four in the
morning
If I had little children I would take them on my knee and teach them the story . I heard it from the lips of one wet-shod with their blood , dripping crimson from the battle -- my own cousin , Xavier . He was with General Castrillon 's division . They began their attack at four in the morning , and after two hours ' desperate fighting succeeded in reaching a courtyard of the Alamo . `` They found the windows and doors barricaded with bags of earth . Behind these the Americans fought hand to hand with despairing valor . Ramires , Siesma and Batres led the columns , and Santa Anna gave the signal of battle from a battery near the bridge .