They had heard also that Santa Anna had hoisted the red flag of no quarter, and that Texans everywhere, if taken, would be slaughtered as traitors.

The people of Washington had full cause for their excitement and suspense.
The little town also had the unique distinction of being a capital for a day or two.

The Texans felt, with the news that Santa Anna had enveloped the Alamo, that they must take decisive action.

They believed that the Mexicans had broken every promise to the Texans.

They knew that not only their liberty and property, but their lives, also, were in peril.
Despite the great disparity of numbers it must be a fight to the death between Texas and Mexico.