(August 9, 1809 - March 6, 1836) Co-commander with James Bowie, siege of the Alamo. Born in South Carolina; moved with family in 1818 to Alabama, where at 19 he was admitted to the bar; came to Texas 1831. In anahuac he joined william H. Jack and others resisting tyranny of customs collector Juan Davis Bradburn and was jailed 50 days in the fort (1832). In 1835 he led in capture and disarming of Mexican garrison reoccupying Fort Anahuac. As lieutenant of volunteers sent to key city San Antonio in war against Mexican Dictator Santa Anna, he drew men and food into the Alamo on Feb. 23, 1836, and defied with a cannon shot Santa Anna's call to surrender. On Feb. 24, civilian leader James Bowie fell ill, leaving 26-year-old Travis in charge. At Travis' call for aid, 32 men from Gonzales joined the Alamo forces, but Fannin's 500 failed to march in time from Goliad. With doom upon him, Travis drew line on floor to separate men wishing to leave from those staying; only one left. the 182 remaining-- including hero Davy Crockett-- made Santa Anna's army of 2,500 pay dearly for triumph on March 6, 1836. Travis' last message, telling of his resolution to achieve victory or death in face of the foe's overwhelming numbers, has been called one of the world's noblest documents. Incise on base: Erected by Chambers County Historical Survey Committee Guy C. Jackson III, Chairman
Travis, William Barret
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Travis, William Barret is a historical marker in Anahuac, Chambers County, dedicated in 1971. It is one of 39 historical markers documented in Chambers County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 81 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 29.7556, -94.6878 near Anahuac. The nearest cataloged historic site is Williamson, Robert McAlpin (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Fort Anahuac, Bradburn, Juan Davis, and Fort Anahuac.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5071009135. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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