two o'clock in the afternoon
`` We ought not to halt here , -- we ought to push on to the timber , '' said one under-officer , and several others agreed with him , but the halt was made , and time lost that proved fatal to the entire expedition . The soldiers had just resumed their march when some Mexican cavalry were seen at a distance , in front . Hardly had they spread out before the Texans when a large force of Mexican infantry appeared to the rear . This was at two o'clock in the afternoon , and a little later the Texans were entirely surrounded , and the Mexicans began a furious attack . The Texans formed into something of a square , with the wagons in the centre , and the artillery at the corners , and so withering was their fire that the Mexicans were repulsed again and again , and retreated , leaving the prairie crimson with the blood of the dead and wounded . With the Mexicans were a number of Indians , but they quickly retreated when their leaders were shot down by the Texan sharpshooters . As night came on , Colonel Fannin called his men together , and asked them if they wished to remain and fight it out , or try to escape to the timber .