Potter Account(s)

Is there an online access to the 1860??

Allen

Not that I know of. If you need an 1860 I think I scanned one some time ago. I can probably dig it out and send it to you.
Jim

Potter's 1860 account also appears in the 1868 Texas Almanac. I also think that I read somewhere that there is a slightly different version of the 1860 account that appeared in a newspaper.

There is an reprint of the 1860 pamphlet (I have two copies) and yes, it was published in the San Antonio Herald in 1860 (the Herald office also published the pamphlet). Vicki Betts, the outstanding librarian at UT Tyler did a great survey of the San Antonio Papers at the start of the Civil War and has the following note:

ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 3, c. 1
The Fall of the Alamo. Today's Weekly Herald contains an account of the Fall of the Alamo by Capt. R. W. Potter. It is the best, fullest, and most authentic that has been published. Mr. Potter is a gentleman of fine talents, and we hope he will continue to dig away in this line. A finer field for the display of literary genius than the history of the early struggles of the Republic of Texas, is presented nowhere, and as the Captain wields a ready and eloquent pen, we hope he will persevere in this much neglected but interesting work. The description is accompanied by a plat of the Alamo, which was executed by Mr. Hoag [?], foreman of the Herald office.

Then this appeared:

ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 1, c. 1-2

"The Fall of the Alamo."

We publish the following account of the "Fall of the Alamo" from the Texas Almanac for 1860. It is beyond a doubt the most authentic account extant. 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. Mr. Ruiz certainly ought to know the truth, and he is an honest truthful gentleman, the son of one of the signers of the declaration of Texas Independence. Capt. Potter, is entirely at variance with this account in some very essential particulars—in regard to the numbers, the assault, the resistance and the loss of life. According to Mr. Potter's statement he was in Matamoras when the event happened and gathered his information from many incorrect sources, which consequently do not deserve the same credence as the statement of a Mexican gentleman of truth and intelligence, who was present and partook in some of the ceremonies of that heroic tragedy. Mr. Potter does not mention this account given by Mr. Ruiz, and will no doubt for the sake of history, make some very important corrections in his interesting reminiscence, when it is brought to his notice.
We wish to state that when we noticed Capt. Potter's account we had merely glanced at it, and concluded, very naturally, that, coming from the gifted pen of Capt. Potter, it must be all its publishers claim for it; and besides we had not seen Mr. Ruiz' account, which we repeat comes up with a better show of authority, than any we have yet seen.

Then this:

ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 3, c. 1
"The Fall of the Alamo."—As there are a great many false traditions and much perverted history in regard to this, the most heroic action of the Texan struggle, we will attempt to give the public, as soon as it can be conveniently compiled, an account taken from facts on record and from the narratives of men of intelligence on the ground at the time.

On September 1, 1860 The Alamo Express published Potter's Defense of his work. It can be found on Vicki's page at www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/alamo_express.htm. Just work your way down to the September 1 date and you will find a full transcripit. If you want a copy of the original, I have it from when I was working on Tyrants.

All of this Potter discussion kind of ends because of the 1860 Election and the rapidly changing political situation...

It's not.

Try now; same link, but without the period at the end; works for me.

www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/alamo_express.htm