1836: Victory or Death!

ESSENTIONAL QUESTION

What is patriotism?

CONTEXT

The Alamo began as a Spanish mission near San Antonio, now in the state of Texas, in 1718. A battle there would spark a rally cry, “Remember the Alamo,” for those who fought for Texas Independence. One of it’s commanders, William Barret Travis (1809-1836), was born in South Carolina and moved to Alabama when a boy. He went to school and later studied law in Claiborne, Alabama; however, he was soon in debt and fled to Mexico to earn money and avoid arrest. He purchased land from Stephen F. Austin and became active in the military forces opposing Mexican rule in the area which would become Texas. He was ordered to take a force to reinforce the Texan garrison at the Alamo Mission, which was greatly undermanned and undersupplied. Santa Anna, commander of the opposing Mexican forces, launched a 13-day siege of the mission. During the siege Travis wrote this letter addressed to “The People of Texas & all Americans in the world” and gave it to a courier to deliver. The letter did not bring aid to those at the Alamo; the mission was overrun and the remains of the defenders were burned. The letter did, however, rally support for Texan independence from Mexico.

TEXT

Commandancy of the Alamo
Fby. 24th, 1836

To the People of Texas & all Americans in the world–

Fellow Citizens & Compatriots: I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Ana–I have sustained a continual Bombardment & 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, & 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, with all dispatch–The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily & 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 & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor & that of his country–

VICTORY OR DEATH

William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.

P.S. The Lord is on our side–When the enemy appeared in sight we had not three bushels of corn–We hae since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves–

Travis

INQUIRY

  1. What is a compatriot?
  2. How do you know that Travis refuses to surrender to Santa Anna?
  3. What will be the consequences of this refusal to surrender?
  4. According to Travis, why should people come to their aid?
  5. What kind of appeal is Travis making when he says, “The Lord is on our side”?
  6. What is patriotism?
  7. Are there things you would defend even if you were hopelessly outnumbered? Why?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

thealamo.org

Three Roads to the Alamo: The Lives and Fortunes of David Crockett, James Bowie, and William Barret Travis by William C. Davis

https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/alamo-battle-of-the

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