Library Entry # 642
Marshall’s Law Dateline – Title “Talking Trash Patriots Worthless” is fact not question. This writing exercise contains three letters from Colonel Travis under siege at Alamo rarely read by Texans and Americans.
Writing exercise concept “what if” examples.
1. What if those signing Declaration of Independence had not signed the document for fear of angering tyrannical King; much like Republican leaders are too cowardly to challenge self appointed emperor Obama.
2. What if American patriots had left Valley Forge, because it was just too cold to fight for liberty?
3. What if Colonel Travis’s volunteer and regular troops had crossed Travis’s line and left Colonel Travis alone in Alamo?
4. What if General Houston had not burned the “escape” bridge so his troops could cut and run if the battle became too violent?
5. What if brave Americans in every battle during World War II and since then in national security conflicts had decided to walk away rather than fight because they might get wounded or worse?
6. What if Heaven’s Son had said being crucified to offer salvation to sinners seems too violent; and had renounced being Heaven’s Son? How different would your life be now?
7. In Fact how different would your life be now if untold millions of Americans who made sacrifices so you could remain free had just been trash talking patriots?
Following three letters from Colonel Travis are rarely read by many Texans and most Americans. Reader can reference more about Colonel Travis and General Houston at Marshall’s Law Texas Drifter Library Entry # 641 – Texas Drifter: War of Words Matter.
FIRST LETTER (letters present as written with out grammatical changes)
To Major-General Sam Houston
February 25, 1836
HEADQUARTERS, FORT OF THE ALAMO: Sir; On the 23rd of Feb., the enemy in large force entered the city of Bexar, which could not be prevented, as I had not sufficient force to occupy both positions. Col. Bartes, the Adjutant-Major of the President-General Santa Anna, demanded surrender at discretion, calling us foreign rebels. I answered them with a cannon shot, upon which the enemy commenced a bombardment with a five inch howitzer, which together with a heavy cannonade, has been kept up incessantly ever since. I instantly sent express to Col. Fannin, at Goliad, and to the people of Gonzales and San Felipe. Today at 10 o'clock a.m. some two or three hundred Mexicans crossed the river below and came up under cover of the houses until they arrived within virtual point blank shot, when we opened a heavy discharge of grape and canister on them, together with a well directed fire from small arms which forced them to halt and take shelter in the houses about 90 or 100 yards from our batteries. The action continued to rage about two hours, when the enemy retreated in confusion, dragging many of their dead and wounded.
During the action, the enemy kept up a constant bombardment and discharge of balls, grape, and canister. We know from actual observation that many of the enemy were wounded -- while we, on our part, have not lost a man. Two or three of our men have been slightly scratched by pieces of rock, but have not been disabled.
I take great pleasure in stating that both officers and men conducted themselves with firmness and bravery. Lieutenant Simmons of cavalry acting as infantry, and Captains Carey, Dickinson and Blair of the artillery, rendered essential service, and Charles Despallier and Robert Brown gallantly sallied out and set fire to houses which afforded the enemy shelter, in the face of enemy fire.
Indeed, the whole of the men who were brought into action conducted themselves with such heroism that it would be injustice to discriminate. The Hon. David Crockett was seen at all points, animating the men to do their duty.
Our numbers are few and the enemy still continues to approximate his works to ours. I have every reason to apprehend an attack from his whole force very soon; but I shall hold out to the last extremity, hoping to secure reinforcements in a day or two. Do hasten on aid to me as rapidly as possible, as from the superior number of the enemy, it will be impossible for us to keep them out much longer.
If they overpower us, we fall a sacrifice at the shrine of our country, and we hope prosperity and our country will do our memory justice. Give me help, oh my country! Victory or Death!
W. Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Com
SECOND LETTER
To the President of the Convention
March 3, 1836
COMMANDANCY OF THE ALAMO, BEJAR: In the present confusion of the political authorities of the country, and in the absence of the commander-in-chief, I beg leave to communicate to you the situation of this garrison.
You have doubtless already seen my official report of the action of the 25th ult. made on that day to General Sam Houston, together with the various communications heretofore sent by express. I shall, therefore, confine myself to what has transpired since that date...
I have so fortified this place, that the walls are generally proof against cannon-balls; and I shall continue to entrench on the inside, and strengthen the walls by throwing up dirt. At least two hundred shells have fallen inside our works without having injured a single man; indeed, we have been so fortunate as not to lose a man from any cause, and we have killed many of the enemy. The spirits of my men are still high, although they have had much to depress them.
We have contended for ten days against an enemy whose numbers are variously estimated at from fifteen hundred to six thousand ... A report was circulated that Santa Anna himself was with the enemy, but I think it was false.
A reinforcement of one thousand men is now entering Bexar from the west, and I think it more than probable that Santa Anna is now in town, from the rejoicing we hear.
Col. Fannin is said to be on the march to this place with reinforcements; but I fear it is not true, … I will, however, do the best I can under the circumstances, and I feel confident that the determined valour and desperate courage, heretofore evinced by my men, will not fail them in the last struggle, and although they may be sacrifieced to the vengeance of a Gothic enemy, the victory will cost the enemy so dear, that it will be worse for him than a defeat.
I hope your honorable body will hasten on reinforcements, ammunition, and provisions to our aid, as soon as possible … The power of Santa Anna is to be met here or in the colonies; we had better meet them here, than to suffer a war of desolation to rage our settlements. A blood-red banner waves from the church of Bexar, and in the camp above us, in token that the war is one of vengeance against rebels; they have declared us as such, and demanded that we should surrender at discretion or this garrison should be put to the sword.
Their threats have had no influence on me or my men, but to make all fight with desperation, and that high-souled courage which characterizes the patriot, who is willing to die in defense of his country's liberty and his own honor.
The citizens of this municipality are all our enemies except those who have joined us heretofore; we have but three Mexicans now in the fort; those who have not joined us in this extremity, should be declared public enemies, and their property should aid in paying the expenses of the war.
The bearer of this will give you your honorable body, a statement more in detail, should he escape through the enemy's lines. God and Texas! --
Victory or Death!!
P.S. The enemy's troops are still arriving, and the reinforcements will probably amount to two or three thousand.
THIRD LETTER
To Jesse Grimes
March 3, 1836
Do me the favor to send the enclosed to its proper destination instantly. I am still here, in fine spirits and well to do, with 145 men…
All our couriers have gotten out without being caught and a company of 32 men from Gonzales got in two nights ago, and Colonel Bonham got in today by coming between the powder house and the enemy's upper encampment. … under the flag of independence, we are ready to peril our lives a hundred times a day, and to drive away the monster who is fighting us under a blood-red flag, threatening to murder all prisoners and make Texas a waste desert.
I shall have to fight the enemy on his own terms, yet I am ready to do it, and if my countrymen do not rally to my relief, I am determined to perish in the defense of this place, and my bones shall reproach my country for her neglect…
My respects to all friends, confusion to all enemies. God Bless you.
(End Three Colonel Travis Letters)
Assignment Question: First two steps to saving Heaven’s favorite constitutional ethical capitalist republic are:
1. Know what beliefs are worth defending
2. Know both yours’ and America’s Judases and mortal enemies (reader can list). Judases should include Republican leaders who go along too get along with America’s domestic mortal enemies that reader can list. TRUE or FALSE
Bonus Question – General Eisenhower thought people who lived around and did business with Hitler’s death camps were accessories by their silence. Republican leaders and others, who tolerate with their silence possibly millions of deaths from Obama Care, are also accessories to domestic political genocide. TRUE or FALSE
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