Washington.
The message was to the following purport: “I am still here, in fine
spirits and well to do. With one hundred and forty-five men I have
held this place ten days against a force variously estimated at from
1,500 to 6,000; and I shall continue to hold it until I get relief from
my countrymen, or I will perish in its defence. We have had a
shower of cannon balls continuously falling among us the whole
time, yet none of us have fallen. We have been miraculously
preserved."
During that day, Colonel Bonham, who had been sent to
Goliad to secure re-inforcements, returned and gave his assistance
once more to the defence of the fort. That night the Texans again
made a sally but effected nothing. The Mexicans continued heavy
firing, but the defenders of the fort fired but seldom, as their
ammunition was scarce. The fourth of March wore heavily away
without change in the situation; but the beseiged knew that, unless
some great and miraculous assistance came to them, they were
doomed to a speedy and bloody death. Santa Anna grew tired of the
seige and urged upon the council of officers, which he had called, the
necessity of making a speedy assault. They wanted to wait until the
arrival of the heavy seige guns. He chafed under the delay and
finally his wish prevailed. The fort
