On the evening of February 22nd, 1836, there was a party in San Antonio de Bexar -- a "fandango". Not that the Texian garrison needed an excuse to drink and carouse, but this party reportedly was in honor of Washington's birthday.
The fandango lasted long into the night.
What the revelers didn't realize was that a bare 25 miles away, a force of Mexican cavalry was crossing the Medina River in an effort to crash this party by surprise. But a sudden rain storm halted the raid.
But the Mexicans were close.
Now, when dawn broke in Bexar, the Texians were puzzled by the sight of hundreds of residents packing up and leaving town -- and leaving in a hurry.
Travis was unconvinced by the reports indicating an imminent attack by the Mexican army, but he decided to be prudent and post a sentry in the bell tower of the San Fernando Church. The sentry had instructions to ring the bell if he saw anything.
At around 2:30 that afternoon, the bell rung.
Travis and Bowie raced across the Main Plaza and climbed to the bell tower and saw -- nothing.
Heaps of scorn ascended onto the sentry from the gathering crowd below, but Travis decided that an investigation was in order. He sent Dr. James Sutherland, and John W. Smith out on horseback to see if the Mexicans had indeed arrived.
Smith told Travis that if he saw them coming back at anything other than a walk, he would know that the Mexicans had arrived.
Off they went towards a bluff about a mile and a half west of town. They soon reached the top.
At first glance, it must have looked a lot worse than it actually was. What they did see was the advance guard of the Mexican Army consisting of the superb Delores Cavalry -- around 300 strong. They were just standing around, apparently waiting for orders.
Stunned, Sutherland and Smith reigned in their horses, turned and galloped in panic back to town.
On the way back, Sutherland's horse stumbled, throwing Sutherland to the ground. His leg broken, he let Smith help him to get back on his horse, and together, they galloped toward town.
The bell rang again.
Travis and Bowie now knew that the sentry was right and ordered their men to evacuate Bexar and assemble in the Alamo.
Bedlam now ensued as men raced for the safety of the fort. Cattle was "appropriated" as well as food supplies and ammunition. Even the local blacksmiths' shop was raided; the Texians taking anything that they could carry that might be of use.
Several of the garrison also had wives and families, among them Almeron Dickinson. His wife, Suzanna, and baby girl Angelina, and the others joined the throng now streaming towards the Alamo.
As they were rushing by, one peasant woman remarked: "Poor fellows. You will all be killed."
Now in the Alamo, Travis was busy writing pleas for help, and sending them out by courier.
By late afternoon, Bexar was occupied by around 1,500 Mexican troops. A blood red flag signifying "no quarter" was raised above the bell tower on San Fernando Church.
As a bugle sounded signifying the Mexican desire for a parley, Travis ordered the Alamo's largest gun, the 18 pounder fired. The ball skidded into the Main Plaza in Bexar hurting no one.
But Bowie was shocked by Travis' action, and felt that their pact of joint command had been violated as he was not consulted. He sent Green B. Jameson out under a flag of truce to see if the situation could be retrieved.
General Santa Anna was having none of it. He sent two of his aids, Colonel Juan Almonte, and Jose Bartres to meet with Jameson and to set him straight.
They met on a little bridge over the river, just southwest of the fort.
The smooth as silk Almonte informed Jameson that only unconditional surrender at discretion would be considered.
It was well known what "surrender at discretion" meant. It meant that all prisoners would be murdered.
By this time, Travis saw the little parley taking place on the bridge. He knew what the red flag on the tower meant, and saw no point in surrender negotiations -- and he had just sent out calls for help. -- And he had 19 cannon defending his position.
So he had the 18 pounder fire again.
This ended the parley.
Santa Anna used the evening to set up gun positions around the perimeter of the Alamo.
At dawn on the 24th, they opened fire.
Dozens of shells rained down on the Alamo, smashing against the walls and landing in the interior plaza, into the cattle pen and horse corral. No casualties were inflicted by the barrage -- only a few men clipped by flying rocks.
Travis was now back in his headquarters room drafting new appeals for help. At the end of one of them, on a strip of brown wrapping paper, before his signature, he proclaimed "Victory or Death".
It would prove to be prophetic.
