Thirteen Days Of Glory - Day Seven

 February 29

General Santa Anna reorganizes his troops. (Source)

For the defenders, this was a relatively quiet day as they recovered from yesterday's fandango. Santa Ana didn't do much either, other than quietly moving his guns and artillery closer to the Alamo's walls.

Also on this day, a relief column of 32 intrepid men from Gonzales arrived in San Antonio. They paused just outside the Mexican lines and prepared to make a final dash through the enemy lines into the fort.

Responding to Col. Travis' appeals, the main contingent of the Gonzales Alamo Relief Force departed the town square of Gonzales at 2 PM Saturday 27 Feb, led by commanding officer Lieutenant George C. Kimble of the Gonzales Rangers ... On 29 Feb, the group prepared to find a way into the Alamo through the surrounding Mexican forces.

Side Note 1: Gonzales is the site of the first battle of the Texas Revolution - The Lexington and Concord of Texas.

Differences between Texas and Mexico progressed from the talking stage to the shooting stage at The Battle of Gonzales, generally considered to be the first battle of the Texas Revolution.

Leading up to the conflict, the Mexican authorities sent a force of about 100 men to repossess a cannon that had been provided the residents of Gonzales for defense against Indians. In response to the Mexican force, the Texans, under Colonels John H. Moore and J. W. E. Wallace, loaded the cannon with scrap iron, aimed at the Mexicans, and fired the shot that began the revolution.

After a short fight, the Mexicans retreated, with one casualty, against no loss on the side of the Texans.

The battle flag used by the Texans at the Battle of Gonzales gained considerable recognition as the "Come and Take It" flag. On a white banner was a picture of the old cannon, painted in black. The flag acquired its name from the words "Come And Take It" printed below the cannon.

 

Side Note 2: Like the current year - 2012 - 1836 was also a leap year.