VICTORY or DEATH

Commandancy of the The Alamo Bejar,
February. 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 twenty hours and have not lost a man.

The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison is 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 own honor and that of his country.

William Barret Travis, Lieutenant Colonel.
Commandant

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 eighty or ninety bushels, and got into the walls twenty or thirty head of Beeves.

Travis Letter