William Barret Travis Letter - February 25, 1836

Letter dated February 25, 1836, from Lt. Col. William B. Travis to Major-General Sam Houston during the Mexican siege of the Alamo. The Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico was signed on March 2, 1836, and the Alamo fell to a Mexican assault shortly after this letter was written, on March 6, 1836.

According to the Texas State Library: The February 25, 1836, letter from Travis to Houston is transcribed in John H. Jenkins's Papers of the Texas Revolution, Volume 4, pages 433-434, as Document #2177. According to his annotation, the letter was copied from the "Arkansas Gazette [Little Rock], April 12, 1836. Also part in Parker, Trip to the West and Texas [2nd ed.] 360-61."

There are several other letters from Travis written from the Alamo. The more famous of these was dated February 24, 1836 and addressed to "The People of Texas and All Americans In The World" - this letter is relatively easy to find through a normal web-based search engine and is worth a read, too.

Text:

Travis
To Major-General Sam Houston
February 25, 1836

HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO: Sir; On the 23rd of Feb., the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Bartes, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded a surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o'clock a.m. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded.

During the action, the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded -- while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled. I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of the artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire. Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty. Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer. If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!

W. Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Com

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• 1836

[username0u812ic]

brave souls

[ReadingandSalutation]

@username0u812ic Yes - brave and resolute. Difficult to understand in a day and age where we have so many ways to run, hide, or feign indifference.

[pdxflint]

The language and specific detail in the letter sound authentic to my ears. Good job on this one.

[ReadingandSalutation]

Thanks for taking the time to listen and then post such an encouraging comment. I really need to knuckle-down and record a few more Texas history items before February / March...

[ReadingandSalutation]

I am clearly not as scholarly as most of the people who watch this video. I pulled my original text for this specific video off of the web. I would assume that you can find some of this information from the true historians scattered about academia. In the mean time, yes, I will try to update the video information to include written text. Sorry about the delay in responding...I have been busy with work and home and may continue to be for a few more weeks.

[vhbeazel]

@ReadingandSalutation I am hoping that there is a source for letters calling all Texans, or correspondence with Spanish communities across the borders during this time period? I will be in contact with John H. Jenkins to see what he has found. Great job on the narrative; can you post the text in your about section? for those who struggle with English? Long Live the Great Republic of Texas!!

[ReadingandSalutation]

According to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission:

The February 25, 1836, letter from Travis to Houston is transcribed in John H. Jenkins's Papers of the Texas Revolution, Volume 4, pages 433-434, as Document #2177. According to his annotation, the letter was copied from the "Arkansas Gazette [Little Rock], April 12, 1836. Also part in Parker, Trip to the West and Texas [2nd ed.] 360-61."

The TSL sfaff does not have the physical document in its holdings.

Thanks!

[ReadingandSalutation]

As of this time, I have contacted various academic sources to verify the validity of the letter presented in this video. I am still working to obtain definitive responses to which interested parties can be referred.

With additional web research, I have found one published source which quotes this same correspondence - "The Alamo reader: a study in history" by Todd Hansen Published by Stackpole Books, 2003 ISBN 0811700607, 9780811700603.

I have not obtained a copy to check the bibliography.

[txbuckhunter]

this is not the actual way that the letter is wrote. it is disappointing that you have not researched and read it the correct way.