I am besieged by a thousand or more of theMexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustaineda continual bombardment and cannonade fortwenty-four hours and have not lost a man.The enemy has demanded a surrender atdiscretion; otherwise the garrison are to beput to the sword if the fort is taken. I haveanswered the demand with a cannon shot,and our flag still waves proudly from thewalls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of liberty,of patriotism, and everything dear to theAmerican character, to come to our aid withall dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and will no doubt increaseto three or fQur thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined tosustain myself as long as possible and die likea soldier who never forgets what is due to hisown honor and that of our country. Victoryor death. Alamo Inscription San Antonio, Texas In memory of the heroes who sacrificed theirlives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836, in the defense of Texas. They chose never to surrender nor retreat. These brave hearts, withflag still proudly waving, perished in theflames of immortality that their high sacrificemight lead to the founding of this Texas.From the fire that burned their bodies rosethe eternal spirit of the sublime, heroic sacrifice which gave birth to an empire state.

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