Page 144 - Picturesque_Alamo_City_1

When in 1718 a military post was established here and the conquest of Texas was
attempted by the French, who then controlled Louisiana, it was found necessary to have
a fort and the Alamo was a most desirable place for it. In 1757, it was secularized by
royal decree, and it is possible that changes were then made in the building to adapt it
for military purposes and that the stone merely commemorates the changes. However
this may be, the Alamo became then the protective fortress of the city and no doubt was
occupied by part of the garrison.
It was first captured by Major Kemper, of the Magee expedition, who defeated
General Salcedo in 1812. These were American revolutionists and Mexican malcontents.
A year later General Arredondo, at the head of a superior Mexican army, re-conquered
it and Mexicans were again in possession, and it remained in their control until 1835,
when gallant old Ben Milam, with a few brave companions, invaded San Antonio, capt-
ured it, and General De Cos, head of the Mexican army surrendered, evacuated it and
retired with his army into Mexico.
The Texan colonists remained in peaceable possession until February 1836, when
General Santa Anna, President of Mexico and Commander-in-chief of the Mexican army,
besieged the city. His army consisted of 6000 men, picked men of the country; while
the Texan army consisted of only 145 efficient men. This was later augmented by 32
men who came from Gonzales.
The invasion of Santa Anna was not unexpected and Travis, then in command,
had been ordered to fall back on Goliad, where a large force of Texans were in camp.
Instead of this, he and his men fortified themselves in the Alamo and Travis sent to the
provisional government for re-enforcements, with his immortal declaration: "I shall
never retreat or surrender." Owing to the confusion of the time and other disobedience