Travis, WILLIAM BARRETT, Military
Officer, Commander at the Alamo, Hero; born in Conecuh
county, Ala., in 1811 ; admitted to the bar in 1830 and began practice
in Claiborne, Ala.; went to Texas about 1832 and later joined the Texas
army and fought for the independence of that territory. With 140 men he
defended Fort Alamo (the old mission station of San Antonio de Valero)
against 4,000 Mexicans, Feb. 23, 1836. The place was stoutly defended
for ten days ; numerous appeals were made for aid, but only thirty-two
men succeeded in passing the Mexican lines. After frequent attacks had
been repulsed with great slaughter a hand-to-hand fight occurred on
March 6, in which the Texans were not overcome until only six of their
number were left alive, including Travis,
David
Crockett, and James Bowie. These then fell also. Shortly afterwards,
during the battle at San Jacinto, where the Mexicans met a bloody
defeat, the battle cry was " Remember the Alamo." See
BATTLE OF
THE ALAMO.
Travis is often remembered for the stirring and brave message he sent
out while he was under siege at the Alamo:
COMMANDANCY OF THE ALAMO, BEXAR, February
24, 1836.
FELLOW-CITIZENS AND COMPATRIOTS : I am besieged by a thousand or more of
the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continued bombardment
for twenty-four hours, and have not lost a man. The enemy have demanded
a surrender at discretion ; otherwise the garrison is to be put to the
sword, if the place is taken. I have answered the summons 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, and of everything dear to the American character, to come
to our aid with all despatch. The enemy are receiving reinforcements
daily, and will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or
five days. Though this call may be 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 and that of his country. Victory or death!
"W. BARRET TRAVIS, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding.
" 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,
eighty or ninety bushels, and got into the walls twenty or thirty head
of beeves. "T" |