Fellow Citizens and Compatriots
I am besieged
with a thousand or more of
the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment
and cannonade for 24 hours and have not lost a man. The enemy has
demanded
surrender at discretion, otherwise, the garrison are be put to the
sword,
if the fort is taken. I have answered the demand with a cannon shot,
and
our flag still waves proudly over the wall. I
shall never surrender or
retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of
Liberty, of patriotism, & of
everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all
dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and 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 and die
like a solder who never forgets what is to due his honor and that of
his
country.
Victory or death
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comd't