180 years ago today, February 24, 1836, twenty-six year old Lt. Colonel William Barrett Travis wrote a letter addressed “To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World,” seeking aid for himself, and his men who were besieged in the Alamo at San Antonio de Bejar.

Willing to die for the cause and ideal of a nation not yet sovereign, Travis and the other 188 men defended more than just an old Spanish mission, they fought to their dying breath to protect the virtue and liberty that would become the soul of Texas. It is upon the legacy of brave men such as Colonel Travis that the fiercely independent fighting spirit of modern day Texas is built.

The state, and our history, is founded by the devotion of men not native to the territory, as Travis-Alabama, Jim Bowie-Kentucky, David Crockett-Tennessee, Colonel James Fannin-Georgia, Sam Houston-Virginia, all put left their homes to forge a new destiny in Texas. The ideal of the state itself is the true representation of hope, pride, liberty, and determination.

The letter Travis wrote deserves the attention of any historian, patriot, or person seeking to understand what makes a Texan, a Texan.

The letter:

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 Barrett 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