WILLIAM BARRET TRAVIS’ LETTER FROM THE ALAMO, 1836
Images and transcripts are available courtesy of Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
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Send this to San Felipe by Express
night & day
To
The People of Texas
and
All Americans
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Commandancy of the Alamo—
Bejar, Fby. 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 &
& every thing dear to the American
character, to come to our aid,
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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 deter
mined 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 & got into
the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves—
Travis
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Since the above was written I heard a very heavy
Cannonade during the whole day think there must
have been an attack made upon the alamo We were
short of ammunition when I left Hurry on all
the men you can in haste
When I left there was but 150 determined to
do or die tomorrow I leave
for Bejar with what men I can
raise [copy here illegible]at all events—
Col. Almonte is there the troops are
under the Command of Gen. Seisma
Albert Martin
[printed sideways]
Nb I hope that Every
One will Rondevu at
gonzales as soon poseble
as the Brave Solders are
suffering do not neglect this
powder is very scarce
and should not be delad
one moment
L. Smither
