The Forgotten Letter of Travis and The Alamo's True Purpose
In this powerful episode recorded on March 3rd, Daniel Miller reveals the lesser-known letter penned by William Barrett Travis to Jesse Grimes on March 3, 1836 - a correspondence that eclipses even the famous "Victory or Death" letter. Miller reads the full, passionate text in which Travis declares that he and his men are fighting specifically for Texas independence, stating plainly they would surrender if independence wasn't declared. This forgotten letter destroys modern revisionist narratives about the Alamo's purpose and challenges today's Texas independence supporters to measure their commitment against the ultimate sacrifice made by Travis and the Alamo defenders. As Miller explains, "They weren't willing to die for partial subjugation" - they were fighting for complete independence, just as the TNM does today. A moving reflection during the "High Holy Days" of Texas history that connects the past directly to our present fight.The Complete LetterThe full text of William Barrett Travis's March 3, 1836 letter to Jesse Grimes reads:"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. I have held this place for ten days against a force variously estimated from 1,500 to 6,000, and shall continue to hold it till I get relief from my country or I will perish in its defense. We have had a shower of bombs and cannon balls continually falling among us the whole time, yet none of us has fallen. We have been miraculously preserved. You have no doubt seen my official report of the action of the 24th ult. in which we repulsed the enemy with considerable loss; on the night of the 25th they made another attempt to charge us in the rear of the fort, but we received them gallantly by a discharge of grape shot and musquertry, and they took to their scrapers immediately. They are now encamped in entrenchments on all sides of us.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….Let the convention go on and make a declaration of independence, and we will then understand, and the world will understand, what we are fighting for. If independence is not declared, I shall lay down my arms, and so will the men under my command. But 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. With 500 men more, I will drive Sesma beyond the Rio Grande, and I will visit vengeance on the enemy fighting against us. Let the government declare them public enemies, otherwise she is acting a suicidal part. I shall treat them as such, unless I have superior orders to the contrary.My respects to all friends, confusion to all enemies. God Bless you."
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