San Antonio Citizenry Freely Moving About

[Bill Yowell]

In recently re-reading Lords' book, I read where some citizenry moved freely between the town to the Alamo and back during the siege. The book even mentions that a particular individual brought Juan Seguin his evening meals prior to his departure from the compound. Why was this allowed? I see no particular advantage to the Alamo defenders knowing what was going on in the Mexican camp, but someone who could report the declining food supply, ammunition supply, and the physical and emotional condition of the defenders of the Alamo would be providing very valuable information to the attacking side. Was it possibly this information that was the determining factor for the time and date of the final siege.

[Rich Curilla]

Bill, I think this fits a lot better if one understands that the siege was not a lockup until late in the 13 days. What you had at the beginning were the Mexican command post being set up in town, bivouacs being established to the south and east, one cannon emplacement on the Potrero feeling out the fort, Santa Anna and key officers studying the perimeter, etc. Santa Anna even referred to these routine steps being followed "in order." He wasn't worried -- at that point -- about one or two Bexarenos wondering around unless they offered a threat, and it is unlikely that any of these locals (Seguin's friend is all we really know of, I think)were even allowed inside the Alamo by the Texians. Sort of, KNOCK KNOCK! "Who goes there?" "Pizza delivery for Juan Seguin." "Right, thanks." However, later in the siege, I don't believe anything like this would have been possible.

John Lee Hancock's film had a neat scene based on this that was cut where an old woman walks up to the west wall in broad daylight and Seguin, Esparza and others talk to her in Spanish from the top of the wall. Here's the dialogue:

SEGUIN
They let you come and go as you please?

OLD WOMAN
I am too old to matter. Four months ago
they were here and you were there.
(points behind her to Bexar)
Then they left here and you were
still there. Now they are there and
you are here. I'm too old to care
anymore.

SCURLOCK
Ask her what in hell they're waiting for.

SEGUIN
Do you see any preparations for attack?
What are they doing?

OLD WOMAN
The generals eat, the army starves.

(Seguin looks to Scurlock, shrugs. Scurlock, antsy, has had enough -- stands --)

SCURLOCK
Come on! Fight! We're waiting!
Yer yeller -- every Mescan is yeller!

(He realizes what he's said, turns sheepishly to Seguin's men.)

SEGUIN
We're all Mexicans, Scurlock.
Remember well the oath you took.
(to the old woman)
Next time bring tortillas!

SCURLOCK
This is one crazy mess.