<P> By late afternoon Béxar was occupied by about 1,500 Mexican soldiers . When the Mexican troops raised a blood - red flag signifying no quarter, Travis responded with a blast from the Alamo's largest cannon . Believing that Travis had acted hastily, Bowie sent Jameson to meet with Santa Anna . Travis was angered that Bowie had acted unilaterally and sent his own representative, Captain Albert Martin . Both emissaries met with Colonel Juan Almonte and José Bartres . According to Almonte, the Texians asked for an honorable surrender but were informed that any surrender must be unconditional . On learning this, Bowie and Travis mutually agreed to fire the cannon again . </P> <P> The first night of the siege was relatively quiet . Over the next few days, Mexican soldiers established artillery batteries, initially about 1,000 feet (300 m) from the south and east walls of the Alamo . A third battery was positioned southeast of the fort . Each night the batteries inched closer to the Alamo walls . During the first week of the siege more than 200 cannonballs landed in the Alamo plaza . At first, the Texians matched Mexican artillery fire, often reusing the Mexican cannonballs . On February 26 Travis ordered the artillery to conserve powder and shot . </P> <P> Two notable events occurred on Wednesday, February 24 . At some point that day, Bowie collapsed from illness, leaving Travis in sole command of the garrison . Late that afternoon, two Mexican scouts became the first fatalities of the siege . The following morning, 200--300 Mexican soldiers crossed the San Antonio River and took cover in abandoned shacks near the Alamo walls . Several Texians ventured out to burn the huts while Texians within the Alamo provided cover fire . After a two - hour skirmish, the Mexican troops retreated to Béxar . Six Mexican soldiers were killed and four others were wounded . No Texians were injured . </P> <P> A blue norther blew in on February 25, dropping the temperature to 39 ° F (4 ° C). Neither army was prepared for the cold temperatures . Texian attempts to gather firewood were thwarted by Mexican troops . On the evening of February 26 Colonel Juan Bringas engaged several Texians who were burning more huts . According to historian J.R. Edmondson, one Texian was killed . Four days later, Texians shot and killed Private First Class Secundino Alvarez, a soldier from one of two battalions that Santa Anna had stationed on two sides of the Alamo . By March 1, the number of Mexican casualties were nine dead and four wounded, while the Texian garrison had lost only one man . </P>

What led to the battle at the alamo