Travis Victory Death
During the celebration of the 150th year of Texas’ independence from Mexico, I took my family to visit the San Jacinto Battlefield where this freedom was won. As we walked through the museum built on the site, my eye caught an old, worn looking flag. The caption under the flag read, “This is the flag that flew at the Battle of the Alamo.” A chill went through me as I thought of that event and the men who were willing to fight for their lives for freedom. Next to the flag encased in glass was a letter from Colonel William Travis, the commander of the 182 men who fought and died at the battle of the Alamo. I had to wipe away a few tears as I thought of the courage of these great men who died so I could be born in a free Texas. The letter was an appeal for help. It was addressed “to the people of Texas and all Americans in the world.” It read:
“Fellow citizens and compatriots am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna I have sustained a continual bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and 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 walls. I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism and everything dear to the American character, come to our aid, with all 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 honor and that of his country Victory or Death.”
Colonel Travis had underlined the last three words three times. A short time later, Travis and all his men gave their lives for their cause rather than surrender to the enemy. Some things like our families are worth standing up for regardless of the consequences. Because of those like William Travis I am a fifth generation Texan.
