Being
necessary to act decisively upon the enemy defending The Alamo,
the Most Excellent General-In-Chief has ordered that tomorrow
at four o'clock the attacking columns, placed at short distance
from the first trenches, undertake the assault to begin with
a signal given by the General by means of the sounding of a
bugle from the North battery.
General
D. Martin Perfecto de Cos will command the First Column. If
he cannot, I will. The Permanent Battalion, Aldama, with the
exception of the Grenadier Company and the three first Active
Companies of San Luis, will form the First Column.
The
Second Column will be commanded by Colonel D. Francisco Duque.
If he cannot, by General D. Manuel Fernandez Castrillon. The
Active Battalion, Toluca, and the three Active Rifle Companies,
San Luis, with the exception of the Grenadier Company, will
form this Second Column.
Colonel
D. Jose Maria Romero will command the Third. If he cannot, Colonel
D. Mariano de Salas. The Rifle Companies from the Permanent
Battalions, Matamoros and Jimenez, and the Active Battalion,
San Luis.
The
points from which these columns will mount their attacks will
be designated by the General-In-Chief at the opportune time,
and then the Column Commanders will receive their orders.
The
reserves will be formed by the Sapper Battalion and the first
Grenadier Companies from the Permanent Battalions, Matamoros,
Jimenez and Aldama, plus the Active Battalions, Toluca and San
Luis. The reserve force will be commanded by the General-In-Chief
at the moment of attack; but the gathering of this force will
be carried out by Colonel D. Augustin Amat, under whose orders
the reserves will remain from this afternoon until they are
placed in positions to be designated.
The
first Column will carry ten scaling ladders, two crowbars and
two axes; the same number by the second; six ladders by the
third, and two by the fourth.
The
men carrying the ladders will sling their rifles on their backs
until the ladders are properly placed.
The
Companies of Grenadiers and Scouts will carry ammunition at
six rounds [packages of cartridges] per man and at four the
riflemen, and two flints in reserve. These men will not wear
cloaks, carry blankets, or anything else which will inhibit
them to maneuver quickly. During the day all shako chin-straps
will be correctly worn-these the Commanders will watch closely.
The troops will wear shoes or sandals. The attacking troops
will turn in after the night's prayers as they will form their
columns at midnight.
The
untrained recruits will remain in their camps. All armaments
will be in good shape-especially the bayonets.
As
soon as the moon rises, the riflemen of the Active Battalion,
San Luis, will move back to their quarters to get their equipment
ready; this will be done by leaving their stations in the line.
The
Cavalry, under the command of General D. Joaquin Ramirez y Sesma,
will occupy the Alameda and will saddle up at Three o'clock
in the morning. Their duty will be to guard the camp and keep
anyone from deserting.
Take
this into consideration: Against foreigners opposing us, the
Honor of our Nation and Army is at stake. His Supreme Excellency,
the General-In-Chief, expects each man to fulfill his duties
and to exert himself to give his country a day of glory and
satisfaction. He well knows how to reward those brave men who
form The Army of Operations.
