Letters From The Past

[joe817]

The following is a letter written by William Travis inside the Alamo to Sam Houston:

""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 a 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"

[ Phew. Pretty stirring words. God Bless Texas! ]

[joe817]

The following is a letter from Fannin to Robinson:

"Head Quarters Army of Texas Fort Defiance Goliad Feby 25, 1836. To the Actg. Govr. & Council of the Provl. Govt. of Texas. Herewith you have my account currect with the provisional Govt. of expenditures made under my authority as Agent- You also have a list of Drafts drawn on the Prov: Govt. & a list of Receipts sundry persons which will explain themselves The sum of two hundred & ten Dollars paid H. Foley will be charged to the Georgia Battalion of Volunteers, (being for articles furnished them for private purposes, to wit seventy gallons of Brandy) and will be deducted from their pay You will perceive that the amount of one Hundred Dollars is to be deducted from the pay of several officers by reference to the Memorandum of Drafts. The amt of Cash advanced to Capts. Cool, & Burke & private G. F. Leonard is in the same situation and will be deducted from their pay by the proper officer- also the amt. $15.- each from Ball & Simpson as per rects. & a/c.

I have to remark in reference to the Amt. of Two thousand (2,000) Dollars received from Gay by Col. F. W. Johnson, that before declining the appointment of agent by Col. J. he received this amount ($2,000) in the presence of Col. Wm. Pettus & Thomas F. McKinney for which he has not accounted to me or funrished a voucher or evidence of expenditure I send also the account of Capt. Jack Shackleford of the Red Rovers for settlement. Very Respectfully Your obet. Servt. J. W. Fannin Jr. Col Comt Army Texas & Agt. Provl. Govt P. S. I enclose duplicates of Drfts drawn- vouchers &c with the exception of a few expenditures made for the public service in expresses &c JWF

--I am well aware that my present movement toward Bexar is any thing but a military one. The appeal of Cols. Travis & Bowie cannot however pass unnoticed- particularly by troops now on the field Sanguine, chivalrous Volunteers- Much must be risked to relieve the besieged- If however I hear of the fall of Bexar before I reach them, I shall retire on this place & complete the fortification now in state of forwardness & prepare for a vigorous defence, waiting anxiously in any event for the arrival of reinforcements from the Interior I leave from 80 to 100 men for the present defence of this place with the expectation of a speedy reinforcement from Matagorda &c J. W. Fannin Jr."

[Addressed: ] Public Service His Excellency James W. Robinson Actg Govr. & Genl. Council Texas Washington Express

[joe817]

John Sowers(one of Fannin's men at Goliad/Fort Defiance), writes the following letter to his sister:

"Fort Defiance, Goliad, Texas, Feb. 25th, 1836. My dear Sister:-From the hurry of a preparation to march, I have stolen a moment to write to you. An express from San Antonio de Bexar received here a few moments since, with intelligence that the Mexican Army under Santa Ana, were in sight of that place and preparing to attack it. He heard the firing of cannon after he had gained some distance towards us. He estimated their strength at from three to five thousand men. Bexar has a garrison of 156. They have retired to the Alamo, determined to hold out to the last and have solicited reinforcements from us. We have 420 men here, and have been engaged in repairing the Fort, and mounting artillery. Commanding Officer, in the field, Gen. Fannin, has made Goliad his Head Quarters, from the conviction of its importance, as being advantageously located for a depot of reinforcements, clothing, provisions and military stores. It commands the sea coast particularly, Aransas and Matagorda Bays,and consequently the only convenient landings for vessels of any tonnage. The only troops in the held at this time are volunteers from the United States, and they probably do not exceed 800, and perhaps but one third of them are near the scene of action. He was therefore compelled to remain in this place in order to prepare it as a depot, and to forward provisions, et cetra. From the want of cavalry, we have been unable to obtain any accurate information of the enemy's movements. Thus Bexar has been left exposed and the Mexicans availing themselves of the advantages thus unavoidably offered them, have marched against it with all their force. With a forlorne hope of 320 men, we will start tonight or tomorrow morning at the dawn of day in order to relieve the gallant little garrison, who have so nobly resolved to sustain themselves until our arrival.

Our force is small compared with that of the enemy. It is a desperate resort, but we hope the God of Battles will be with us-that victory will again perch on the bright little banner of Texian liberty and that the civic militia, now aroused to a sense of their danger and the proximity of their implacable and mercenary foe, will appear in their strength, that the young lion will arise in the majesty of his untried strength and our youthful Republic make herself worthy of the high destiny at which she aims. If by forced marches we can reach Bexar, a distance of more than a hundred miles, and cut our way through the enemy's lines to our friends in the Fort, our united force thus advantageously posted, may perhaps be sufficient to hold out until the militia can be collected to reinforce us. If the militia doe not rendovous promptly, I apprehend much. But the sin be upon their own heads. We have resolved to do our duty and to perish under the walls of the Alamo, if stern necessity requires it. We are but poorly prepared to meet the formidable host of Mexicans, arrayed against us.

I am now acting aid-de-camp to the Comander in chief, having resigned my appointment of the Adjutancy to the 1st Regiment. I have also been acting as chief engineer to the post and but for this occurrence, would have had it in a tolerable state of defense in a short time. The ordnance and magazine were also placed under my charge. From this circumstance, you will readily and rationally infer, that there are but few professional soldiers here, when one of my age with but few months experience has so many important trusts confided to him. My duties have been arduous in the extreme, having besides the above appointments, frequently to drill the Regiment and companies, and this must be my excuse for not having written home as often as I might have done otherwise. By the way, I have not heard from home either by letter or otherwise since I left New York. Why have you not written?

And now my dear sister, I would ask you to took upon my situation in its proper light, and to indulge in no unnecessary fears. I am a soldier both morrally and physically. Death is one of the chances of the game I play and if it falls to my lot, I shall not murmur, and you should not regret. I shall write to you as soon as some thing decissive occurs. We shall probably be attacked by the Mexicans on our way to Bexar, and if I should die, my services will entitle me to 1800 or more acres of land which will be valuable. It will revert to my representatives, and father should claim it. Tell him I owe Mr. Hagerty in N. Y. and a portion of it can be applied to the discharge of that debt. We will take with us, four peices of artillery, two sixes and two fours.-Now is the time for the people of the U.S. to do some thing for Texas. Can nothing be done in Staunton?

Give my love to all the family, tell mother to remember me, and tell them all to write to me. They are calling for me now. In the greatest haste, Ever your brother, John Sowers Brooks To Miss Mary Ann Brooks"

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In November 1835, Robert McAlpin Williams received an appointment a major from the Provisional Government to command the Corps of Rangers, a three-company battalion to be organized for defense of the frontier. Williamson, a friend of William B. Travis, became involved in the effort to reinforce the Alamo.

He writes the following letter from Gonzales dated February 25:

"To the Governor and Council of Texas

By Express from San Antonio under the date of the 23d instant I have received information that 2000 Mexicans under the command of Siezma have arrived in Bexar and have taken possession of the public square compelling the American troops (150 in number) to confine themselves to the Alamo the American Troops are determined to defend the place to the last and have called upon their fellow citizens for aid under the 4th rule of instructions to me directed by your Excellency dated 15th day of the present month, I have written the following communication to Capt. J. J. Tomlison commanding the first detachment of the Ranging corps

"Sir
Information directed from San Antonio under the date of yesterday is calculated to call forth the United Efforts of all Texas Two thousand troops under the command of Siezma have arrived in that place and are in possession of the Public square, compelling our Troops (150 in number) to retire to the Alamo where they are at present and determined to remain until death or victory, the implore aid from their fellow citizens and solicit it speedily--Provisions and men is the cry. Are the frontiers of Colorado safe? are there no hostile Indians bearing materially upon the frontier of Texas. If there be none you will forthwith fall down to Bastrop and wait further orders from me. It would be well for the inhabitants of Bastrop to keep out spies in the direction of San Antonio lest a foraging party of Mexicans surprise them, every inch of ground must be disputed by us until we can communicate and march against and crush them--If the Indians are still troublesome on the frontier I would suggest to the settlers the propriety of concentrating in the different settlements and build Block houses or forts for their better defence, in the morning I will proceed to Gonzales and will advise and command what I conceive best to be done on this frontier. The information comes by Express from Col Travis and may be relied on. Do for the best and act promptly under the instructions herein contained, with sentiments of regard

I am yours
R. M. Williamson
Maj. Comdg. &c.
To Col. J. J. Tomlison

The foregoing communication I have caused to be forwarded by express and rest assured that no exertions on my part will be wanting to give the earliest aid practicable to our fellow soldiers in the Alamo. Citizens of Texas arouse, save your country and your liberties all must now act and act in unison, I am in haste

Your obt servt
R. M. Williamson
Comdg. the Rangers--