get together about two thousand men, of whom nearly two-thirds had to be left to garrison the forts of Goliad and Alamo.  In the first named place we left seven hundred and sixty men, under the command of Fanning; in the latter, something more than five hundred.  With the remaining seven or eight hundred, we took the field.  The Mexicans advanced so rapidly, that they were upon us before we were aware of it, and we were compelled to retreat, leaving the garrisons of the two forts to their fate, and a right melancholy one it proved to be.

One morning news was brought to Goliad, that a number of country people, principally women and children, were on their way to the fort, closely pursued by the Mexicans.  Fanning, losing sight of prudence in his compassion for these poor people, immediately ordered a battalion of five hundred men, under the command of Major Ward, to go and meet the fugitives and escort them in.  The major, and several officers of the garrison, doubted as to the propriety of this measure; but Fanning, full of sympathy for his unprotected country-women, insisted, and the battalion moved out.  They soon came in sight of the fugitives, as they thought, but on drawing nearer, the latter turned out to be Mexican dragoons, who sprang upon their horses, which were concealed in the neighbouring islands of trees, and a desperate fight began.  The Mexicans, far superior in numbers, received every moment accessions to their strength.  The Louis-Potosi and Santa Fe cavalry, fellows who seem born on horseback, were there.  Our unfortunate countrymen were hemmed in on all sides.  The fight lasted two days, and only two men out of the five hundred escaped with their lives.

Before the news of this misfortune reached us, orders had been sent to Fanning to evacuate the fort and join us with six pieces of artillery.  He received the order, and proceeded to execute it.  But what might have been very practicable for eight hundred and sixty men, was impossible for three hundred and sixty.  Nevertheless, Fanning began his march through the prairie.  His little band was almost immediately surrounded by the enemy.  After a gallant defence, which lasted twelve hours, they succeeded in reaching an island, but scarcely had they established themselves there, when they found that their ammunition was expended.  There was nothing left for them, but to accept the terms offered by the Mexicans, who pledged themselves, that if they laid down their arms, they should be permitted to return to their homes.  But the rifles were no sooner piled, than the Texians found themselves charged by their treacherous foes, who butchered them without mercy.  Only an advanced post of three men succeeded in escaping.

The five hundred men whom we had left in San Antonio de Bexar, fared no better.  Not being sufficiently numerous to hold out the town as well as the Alamo, they retreated into the latter.  The Mexican artillery soon laid a part of the fort in ruins.  Still its defenders held out.  After eight days’ fighting, during which the loss of the besiegers was tremendously severe, the Alamo was taken, and not a single Texian left alive.