178 years ago today- "I shall never surrender or retreat."

[Armybrat]

Commandancy of the Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24, 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 & everything 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.
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

[JohnR]

Inspiring!

Had to look up beeves.

beeves
bēvz/Submit
1.
plural form of beef (sense 1 of the noun).

[Planedude]

I name my Boy Travis in his honor and 25yrs later he named his youngest William.


In Texas we never forget the Alamo.

[laserfish]

Still inspiring.

[rjt123]

I name my Boy Travis in his honor and 25yrs later he named his youngest William.


In Texas we never forget the Alamo.


The small town I grew up in, called Sulphur Springs, TX (80 miles east of Dallas on I-30), still remembers the Texas Revolution.

All of the elementary schools were named for heros of that conflict. I went to James Bowie Elementary School. We also had schools named for Austin, Travis, Lamar, and Houston.

You don't forget about the men who paid in blood to buy your freedom. At least we don't in Texas.

[Armybrat]

The small town I grew up in, called Sulphur Springs, TX (80 miles east of Dallas on I-30), still remembers the Texas Revolution.

All of the elementary schools were named for heros of that conflict. I went to James Bowie Elementary School. We also had schools named for Austin, Travis, Lamar, and Houston.

You don't forget about the men who paid in blood to buy your freedom. At least we don't in Texas.

My late DIL was born & raised in Sulphur Springs. Her dad's family still has a ranch there. She passed away from cancer almost a year ago at age 39.

[rjt123]

My late DIL was born & raised in Sulphur Springs. Her dad's family still has a ranch there. She passed away from cancer almost a year ago at age 39.


Man, 39 is young! I haven't lived there since the middle 80's, but I get back up there sometimes for holidays and such. I don't ever seem to run across anybody that I used to know.

[smo79]

Thank God for true patriots who believe in freedom no matter what the cost.

[mr surveyor]

I can't believe two people in the same thread have even heard of "Sufferin' Springs". Back in the early 80's I spent a couple of years there managing a branch office for the surveying department of an engineering/surveying company (after which I moved back "home" and went solo). I was born, raised and lived most of my life (including the last 31 years) about 60-70 miles South of Sulphur Springs.

Remember the Alamo .... and don't forget March 2nd - Texas Independence Day. I usually shut down work for Independence Day (March 2 of course), but being on Sunday this year we're off anyway. :D

JD