February 21, 1836, I, Commander William B. Travis, have received word from one of my scouts that Santa Anna and his army are on their way here. My first priority is the safety of the few families, women, and children who still remain in San Antonio. That is one of the reasons why we are evacuating everyone to the Alamo. Also, the large Spanish mission will provide much space and the 3 feet thick and 12 feet high walls will defend well against cannons. For now, we must prepare and hope god has blessed us. February 22, 1836, We have moved everyone to the Alamo where they may be safe, for now. Although the Alamo serves as a small fort, we are very low on supplies, medicine, ammunition, and food. Cannons have been positioned along the mission’s walls, the few supplies we do have, have been dispersed, and rifles are at the ready. I have appreciated my men and their faithful commitment, for we have been able to prepare for the inevitable.
February 23, 1836, Alas! Our lookout has spotted Santa Anna’s army. What a massive score of soldiers! There must be at least six-thousand, all with there swords gleaming in the sun. I myself only command a hundred, eighty-seven men. Might there be of any way that our luck may change? Oh, but there is! I must organize two groups of men; one who will fire the rifles while the other continuously loads and readies them. In this way, a soldier may have three or four rifles at his side and be able to shoot four times in the same amount of time a Mexican soldier shoots once.
February 24, 1836, Our shots rang out proudly and we have not lost as to a single man. To hold them off like this, I don’t know if we can. Also, Commander James Bowie has fallen to illness and fights to stay conscious while I take full command of the Alamo. So now I have sent a messenger whom carries my letter to the people of Texas and the Americans of the world. I have stated