[Frandy]

Samuel Colt granted a patent for his "revolving gun" (later numbered X9430).

http://patimg1.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=X0009430&idkey=NONE

Happy Anniversary! :D

[Starter52]

So . . . . did he end up making any money with his new invention? :D

[thales]

*


Wikipedia says he was worth about 15 million dollars at the time of his death. That's a lot of money today; it was really a lot of money in 1862.


*

[Vern Humphrey]

And the day before:

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the World-- Fellow Citizens and Compatriots--

I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna--I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man--The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if the fort is taken--I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & our flag still waves proudly from the walls--I shall never surrender or retreat.

Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch--The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days. If this call is neglected, I am determined to sustain myself as long as possible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country--Victory or Death.

-- William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. comdt.

[Frandy]

Yah, well...there was no "surge" at the ole' mission.

[Vern Humphrey]

Yah, well...there was no "surge" at the ole' mission.

And that should be a lesson to us.

Sam Houston reached Gonzales with 400 men, and that night Tom, Jim Bowie's body servant, came into the camp, leading a mule. With him were Susanna Dickenson, wounded, and her daughter Angelina. They broght news that the Alamo had fallen and all the women of Gonzales were widows.