of
which Texas formed a part, and was doing his utmost to destroy the
Federal system and to consolidate all power in the central
government at the capitol city. Against this movement the Texans
warmly protested. Young and ardent, and just from the United
States, Mr. Travis naturally sympathized in feeling with the Texans.
early in the beginning of hostilities we find him a chosen and willing
leader. When the war actually began and Santa Anna invaded Texas
at the head of four thousand men and marched upon San Antonio in
the beginning of 1836, we find Colonel W. B. Travis in command at
this point. Santa Anna's advanced columns reached the heights of
the Alazan, which overlooked the city of San Antonio, on the 22d of
February. Colonel Travis had only one hundred and forty-four men,
and with these he retired into the Alamo. As soon as Santa Anna
occupied the city he demanded the surrender of the garrison. The
demand was reponded to by a cannon shot, for Colonel Travis knew
too well the treacherous nature of his foe, and he believed that a
surrender would be followed by a massacre. There were fourteen
cannons in the Fort, but only a small supply of powder.
Immediately after receiving the answer to his summons for
surrender, Santa Anna ran up a blood-red flag, proclaiming "No
Quarter"!
