Friday, June 04, 2004
Travis's Letter
COMMANDANCY OF THE ALAMO-
BEXAR, FEBY. 24TH 1836-
TO THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS AND ALL AMERICANS IN THE WORLD--
FELLOW CITIZENS AND COMPATRIOTS
I AM BESIEGED, BY A THOUSAND OR MORE OF THE MEXICANS AND 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 WALL- _I SHALL NEVER SURRENDER OR RETREAT_ THEN, I CALL ON YOU IN THE NAME OF LIBERTY, OF PATRIOTISM AND EVERYTHING DEAR TO THE AMERICAN CHARACTER TO COME TO OUR AID, WITH ALL DISPATCH - THE ENEMY IS RECEIVING REINFORCEMENT DAILY AND 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 BARRET TRAVIS
LT. COL. COMDT.
P. S. THE LORD IS ONE 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 & GOT INTO THE WALLS 30 OR 40 HEAD OF BEEVES-
TRAVIS
|
BEXAR, FEBY. 24TH 1836-
TO THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS AND ALL AMERICANS IN THE WORLD--
FELLOW CITIZENS AND COMPATRIOTS
I AM BESIEGED, BY A THOUSAND OR MORE OF THE MEXICANS AND 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 WALL- _I SHALL NEVER SURRENDER OR RETREAT_ THEN, I CALL ON YOU IN THE NAME OF LIBERTY, OF PATRIOTISM AND EVERYTHING DEAR TO THE AMERICAN CHARACTER TO COME TO OUR AID, WITH ALL DISPATCH - THE ENEMY IS RECEIVING REINFORCEMENT DAILY AND 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 BARRET TRAVIS
LT. COL. COMDT.
P. S. THE LORD IS ONE 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 & GOT INTO THE WALLS 30 OR 40 HEAD OF BEEVES-
TRAVIS
