To All Americans in the World

William Barret Travis Lt. Col. comdt.

There was a day when General Sam Houston "ordered" that the Alamo Mission be set to the torch. Yet the remnant of the “First Company of Texas Volunteers” under an azure blue flag emblazoned with the words “God and Liberty” would not "STAND DOWN." In the days that followed 26-year-old Lt. Col. William Barret Travis with a nondescript contingency of 20 Army Regulars, cast his lot with those preferring to "die in these ditches than give up to the enemy."


Commandancy of the Alamo Bejar, Feby. 24, 1836

To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World ... I am besieged, by a thousand.... The enemy has demanded a surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are to be put to the sword.... 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 & everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid.... 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 & that of his country − Victory or Death.

William Barret TravisLt. Col. comdt.
P.S. The Lord is on our side....

On March 3, 1836 in his final communiqué, Travis writes "... if my countrymen do not rally to my relief, I am determined to perish in the defense of this place, and my bones shall reproach my country for her neglect.... All the citizens of this place that have not joined us are with the enemy fighting against us. Let the government declare them public enemies...."

The words and the acts of the righteous have a legacy. At dawn on the first of March, responding to Travis' plea, Lt. George C. Kimble with his "Immortal 32" fought their way into the beleaguered mission, never to leave. Unbeknown to the besieged defenders, that night in Washington-on-the-Brazos, delegates were frantically preparing the final draft of The Texas Declaration of Independence. The following day declared, "Here a Nation was born." Four days later at dawn, the Alamo's defenders ratified it with their blood.

Within four fortnights, the Texan militia came to the aid of their "fallen" brethren charging Santa Anna's far superior forces, to the rallying cry "Remember the Alamo!" The slaughter was "frightful to behold", an overwhelming defeat for the merciless Santa Anna who was later found cowering among the multitude of prisoners. That evening peace had come to the commonwealth of Texas.

What is the legacy of America? As coming days threaten her "Death," will we "STAND DOWN" or shout a rallying cry? Taking no prisoners of those who make "lies" their refuge, and by "silence" Truth a prisoner? Honor demands but one choice! " − Victory or Death."