TRAVIS' LETTER
Commandancy of the Alamo~
Bexar, Feb. 24th 1836~
To the people of Texas and all Americans in the world~
Fellow citizens and 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 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, to 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
William Barret Travis
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