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Post by alanhufffines on Aug 4, 2010 14:47:27 GMT -5
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Post by alanhufffines on Aug 6, 2010 10:35:21 GMT -5
I asked Rusty at the DRT Library to see what he had on all this. Here is his answer. Posted with permission.
"Alan,
Thank you for your email today. It was a slow day at the library - so I had time to do some digging. Unfortunately I did not find anything new. As far as I can tell Miss De Zavala must have been the first to officially write this story down. After looking at different sources I was unable locate anything dealing with this story that was earlier then 1917. I suspect that there were many stories floating around with respect to ghost and the Alamo. All I could locate were the De Zavala account, an article written in 1994 by Nick Howes for a magazine named FATE? It recounts Miss De Zavala's story. I also dug through the clippings from the 1800's to 1917 - nothing. Lots of ghost stories about the Alamo but none about those that attacked Andrade.
Sorry I do not have anything for you - but it made for an interesting diversion for me so thanks!
Dios y Tejas Rusty"
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Post by Allen Wiener on Aug 6, 2010 12:29:14 GMT -5
Around the year 2000, History Chanel ran a program called "Ghosts of San Antonio" as part of its Haunted History series. I don't seem to have a copy of this and can't recall if this is one of the ghost stories they related.
Allen
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Post by Rich Curilla on Aug 6, 2010 20:05:32 GMT -5
They did indeed, and, unless my memory is completely betraying me (possible), they re-enacted this scene at Alamo Village. I have the video at the village and will try to check it tomorrow. (Attach sticky note to briefcase, Richard, and do it with scotch tape this time!)
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Post by greatbigmike on Sept 1, 2010 12:00:49 GMT -5
Just looked had a quick look at this book, what great materials. Here is one of my favorites.
THE GHOSTS OF THE ALAMO.
It is a well known fact that the papers of San Antonio, years ago, from time to time, chronicled marvelous tales of ghosts appearing at the Alamo. That the Alamo was guarded by ghosts was one of the current folk-tales of the country. When General Andrade, the Mexican general sought to destroy the Alamo, after the battle of San Jacinto, in 1836, it is said that his men were everywhere met by spirits with flaming swords who barred their progress and soon frightened them off; that almost as fast as new relays of men were sent with orders to destroy the walls, they were overcome by fright; nor could threats or punishment induce them to return. They were permitted by the ghosts for a space to disarm the batteries, but the moment the walls of the buildings were threatened, there was the flaming sword in ghostly hands. It is a matter of history that the Alamo buildings were not destroyed, and not much injured by Andrade.* The Alamo was dismantled of its works, guns, etc., "the fosse filled up, and the pickets torn up and burned," but only the single outer walls of the mission-square were injured. The reason it was not destroyed, say the current tales of the day, was because of fear, of the threats and prophecy of "the spirits with the flaming swords" whom the Mexican soldiers feared more than they feared their officers.
These spirits ordered them to desist in hollow tones which struck terror to their hearts, "Depart, touch not these walls! He who desecrates these walls shall meet a horrible Fate! Multiplied afflictions shall seize upon him and a horrible and agonizing and avenging torture shall be his death!"
Was this prophecy fulfilled? Those who know the old folk-tale say,'' It was, and will ever be:" And among other things you will hear if you doubt, is: "Search into the miserable lives and deaths of those responsible for the tearing down of part of the Alamo!" and, "Is it not, at least, a strange coincidence that the man who, more than any other one person, was -deliberately responsible for the destruction of the upper story of the old Alamo Portress met such a horrible, agonizing fate ? —entombed alive and consumed by flames—that his worst enemy could not fail to be moved with pity."
* See the comprehensive History of Texas, Dr. Bernard, Kendall, Potter and other historians.
HISTORY AND LEGENDS OF THE ALAMO: AND OTHER MISSIONS IN AND AROUND SAN ANTONIO By Adina de Zavala Published- December, 1917. San Antonio, Texas. Page 55
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