By Robert KolarikStaff Writer

SAN ANTONIO de BÉXAR, México, Feb. 29, 1836 — This Leap

Year’s Day witnessed a sight most shocking: His Excel-lency, Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna, the President and Dictator of Mexico, attempting to introduce the demon of divisiveness within the walls of Fortress Alamo.

Offer did Santa Anna the opportunity for all Mexican-born occupants — but only them — a three-day period in which to leave the com-pound.

Several individuals have responded positively to this most unmagnanimous of of-fers (as the great majority of the force therein are from the United States or other “for-eign” lands) and departed.

—————————THE WEATHER

To-day witnessed the weather in the vicin-ity of San Antonio

de Béxar continue its mod-eration, with Gen. Santa Anna’s aide-de-camp, Col. Juan Almonte, reporting a temperature of 55 degrees.

That made a fine, brisk day for riding or hiking, and the Jimenez battal-ion — cavalry and infan-try troops alike — under command of Gen. Joaquín Ramírez y Sesma was dis-patched toward Goliad,

based on reports that 200 troops were marching in relief of the Alamo.

—————————IMPORTANT MAN

The self-proclaimed Napoleon of the West continued mov-

ing his troops about like so many pieces on a chessboard to-day, positioning the bat-talion of Allende in the roll-ing terrain to the east of the fortress.

His Excellency, the Presi-dent and Dictator of Mexico then toured the siege area personally to admire his handiwork. He did pay a bit of a price for all this activ-ity, though, as Col. Almonte reported one of Gen. Santa

Anna’s soldiers was killed.—————————EXTRA DAY

To-day, of course, marks that quadren-nial oddity, the day

added to the Month of Feb-ruary in the years that also see United States presiden-tial elections. The added 24 hours balance time and space and make all things right with the world — at least for its calendar-mak-ers.

—————————THE VOTE

Lest there be confusion in the matter of Lt. Col. William Travis’

command of the Fortress Alamo, a vote that occurred before the Siege began must now be discussed.

It will be recalled that when hands were raised and noses were counted, the ail-ing Col. James Bowie — and not Travis — was selected as the Texas troops’ leader.

This may have given rise to the misperception that the lieutenant colonel is not highly regarded by the men over whom he now reigns. (Travis and Bowie, of course, eventually arranged a joint command — which the latter surrendered upon falling ill). Rather, the out-come of the vote was more a reflection of the volunteers’ disinclination to follow the orders of a regular Texian Army man over those from one of their own.

Dictator would allow the Mexican-born to leave the besieged fortress

Travis lost a vote on who would be the

commander of the Alamo garrison.

Soldiers such as this fellow have the Texas forces

within the Alamo surrounded.Mike Fisher, a

xylographer from the Staff.

DAY 7FEB. 29,

1836