William Barrett Travis and the Impact of His Letter Victory or Death

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William Barret Travis a hero of the Texas revolution impacted the American people with his meaningful letter requesting aid. Travis wrote a very inspirational letter addressed not only to the people of Texas but also to all the Americans in the world. Which impacted the way American’s view patriotism and cherish their liberty and their beliefs.

Travis was born in 1809, and died in battle defending the fort known as the Alamo against overwhelming Mexican forces in 1836. He was the oldest out of his 11 brothers and sisters. His parents were Mark Stallworth and Jemima Stallworth. Travis officially became a lieutenant colonel in January 1836. On that same year the governor Henry Smith ordered for Travis and 100 reinforcements to arrive at San Antonio. James Bowie also arrived at the fort. The Texas army knew that they were outnumbered; therefore, Travis was sent a very deep profound letter to all Patriot Americans for aid. On March 1, 1836 Travis received 32 men led by Albert Martin and George C. Kimball. The reinforcements arrived, due to the meaningful letter Travis sent out to any that would listen. The town of Gonzales was the few to comply to Travis’s letter to provide reinforcements even though the people from Gonzales knew it was a lost cause due to the impact of lieutenant colonel’s words stating that Travis was determined to sustain as long as possible and die like a soldier whoever forgets what is due to his own honor and that of his country –Victory or Death. The Gonzales reinforcements were the few that came to Travis’s aid.
Another set of reinforcements led by David Crockett was able to slip past through the Mexican lines on the morning of March 4. Gathering about 50 to 60 volunteers due to the impact of lieutenant colo...

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...of the crucial replies to Travis’s letter even after the lieutenant colonels’ death was the defeat a decade later of Santa Ana’s army led by Sam Houston which is currently is the backbone of the history of Texas Revolution.

Works Cited

Texas and Texans. 1. 1. New York, New York, Columbus, Ohio, Chicago, Illinois, Peoria, Illinois, Woodland Hills, California: National Geographic, Mc Graw Hill, 2003. 232-233. Print.

"The Letter." travisletter.com. The Texas General Land Office, n.d. Web. 1 Feb 2014. .

Archie , McDonald. "William Barrett Travis." Texas State Historical Association. Texas State Historical Association, 1 Feb 2012. Web. 1 Feb 2014. .

Paul Robert, Walker. Remember the Alamo. 1. 1. Washington, DC: National Geographic, Mc Graw Hill, 2007. 47. Print.

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