“Fellow citizens and compatriots;
I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and 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, and 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 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 and 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”
One of the greatest patriotic letters in American History. Not too long ago my JHS kids used a text that actually contained this letter. Now we have a new one that barely mentions The Alamo. Here in NYC I had a class of immigrant kids from Asia and Latin America which enthusiastically took a week studying the Alamo, this letter and the motivations of James Bohnam in returning to the mission and certain death. Several of the artistic kids created images of Bohnam’s decision. The History of this American Republic captures people. It is my hope we will someday be allowed again to teach it.