February 24, 1836

[jag312]

Commandancy of the The Alamo​

Bejar, Feby. 24th. 1836​

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World—​

Fellow Citizens & 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 Barrett Travis.​

Lt. Col. comdt.​

P. S. The Lord is on our side — When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn — We have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.​

Travis​

 

[Maddog 521]

"Victory or Death"-- RIP Col. Travis and the brave men that fought at the Alamo.

 

[OFT II]

On February 22 of this year that letter was returned to the Alamo for the first time since it was written. It's now on display at the Alamo.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

2 of my 5 grandchildren live in Texas. I've instructed my children to begin this year to teach all the grandkids the lessons about freedom and tyrany (including the 2 year olds in N.J.). I have been planing to build an old western fort for the kids to play in when they visit, I now know the general design! Ivan

 

[yaktamer]

On February 22 of this year that letter was returned to the Alamo for the first time since it was written. It's now on display at the Alamo.

Postage due?

 

[25elk]

No boasting intended here, just proud of my heritage. My family were Texas pioneers, with one dying at the Alamo and two great,great,great(?) uncles who fought at the battle of San Jacinto and have their names engraved on the monument there, where Santa Anna discovered that "payback is hell". Most of the family still lives or is buried in Texas.

 

[CajunBass]

I have long admired Col. Travis. I wanted to name my youngest son "William Barrett Travis", but my wife said "Nobody has four names." So he's "Barrett Travis" instead.

I took great delight in later years pointing out "George Herbert Walker Bush", and "William Jefferson Blythe Clinton". So much for "Nobody has four names."

 

[wbraswell]

Yeehah! Remember the Alamo, Remember Goliad, Come and Take It, Victory or Death. Texas, BY GOD!