189 years ago on this day, William Barrett Travis penned his famous Victory or Death Letter.
189 defenders would give their lives for Texas Independence at the Alamo against the tyrant Santa Anna who had illegally resended the Mexican Constitution of 1824.
There are several great readings of this letter, but my favorite has always been this version by Abbott Texas native, Willie Nelson (you might have heard of him)
Travis would hand the letter to Capt Albert Martin, of the Gonzales Rangers, the Paul Revere of the Texas Revolution.
Martin would ride through Mexican lines to Gonzales, the site of the start of hostilities and the Come and Take It battle in Oct of 1835.
Capt Martin was not done, he would return to the Alamo, leading 32 men to help reinforce the Alamo. Most likely knew it would be a one-way trip but that did not dissuade them. They became known as Gonzales Immortals.
I am proud to be part of the Alamo Letter Society. Our mission is to bring a copy of Travis' letter in bronze to every county in the state. I am working on Denton and Fayette County. 32 either complete or in work, 200+ to go. Why Fayette County (north of I 10 near Columbus) you might ask? Going back 7 generations, my Great grandfather X 4, James Jeffers Ross was one of Austin's Old 300 and helped found the town of Fayetteville and the county.
alamoletter.com
189 defenders would give their lives for Texas Independence at the Alamo against the tyrant Santa Anna who had illegally resended the Mexican Constitution of 1824.
There are several great readings of this letter, but my favorite has always been this version by Abbott Texas native, Willie Nelson (you might have heard of him)
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 Barret 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
The Travis Letter
History of the Alamo Historic SiteThe Alamo historic site is the genuine article... a real place where history happened and heroes were…
www.thealamo.org
Travis would hand the letter to Capt Albert Martin, of the Gonzales Rangers, the Paul Revere of the Texas Revolution.
Martin would ride through Mexican lines to Gonzales, the site of the start of hostilities and the Come and Take It battle in Oct of 1835.
Capt Martin was not done, he would return to the Alamo, leading 32 men to help reinforce the Alamo. Most likely knew it would be a one-way trip but that did not dissuade them. They became known as Gonzales Immortals.
I am proud to be part of the Alamo Letter Society. Our mission is to bring a copy of Travis' letter in bronze to every county in the state. I am working on Denton and Fayette County. 32 either complete or in work, 200+ to go. Why Fayette County (north of I 10 near Columbus) you might ask? Going back 7 generations, my Great grandfather X 4, James Jeffers Ross was one of Austin's Old 300 and helped found the town of Fayetteville and the county.
Alamo Letter Society
Alamo Letter Society - To educate current and future Texans about their forefathers' armed struggle for Freedom and Liberty through the placement of a large bronze plaque containing Col. William Barrett Travis's Alamo 'Victory or Death' letter, in all 254 Texas Courthouses. To honor the two...
alamoletter.com
