Gonzales County Texas. Mexican War. TNGenNet Inc. TNGenWeb, Letters From Forgotten Ancestors

We are indebted to a gentleman who arrived in this place from New Orleans, jut as our papers were going to press for the intelligence of the fall of San Antonio -- which is contained in the following letter from Gen. Houston.

To: T.W. Fanning, Commander at Goliad
From: Sam Houston
Date: March 11, 1836
Subject: The Fall of San Antonio

Head Quarters, Gonealez
March 11, 1836

To T.W. Fanning, Commander at Goliad:

Sir-
        Upon my arrival here this afternoon, the following intelligence was received through an American, supposed to be friendly, which, however has been contradicted in some of its parts by another, who arrived with him. It is therefor given to you as rumor, though I feel a melancholy portion of it is true. Anselmo Birgurd states that he left the Alamo (the Fort of San Antonio) on Sunday, the 6th inst., and is now three days from Aroaches Raniho, that the Alamo was attacked on Sunday at dawn of day, by about 2300 men, and was carried a short time before sun-rise, with a lost of 520 Mexicans killed and as many wounded.

        Col. Travis, had only 150 effective men, out of his whole force of 187. After the fort was carried seven men called for General Santa Ana and for quarters; they were murdered by his orders!!! Col. Bowie was sick in bed and also murdered. - The enemy expect reinforcements of 1600 men under General Condilla, and 1500 reserved to follow them. He also states that Ugartichean had arrived with two million of dollars for the payment of troops, etc.

        The bodies of the Americans were burned after the massacre -- alternate layers of wood and bodies were laid and set on fire. Lieut. Dickinson, who had a wife and child in the fort, after having fought with desperate courage, tied the child to his back and leaped from the top of a two story building; both were killed in the fall. I have but little doubt that the Alamo has fallen. Whether the above particulars are true is questionable, you are therefore referred to enclosed orders.

Sam Houston

P.S.
The wife of Lieut. Dickinson is in the possession of one of the Officers of Gen. Santa Ana. The men, as you perceive, fought gallantly. And in corroboration of the fall of the Alamo, I have ascertained that Col. Travis intended firing signal guns a t three different periods each day, until succor should arrive. No signal guns have been heard since Sunday, and a scouting party have just returned, who approached within twelve miles of the fort and remained 48 hours.