We probably should have mention of the event of this date in history:

“The writer was within almost stone-throw of the Alamo during the final assault, was in the fort immediately after, and as Alcalde of the town attended to burying the Mexican dead; was eye-witness to the burning of the bodies of the Texan heroes, and hunted out the bodies of Travis, Crockett and Bowie.



The Fall of the Alamo, and
Massacre of Travis and His
Brave Associates.
By Francisco Antonio Ruiz.

On the 23d day of February, 1839 [sic], (2 o'clock P.M.) Gen. Santa Anna entered the city of San Antonio with a part of his army. This he affected without any resistance, the forces under the command of Travis Bowie, and Crockett, having on the same day, at 8 oclock in the morning, learned that the Mexican army was on the banks of the Medina river, they concentrated in the fortress of the Alamo.
In the evening they began to exchange fire with guns, and from the 23d of February to the 6th of March (in which the storming was made by Santa Anna,) the roar of artillery and volleys of musketry were constantly heard.
On the 9th of March, at 3 o'clock P.M. [sic], Gen. Santa Anna at the head of 4,000 men, advanced against the Alamo. The infantry, artillery and cavalry had formed about 1000 vrs. from the walls of said fortress. The Mexican army charged and were twice repulsed by the deadly fire of Travis' artillery, which resembled a constant thunder. At the third charge the Toluca battalion commenced to scale the walls and suffered severely. Out of 800 men, only 130 were left alive.
When the Mexican army had succeeded in entering the walls, I, with the Political Chief (Gefe Politico) Don Ramon Murquiz, and other members of the Corporation, accompanied the Curate, Don Refugio de la Garza, by Santa Anna's orders, had assembled [illegible] temporary fortification erected in Potrero street, with the object of attending the wounded, etc. As soon as the storming commenced, we crossed the bridge on Commerce street with this object in view, and about 100 yards from the same a party of Mexican dragoons fired upon us and compelled us to fall back on the river and place we occupied before. Half an hour had elapsed when Santa Anna sent one of his aid-de-camps with an order for us to come before him. He directed me to call on some of the neighbors to come up with carts to carry the dead to the Cemetery, and also to accompany him, as he was desirous to have Col. Travis, Bowie, and Crockett shown to him.
On the north batter of the fortress lay the lifeless body of Col. Travis on the gun-carriage, shot only in the forehead. Toward the west, and in the small fort opposite the city, we found the body of Col. Crockett. Col. Bowie was found dead in his bed, in one of the rooms of the south side.
Santa Anna, after all the Mexicans were taken out, ordered wood to be brought to burn the bodies of the Texians. He sent a company of dragoons with me to bring wood and dry branches from the neighboring forest. About 3 o'clock in the afternoon, they commenced laying the wood and dry branches, upon which a file of dead bodies were laid; more wood was piled on them and another file brought, and in this manner they were all arranged in layers. Kindling wood was distributed through the pile, and about 5 o'clock in the evening it was lighted.
The dead Mexicans of Santa Anna were taken to the grave-yard, but not having sufficient room for them, I ordered some of them to be thrown into the river, which was done the same day.
Santa Anna's loss was estimated at 1600 men. These were the flower of his army.
The gallantry of the few Texians who defended the Alamo was really wondered at by the Mexican army. Even the Generals were astonished at their vigorous resistance, and how dearly victory had been bought.
The Generals, who under Santa Anna participated in the storming of the Alamo, were Juan Amador, Castrillon, Ramirez, Sesma, and Andrade.
The men burnt numbered 182. I was an eye witness, for as Alcalde of San Antonio, I was with some of the neighbors collecting the dead bodies and placing them on the funeral pyre.
[Signed] Francisco Antonio Ruiz.
P.S. My father was Don Francisco Ruiz, a member of the Texas Convention. He signed the Declaration of Independence on the 2d of March, 1836.”

https://www.fold3.com/page/115...e-fall-of-the-alamo/

At the beginning of the seige, Travis sent this letter:

Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—
Fellow Citizens & compatriots—

I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna — I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man — The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken — I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls — I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch — The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country —

Victory or Death.
William Barrett Travis.
Lt. Col. comdt.

P. S. The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis



However, no relief came, and on March 6, 1836, the Alamo fell and all those not killed in the battle were slaughtered.

Remember the Alamo!

Remember Goliad!

Their valor and heroism was immeasurable.

May they inspire us for the next two hundred years.

Goliad massacre.


Https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliad_massacre

A very minor point-Not to take anything away from the bravery and sacrifice of these men, but the OP says the final battle was March 9 at 3 P.M. I always thought it was March 6 in the predawn. I can understand how the author could be wrong on the date but it is hard to understand how he could confuse 3 P.M. with predawn.

^^^^^
Mayan Calendar?