The Alamo - Travis Letter

by Sonja Harris on March 2, 2013 at 9:55 AM

Hear Willie Nelson read the Travis Letter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q43iuWIjJUU

Texas celebrates its Independence from Mexico on March 2. Texas adopted the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. This document created the Republic of Texas as Mexican Texas broke from Mexico.

As Texans we have much to be proud of. To this day we are an independent people willing to stand for what we believe is right. Brave Texans stood their ground and died at the Battle of the Alamo led by a young man of 26, William Barrett Travis. His letter tells the story of valiant men willing to die for liberty. Travis wrote his letter asking for reinforcements.

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. ...VICTORY OR DEATH.

His cry VICTORY OR DEATH…how courageous to die for what you believe in.

The siege at the Alamo went for 13 days from February 23 to March 6, 1836. Santa Anna’s men approximately 1,500 overpowered the Texians. The Texians, as they were called, were an ethnically diverse group of men united and fighting for one goal, liberty. The make up of the men were Jews, Blacks, Europeans and the rest were from states other than Texas. Eleven of the thirteen born Texians were of Mexican descent.

The Alamo is located in downtown San Antonio, Texas. The Travis letter will be on display until March 7, 2013. There is no entrance fee and each person visiting will receive a copy of the letter. There is a two hour wait before you can enter to view the letter. Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson was instrumental in making the letter available to the Daughters of the Republic who are the custodians of the Alamo.