besieged by two thousand of the enemy, our force in Bejar was only one hundred and fifty men strong. The citizens of Texas must rally. The enemy must be driven from our soil, Independence is declared, it must be maintained. Immediate action, united with valor. The services of all are forthwith required in the field.”
SAM HOUSTON, Commander-in-Chief of the Army.
March 3, 1836: James B. Bonham, having failed to convince Fannin to come to the aid of the Alamo defenders, rides through the Mexican lines and enters the Alamo at 11 a.m. More troops begin arriving, bringing Santa Anna's troop strength to 2,400 men and ten artillery pieces.
Mexican victory at San Patricio (37 Texans killed) and a second red flag is now hoisted. Just before midnight John W. Smith leaves the Alamo with a dispatch from Travis and letters from the men. “Take care of my little boy.” Travis writes.
March 4, 1836: Santa Anna calls a meeting of his officers to discuss whether the time has come to take the Alamo by force.
March 5, 1836: By 2 p.m. Santa Anna completes his plan to attack the Alamo at 4 a.m. on March 6.
March 5, 1836: Mexican fire breaks off about 5 p.m. and several columns of Mexican troops are seen leaving town. It is on this afternoon that Travis is said to have drawn his line in the sand, according to Mrs. Dickinson.
March 6, 1836: Just after 5 a.m. Santa Anna's troops charged the Alamo. Twice the attacks are repulsed. Santa Anna calls in his reserves, Deguello is sounded and the North Wall is breached. Travis dies on the North Wall. Crockett falls defending the Palisade on the Southside. Bowie dies inside the main structure or the low barracks. The last of the fighting is fierce hand-to-hand combat in the long barracks. Whether or not prisoners are taken, all defenders are killed. The noble stand of these brave men became the rallying cry for the Texas Revolution as the cry of 'Remember the Alamo' will echo across Texas in the days to come.
Come join me at 5a.m. March 6th in front of the Alamo for dawn services to 'Remember the Alamo.