General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna arrives in San Antonio commanding some 5,000 soldiers.

William Barrett Travis sends a messenger to the town of Gonzales with a plea for help:  "To any of the inhabitants of Texas. The enemy in large force is in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance."

Another messenger is sent to James Fannin in Goliad with the message:  "We have removed all our men into the Alamo, where we will make such resistance as is due to our honour, and that of the country, until we can get assistance from you, which we expect you to forward immediately. In this extremity, we hope you will send us all the men you can spare promptly. We have one hundred and forty-six men, who are determined never to retreat. We have but little provisions, but enough to serve us till you and your men arrive. We deem it unnecessary to repeat to a brave officer, who knows his duty, that we call on him for assistance."

Santa Anna flies the red flag of "no quarter" from the San Fernando cathedral, where it can be easily seen by those inside the Alamo.  Travis fires the defenders' 18-pound cannon as an answer.