William Barret Travis (August 1809–March 6, 1836) was an early figure in Texas history. He was the commander of the Texas revolutionary forces at the historic Battle of the Alamo.

Early life

Travis was born in Saluda County, South Carolina, the eldest of eleven children of Mark and Jemima Travis; records differ as to whether his date of birth was the first or ninth of August. At the age of nine, he moved with his family to the town of Sparta in Conecuh County, Alabama, where he received much of his education. He later enrolled in a school in nearby Claiborne , where he eventually worked as an assistant teacher. Travis then became an attorney and, at age 19, married one of his former students, 16-year-old Rosanna Cato . The couple stayed in Claiborne and had a son, Charles Edward, in 1829. Travis began publication of a newspaper, became a Mason, and joined the Alabama militia. For unknown reasons, Travis fled Alabama in early 1831, leaving his wife, son, and unborn daughter (Susan Isabella) behind, to start over in Texas.

Texas

Upon his arrival in Texas, which was a part of Mexico at the time, Travis purchased land from Stephen F. Austin and started a law practice in Anahuac. He played a role in the growing friction between American settlers and the Mexican government and was one of the leaders of the "War Party", a group of militants opposed to Mexican rule. He was a pivotal figure in the Anahuac Disturbances that helped to precipitate war.

The Texas Revolution started in October 1835. Travis was commisioned as a lieutenant colonel of cavalry and became the chief recruiting officer for the army. In January 1836, he was ordered by the provisional government to go to the Alamo with volunteers to reinforce the 120 men already there. Travis arrived at the Alamo with thirty reinforcements. Within a short time, he had become the official commander of the Texian troops when Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna attacked the mission on February 23, 1836. William Travis was killed on March 6th with the other 188 defenders during the Battle of the Alamo after what many consider a heroic defense.

Travis's letter from the Alamo

On February 24, 1836, during Santa Anna's siege of the Alamo, Travis wrote a letter addressed "To the People of Texas and 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 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 have since found in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels & got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.

Travis

This letter, while unable to bring aid to the garrison at the Alamo, did much to motivate the Texan army and helped to rally support in America for the cause of Texan independence. It also cemented Travis's status as a hero of the Texas Revolution.

References

• Brief biography of Travis at Lone Star Junction
• Detailed biography from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Timeline of the life of William Barret Travis