Travis to Gonzales: Send help

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History, one would think, should be infallible. As long as someone without bias is recording it, then history is simply a chronicle of what happened at a given time and place.

No one questions the authenticity of the “victory or death” letter Col. William Barret Travis penned from the Alamo in 1836 seeking reinforcements to help defend the besieged mission. Travis’ handwritten letter, renowned as a “declaration of defiance” and a “masterpiece of American patriotism,” is on display at the Alamo through March 7.

Citizens of Gonzales are encouraged to attend a special rally commemorating the 41 men from Gonzales — including the Immortal 32 — who died in defense of the iconic mission. The rally, scheduled for 5 p.m. Friday, will include a brief commemoration at the monument dedicated to the Immortal 32, a roll call of the 41 from Gonzales and then a group viewing of Travis’s letter.

While the return of the letter to the Alamo for the first time in 177 years is monumental, there was actually another letter sent to Gonzales.

Specifically addressed to Judge Andrew Ponton and the citizens of Gonzales, the letter was written Feb. 23, 1836, the same day as the more famous “victory or death” letter. But the letter to Gonzales, the closest city to San Antonio in 1836, was much shorter than the impassioned plea now on display at the Alamo.

According to the Texas Historical Association Quarterly and former Gonzales County Historical Commission chairman Bob Burchard, who has a framed copy of the Gonzales letter, Travis wrote specifically to Gonzales requesting help against the thousands of Mexicans awaiting Santa Anna’s order to attack.

To Andrew Ponton, Judge, and the Citizens of Gonzales:

The enemy in large force is in sight. We want men and provisions. Send them to us. We have 150 men and are determined to defend the Alamo to the last. Give us assistance.

W.B. Travis

Lieut.-Col. Commanding

P.S. Send an express to San Felipe with the news night and day.

Travis

In response to Travis’ plea, the Immortal 32 arrived at the Alamo on March 1, 1836. On March 2, Texas declared its independence from Mexico. On March 6, Santa Anna’s forces overwhelmed the Alamo, killing every Texan defending the mission.

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