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William Barret Travis sent his famous letter, To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World, on February 24, 1836, pleading for assistance as Santa Anna's Mexican troops amassed outside the Alamo. The text is below:
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, 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.
See all photos of the Alamo. Read our article, South Carolina's Heroes of the Alamo.
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