Today Travis penned “Victory or Death” from the Alamo

It was today, 24 February 1836 inside the Alamo that William Barret Travis penned his letter which read:

To the People of Texas and 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 and 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, and our flag still waves proudly from the wall.

I shall never Surrender or retreat.

Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism and every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with dispatch.

The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and 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 and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country.

Victory or Death,
William Barret Travis

Prayers today my good Texans. Prayers of thanksgiving for these brave souls who stood against tyranny when they were quite certain such would lead to their death. That is Texas.