I commend the Alamo Letter Society for their dedication to educating Texans about the bravery and sacrifice of our forefathers.
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN, Texas – On Tuesday evening, I had the honor of participating in the dedication of a new plaque at the Limestone County Courthouse. This plaque features the text of Col. William B. Travis’s renowned “Victory or Death” letter penned during the Siege of the Alamo in 1836 and was generously provided by the Alamo Letter Society. I read aloud a copy of the letter delivered to the dedication ceremony by horseback. The text of the letter reads as follows:
“Commandancy of the The Alamo
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 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”
Bejar, Feby. 24th. 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”
These words continue to inspire Texans today. I commend the Alamo Letter Society for their dedication to educating Texans about the bravery and sacrifice of our forefathers. Thank you to the Limestone County Co-Chairman Lance Phillips and Rosser Newton as well as the Alamo Society Co-Chair Bill McNutt for the installation of this plaque! If you are in Groesbeck, stop by the courthouse to see Travis’s words displayed for our posterity.
