 The volunteers would form at an abandoned mill, Molino Blanco or Zambrano's mill, at 3 AM, while Burleson would hold the rest of the army in reserve.At the same time, Captain James C. Neil would open fire on the Alamo, the center of the Mexican Army's defensive position, with two cannons to distract the Mexican soldiers.Early on December 5, Colonel Milam and Colonel Frank W. Johnson each led a column of attackers into the heavily fortified city, where they eventually seized a foothold and entrenched their position overnight.