Who wrote a letter from the Alamo? Describe the letter. What was he asking for in the letter? How many Mexican soldiers did he say were holding them under siege? Who was the leader of the Mexican troops and what did he demand?
All I have is that William Travis wrote the letter. Can anyone help please?
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/travis-letter
All I got from that site was the answer to "How many Mexican soldiers did he say were holding them under siege?"
To All the Inhabitants of Texas:
In a few words there is 2000 Mexican soldiers in Bexar, and 150 Americans in the Alamo. Sesma is at the head of them, and from best accounts that can be obtained, they intend to show no quarter. If every man cannot turn out to a man every man in the Alamo will be murdered.
They have not more than 8 or 10 days provisions. They say they will defend it or die on the ground. Provisions, ammunition and Men, or suffer your men to be murdered in the Fort. If you do not turn out Texas is gone. I left Bexar on the 23rd at 4 P.M. By order of
W.V. [sic] Travis
L. Smithers[31][Note 6]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Alamo
To the People of Texas & 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[25][Note 4]
Yes, I can help you. The famous letter written from the Alamo was indeed authored by William Barret Travis, a lawyer and commander of the Texian forces defending the Alamo during the Texas Revolution.
The letter is known as the "Victory or Death" letter and was written on February 24, 1836, during the siege of the Alamo by the Mexican army led by General Santa Anna. In the letter, Travis addressed the people of Texas and the United States, urgently seeking reinforcements for the Alamo.
Travis described the dire situation and the imminent threat they faced. He mentioned that they were under siege by a large Mexican army and were in desperate need of reinforcements. In the letter, Travis also mentioned that over 1,000 Mexican troops were surrounding the Alamo.
General Santa Anna was indeed the leader of the Mexican troops, and he demanded that the Texian defenders surrender and submit themselves to his authority. However, Travis declared that they would never surrender and appealed for support and assistance in defending the Alamo.
To summarize:
- William Barret Travis wrote the letter from the Alamo.
- The letter is known as the "Victory or Death" letter.
- Travis urgently sought reinforcements.
- He mentioned being under siege by over 1,000 Mexican soldiers.
- General Santa Anna was the leader of the Mexican troops and demanded surrender.
If you are interested in reading the actual letter, I suggest conducting a search online, such as "Alamo letter of William Travis," where you can find a copy of the original letter and learn more about its historical significance.