On this day in 1836. . . . Travis' letter

[echeese]

On this day in 1836. .Travis would pen his famous letter from the Alamo

To The People of Texas and

All Americans In The World --

February 24, 1836

Fellow citizens & compatriots --

I am beseiged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna -- 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, & every thing 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.

 

[armadillo slim]

all Texans celebrate that famous letter.

 

[Topstarr]

I remember we were ready.....Fight on

 

[RoyalCrowns]

VICTORY or DEATH . . . What a courageous statement. Thank God for all those with the courage to stare pending doom in the face and give it the finger. A hearty Happy Birthday to the greatest state in the union! Long Live Texas!

 

[Juan]

On this day, in 1836, over 300 Texians are executed by the evil dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Goliad Massacre.

 

[JimR]

On this day, in 1836, over 300 Texians are executed by the evil dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Goliad Massacre.

thanks in great part to abysmal leadership by Col. James Fannin.

 

[Sirhornsalot]

thanks in great part to abysmal leadership by Col. James Fannin.

Yep, that and some fighting over who would lead.

 

[Etex Horn]

According to T. R. Fehrenbach's "Lone Star"....well before the Mexican army arrived and took Fannin and his men prisoner, Fannin decided he and his men would relieve the Alamo. I can't name the date they marched out of Goliad, going off memory here, but I remember thinking they would have reached the Alamo before March 6, the morning it fell. Anyhow, according to Fehrenbach's account, the men marched a few miles out of Goliad toward San Antonio, then one of the supply wagons lost a wheel. Apparently Fannin was superstitious; he took this as a sign the venture was ill-fated and he and his troops returned to Goliad. What kind of difference would an additional 400 men have made at the Alamo? We'll never know. Later, when the Mexican forces approached Goliad, Fannin led his men out a few miles east of Goliad and allowed them to become surrounded in an open prairie with no cover. They soon surrendered. James Fannin was indeed quite a failure as a leader.