March 24, 1836

[Shotgun Franklin]

Commandancy of the Alamo------
Bejar 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 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 wall -----
I shall never Surrender or retreat
Then, I can on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism &
every thing dear to the American character, to come to our aid,
with an dispatch ----- The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily &
will no doubt increase to three or four thousand in four or five days.
If this can 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

[Shotgun Franklin]

I post this here because as a native born Texan it's not really history to me.
When I go to the old Fort I can see and hear the battle rage and the cannons roar.
A vision of brave men fighting for what they believed in passes before me.
As I walk the grounds I feel the blood under my feet and see the men as they fall
before my eyes.
I lament that as I grow older and grayer I don't have a wall to take stand on.
I hope that my life was worth their sacrifice.
'Remember The Alamo'.

[Charlie Bowdre]

Shotgun
I am a long way from Texas but every year at this time my thoughts turn to this seige.
When I think of their stand I too often look to my life to see if I would have measured up.
I honor their memory.

dutchy

[Trailrider]

To the valiant Texians who held out for thirteen days of glory!