That afternoon, a Texian lookout began ringing the Béxar church bell. The enemy was in sight! Some citizens in Béxar called out to the Texians, “Poor fellows, you will all be killed!” A few of the townspeople, however, decided to seek safety inside the Alamo. Among them were Jim Bowie’s sisters-in-law, Gertrudis and Juana, and Juana’s baby. Almeron Dickinson, the hatmaker from Gonzales, brought his wife and little baby girl. About a dozen other Tejano women and children came, too. At this point there were only about 150 rebel soldiers at the Alamo. This was not nearly enough.
Right away Travis sent out two riders, one to Gonzales and the other to the fort in Goliad where four hundred men were under the leadership of James Fannin. Travis was asking for more troops.
At the same time Jim Bowie and a group of his men searched the deserted shacks for food and horses. By now it was becoming clear to Bowie’s men that their leader was not well—and that it wasn’t from drinking too much at the fandango.
By early evening on February 23, everyone inside the Alamo saw something terrifying. Gazing over its walls across the river, they watched Santa Anna raise a banner atop the church bell tower in Béxar. The banner was bloodred. It meant: no mercy.
Santa Anna couldn’t wait to kill every Texian rebel who had defied his rule. Especially those at the Alamo, where Cós’s men had been defeated and driven out.
This fury had driven Santa Anna north with six thousand men in the winter. They had started out in late December 1835 on a march of more than 350 miles. There were not nearly enough supplies. Many of the men had been forced into the army. They did not want to be soldiers. On the long, tough march, many deserted. Some collapsed from lack of water or food, as did the horses, mules, and oxen. Some soldiers froze to death in the snow. Some were killed off by Comanche or Apache raiders, who also stole their food.
By the time he reached Béxar, Santa Anna had lost between four hundred and five hundred men. He came into town ahead of most of his army. Still, at least fifteen hundred men were with him. Santa Anna was not worried. He also knew that the rest of the troops would catch up in the following days.
With Santa Anna was General Cós. He was eager for revenge after his earlier surrender to the rebels. General Sesma was in command of 160 deadly lancers on horseback. Everyone in Texas feared them. They could chase a man down and run him through with their sharp spears.
Many wives, girlfriends, and children of the soldiers had come on the long march, too. They slowed down the pace. Many of them died. But they were helpful as cooks and nurses. If Santa Anna had ordered them home, probably many of his troops would have followed after them.
By the time the enemy arrived, Jim Bowie was so weak that he handed over his command to William Travis. Travis ordered a shot blasted from the eighteen-pound cannon to show all the Mexican soldiers surrounding the fort that they were ready to fight.
The battle at the Alamo had begun.
