Siege of the Alamo ©

Texas Bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush

Many stories have been written
Of the Alamo's brave stand,
But patriotism brought very few
To join that noble band.

Crockett came for fortune's gain,
Travis, to escape a rope--
Nolan fought to save his home
And Bowie was forlorn of hope.

Few believed that in those walls
Death would claim them fierce and true--
All believed that help would come,
All save one. Bowie knew. . .

All believed with determined hearts
The tide would turn with Fannin's ride,
But Fannin delayed with mortal greed
And led his men to genocide.

For twelve long days, they stood their ground
To give Sam Houston the needed time
To gather his army and equip them enough
To stand against the Mexican line.

'Twas on the twelfth day eve
And the end in sight--
(Their ammo low and losses high)
That Colonel Travis summed up their plight:

"We're beaten and we could surrender,
But hope for merciful treatment's gone;
Santa Anna's taken the oath NO QUARTER,
The final assault will come at dawn."

With his saber, he drew a long thin line:
"The choice is yours if you wish to flee.
I choose to stay and take my toll of the
Tyrant's army. Who stays with me?"

One hundred and some odd men
All chose to cross that final line.
Of all these men, there were only two
That at that time were left behind.

"I'm awfully weak, boys," came a cry,
"But with Texas I've cast my lot.
Give me some help to cross that line--"
And Crockett helped move Bowie's cot.

All eyes turned to the one man left--
Moses Rose decided, then leaped the wall.
He brought the story of that fatal line
To General Houston and to all.


With the dawn's first glimmer, Duegguello sounded
And the Dictator's army marched on the Alamo.
As the adobe walls crumbled under steady fire
The defenders blocked them blow by blow.

Crockett clutched "Betsy", Bowie his knife,
And they were slaughtered to the last one;
But Houston had gained his needed time
And the Alamo fell, but the Texans won.

Ordinary, greedy, or on the run:
Scarcely heroes when the siege began,
But they chose to die for Texas liberty
And became heroes to the last man.


Beverly Hearn Cook