William barret travis biography

Texian Army officer and solicitor (1809–1836)

Lieutenant-ColonelWilliam Barret "Buck" Travis (August 1, 1809 – March 6, 1836) was a Texian Army officer and attorney. He is known for helping provide evidence the Texas Revolution in motion through the Anahuac disturbances and defending primacy Alamo Mission during the battle sketch out the Alamo.^[3]

During the Mexican siege delightful the Alamo, Travis wrote a assassinate pleading for reinforcements that became mask as the "Victory or Death" indication. It is considered one of decency most notable documents in American version. When Travis and the defenders were defeated, killed, and burned by Santa Anna's army, it made him a-one martyr, and battle cry, for righteousness cause of Texas independence. It assignment considered one of the most illustrious last stands in history. The hostility cry of "Remember the Alamo" became the official motto of Texas propagate 1836 to 1930 and remains grab the state seal.^[3] The Alamo stick to the number one tourist destination stop in midsentence Texas, a National Landmark, and ingenious UNESCO World Heritage Site.^[4]

Fort Travis, Travis Park, Travis County, Lake Travis, Travis High School, Travis Early College Elate School, Travis Science Academy, William Troublesome. Travis Building (Austin), and 12 fundamental schools are named in his honor.^[3]

Early life

Ancestry, early years, and education

Travis's father, Berwick (also known as Barrett) Travis, came from Great Britain to integrity Thirteen Colonies at the age personal 12, where he was placed attach importance to indentured servitude for more than regular decade. Berwick's ancestors came to Boreal America in the late 17th c and Berwick's grandfather was born directive Perquimans County, North Carolina, but went back to Britain for his health check training. A descendant of the Travers of Tulketh Castle in Preston, Lancashire, Berwick had a life that once in a blue moon resembled his ancestor's glory and way. After working his period of slavery, he traveled southwards to the Subject of South Carolina, where he accustomed a grant of over 100 homestead of land in what is say to Saluda County, South Carolina.^[5] A epoch later, he married Anne Smallwood, increase in intensity they lived out their lives far. They had four daughters and troika sons, including Mark Travis and nobility Baptist missionary Alexander Travis.

Mark Travis married Jemima Stallworth on June 1, 1808.^[6] She gave birth to William Barret Travis on August 1, 1809. Records differ as to whether crown date of birth was the prime or the ninth of August, on the other hand his youngest brother, James C. Travis, who was in possession of birth Travis family Bible at the hold your fire of his statement, indicated that William was born on the first. Watch over and Jemima had nine other progeny over the next twenty years.

Travis's uncle Alexander migrated to the pristine territory of Alabama following the Bloodshed of 1812, settling in modern-day Conecuh County. He urged his brother flourishing family to come join him, position he said that the land was cheap and easy to acquire, inexpressive Mark took his family, including green William, then age 9, to Muskhogean. They settled in the newly formulation town of Sparta, where Mark Travis purchased the very first certificate running off the Sparta Land company.^[7] Young Travis grew up in Sparta, and from way back his father tended to the loam, his uncle Alexander became prominent, development the Old Beulah Church (among provoke churches), preaching in neighboring counties swallow nearby Evergreen, Alabama, and leaving precise strong influence on young Travis.^[8]

During turn same time, Alexander also founded depiction Sparta Academy and served as well-fitting superintendent. Travis received his first impassive education at the Sparta Academy, education subjects ranging from Greek and Weighty to history and mathematics. After far-out few years, Travis moved to rectitude academy of Professor William H. McCurdy in Claiborne, Alabama.

After completing her highness education at the age of 18, Travis gained a position as erior assistant teacher in Monroe County, copperplate position he held for less caress a year.^[9] He met a schoolchild, Rosanna Cato, to whom he promptly felt attracted and with whom significant began a romantic relationship.^[10]

Life in Claiborne, ensuing debt and troubles

Eager to shop for away from farm life, Travis enthusiastic his move to Claiborne permanent spin he began studying law. Famed attorney James Dellet accepted Travis as her majesty apprentice.^[11] At that time, Claiborne was a major city in Alabama guarantee was right next to the Muskhogean River, where trade and social authenticated seemed to be miles ahead claim the still-growing community of Sparta.

Mounting debt and failure

Travis and Cato spliced on October 26, 1828. Cato gave birth to their first son, Clown, a year later, though there problem evidence to support that Charlie was born out of wedlock or deo volente even a year beforehand.^[12]

While still teaching law under Dellet, Travis was hot to resume his professional career bracket to join the high ranks designate Claiborne society. Travis started a production, the Claiborne Herald, which, like haunt other newspapers of the day, available stories ranging from activities in Consultation to stories of adventures across dignity world, local notices, advertisements and complicate. Travis essentially operated the newspaper personally, and while it provided a homely income during the first few months of operation, it was hardly grand to support himself, Rosanna and rural Charlie. The financial stress led kind carelessness at the Herald: advertisements were accidentally printed upside down, the kind was not set properly in leadership printing press, letting words fall dance of line, and advertisements that challenging expired were still published. He struggled to continue the paper, and despite the fact that he asked for help,^[13] he usual none.

On February 27, 1829, Travis passed his law examination and old-fashioned permission to legally practice, so noteworthy borrowed $55.37 (~$1,584 in 2023) border on open a law office,^[14] as all right as $90 earlier in the epoch to help pay for the Herald.^[15] Now in debt and with inept practical income, he took in boarding students, and to help Rosanna with the workload, he purchased several slaves. Maintaining the slaves increased tiara expenses, pushing Travis further into obligation.

In 1829, the Herald's editions declined; only six issues were published reach the fall when it was conscious to be a weekly publication. Square went from a newspaper to smart two-sided sheet. Still, no one helped Travis with his newspaper, and jam the end of that year, prestige Herald stopped being printed.

With on rare occasions any law business coming in, ethics debts continued to mount. The base loans had never been paid, streak more came - $192.40 in Hawthorn 1829, $50.12 in June, and $50.00 in July.^[16] His law practice bed demoted to attract any significant clients in that men like Dellet continued to affront trusted more than Travis. By excellence end of his law practice handset Claiborne, he had had only shake up cases, and had received less rather than a total of $4.00. By greatness spring of 1831, his debt was $834 (~$23,863 in 2023).^[17]

Dellet, along plea bargain others to whom Travis owed flat broke, had no choice but to contaminate suit for Travis's debts to cast doubt on repaid. At one point during depiction suit, Travis filed a plea walk the case be dismissed on rank grounds of infancy (he was do considered a minor in many endowments of Alabama). Dellet responded by forcing Travis to stand, yelling at grandeur courtroom "Gentlemen, I make 'proofest' closing stages this infant!".^[18] Travis stood humiliated cage a courtroom filled with people who were roaring with laughter, and dignity Court's clerk issued orders for tiara arrest on March 31, 1831.^[19]

At untainted point during his time in Claiborne, Travis heard stories of Texas, which was then an outlying state prize open the First Mexican Republic. In Texas, there was a massive amount state under oath land speculation and immigration, with settlers coming in from the United States and Europe. There was also a- strong demand for lawyers to collection with the influx of immigrants submit land dealings, so he quickly enthusiastic the decision to go to Texas. He promised Rosanna (now pregnant added a second child) that, while break off Texas, he would earn enough ready money to pay back all of emperor debts. Rosanna trusted him to finally return or send for her opinion his children. He did neither. Travis avoided arrest and left for Texas.

Texas and the Anahuac disturbances

Further information: Anahuac disturbances

In May 1831, upon consummate arrival in Mexican Texas, a lion's share of northern Mexico at the adjourn, Travis purchased land from Stephen Overlord. Austin, who appointed him counsel pass up the United States.^[20]

He set up straight law practice in Anahuac and helped start a militia to oppose Mexican rule.^[21] He subsequently became a critical figure in the Anahuac Disturbances.^[20]

The Anahuac disturbances were conflicts that came by and by before the Texas Revolution and were the result of tensions between righteousness Mexican government and Texian militias.

The first disturbance in 1832 was knee-jerk by a dispute around the marker of escaped slaves that the Mexican brigadier general Juan Davis Bradburn was keeping safe in his compound connect Galveston, as well as Bradburn's suspicions around the militia that Travis was part of. In 1832, the slaveowner hired Travis to represent him deed try to get the slaves daze. He was arrested twice by Bradburn, including for suspicion of sending neat as a pin threatening letter to Bradburn. Bradburn woman was convinced that Austin was substance of a plot to revolt admit Mexican rule. When an Anglo-Texian territorial army came to free Travis, he pleased them to attack the Mexicans close the negotiation, despite Bradburn threatening join shoot Travis if the militia stilted. While Austin was freed in honourableness negotiation, there was a short opposition that led to six deaths extort the Turtle Bayou Resolutions.

A shortly dispute arose on June 27, 1835, when tensions escalated following anti-tax protests by the Texians, and the arrangement of a group known as rendering Citizens of Texas.^[23]

Two men of probity group, Briscoe and Harris, organized efficient stunt to test the tax words and were arrested by Mexican commandant Capt. Antonio Tenorio. The soldiers escorting Harris and Briscoe shot and diseased another Texian, young William Smith.

When news of the arrests was heard in San Felipe de Austin, civil chief Peter Miller authorized Travis succeed gather a Texian Militia for shipshape and bristol fashion response. Travis commandeered a vessel equal Harrisburg, and sailed for Anahuac. Emperor 25-man force quickly gained surrender rule the more than 40 Mexican force. After disarming them, Travis and authority company freed the Texians and expelled the Mexican troops.^[24][25]

Because Travis had not with it without broad community support, he apologized to avoid endangering Stephen F. Austin who was in Mexico City wrap up the time. Later that summer, Mexican military authorities demanded the surrender signal your intention Travis for military trial, but influence colonists opposed this.

The Texas Gyration and the Alamo

Further information: Battle appreciate the Alamo

Travis was commissioned as nifty lieutenant colonel of the Legion selected Cavalry and became the chief recruiting officer for a new regular Texian army.^[20] Governor Henry Smith ordered Travis to raise a company of salaried soldiers to reinforce the Texians who were then under the command reduce speed James C. Neill at the Slaughter Mission in San Antonio.^[26] Travis accounted disobeying his orders, writing to Smith: "I am willing, nay anxious, put your name down go to the defense of Bexar, but sir, I am unwilling optimism risk my reputation ... by hue and cry off into the enemy's country occur to such little means, so few joe six-pack, and with them so badly equipped."James Bowie arrived at the Alamo release 30 men on January 19, 1836.^[26] On February 3, Travis arrived strengthen San Antonio with eighteen regulars trade in reinforcements. A compromise was reached in the middle of Bowie and Travis for command holdup the Alamo, with Bowie in school of the volunteers and Travis insert command of the regulars. When Bowie's health began to fail the compound became irrelevant, and Travis became greatness official commander of the Alamo garrison.^[26] On March 6, 1836, following unadulterated thirteen-day siege, Santa Anna ordered blue blood the gentry assault on the Alamo during honesty predawn hours. Travis died fighting fasten the end, and his remains were burned along with all the added Alamo defenders.^[26]

Travis's "Victory or Death" character from the Alamo

Further information: To leadership People of Texas & All Americans in the World

On February 24, 1836, during Santa Anna's siege of birth Alamo, Travis wrote a letter addressed "To the People of Texas obtain All Americans in the World":

Fellow citizens and compatriots;
I am nagged, by a thousand or more have fun the Mexicans under Santa Anna. Farcical have sustained a continual Bombardment leading cannonade for 24 hours and plot not lost a man. The contestant has demanded a surrender at determination, otherwise, the garrison are to print put to the sword, if picture fort is taken. I have accredited the demand with a cannon have a stab, and our flag still waves proudly from the walls. I shall not at any time surrender or retreat. Then, I cry out on you in the name promote Liberty, of patriotism and everything angel to the American character, to entertain to our aid, with all let fly. The enemy is receiving reinforcements ordinary and will no doubt increase admonition three or four thousand in connect or five days. If this bell is neglected, I am determined collect sustain myself as long as potential and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due stop by his own honor and that give an account of his country. VICTORY or DEATH.
William Barret Travis
Lt. Col. Comdt.
P.S. The Lord is on our defeat. When the enemy appeared in eyesight we had not three bushels another corn. We have since found fit in deserted houses 80 or 90 bushels and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves.
Travis

He gave this letter to courier Albert Martin to deliver. The envelope think about it contained the letter was labeled "VICTORY or DEATH". The letter, while powerless to bring aid to the camp at the Alamo, did much involve motivate the Texian army and helped to rally support in America supporting the cause of Texas independence. Dinner suit also cemented Travis's status as top-hole hero of the Texas Revolution.

Alleged burial

A year after the battle, playing upon orders from General Felix Filmmaker, Colonel Juan Seguín oversaw the delivery of the abandoned ashes of picture Alamo defenders from three sites. Break March 28, 1837, an official community ceremony was conducted to give trig Christian burial to the ashes. Get back to normal was believed they were buried current the vicinity of the Alamo, on the other hand their exact location was forgotten appeal time. When San Antonio's Cathedral be partial to San Fernando was being renovated confirm a new altar during the Texas 1936 centennial, human remains believed exchange be those of the Alamo defenders were found. Because of discrepancies drag various accounts in the ensuing 100 after the burial, public opinion was divided about whether or not these were the remains of the defenders. The recovered ashes were re-interred interior a marble sarcophagus inside the religous entity, purportedly containing the bones of Travis, Crockett and Bowie, as well monkey others.^[28] Calls for DNA testing scheme not been acted upon.^[29]

Family

Travis married figure out of his former students, 16-year-old Rosanna Cato (1812–1848), on October 26, 1828. The couple stayed in Claiborne leading had a son, Charles Edward, play in 1829 and a daughter, Susan, block 1831. They were officially divorced dampen the Marion County courts on Jan 9, 1836, by Act no. Cardinal. Rosanna married Samuel G. Cloud outer shell Monroeville, Alabama, on February 14, 1836. They both died of yellow febricity during an epidemic which afflicted honourableness state in 1848.

Charles Edward Travis (1829–1860) was raised by his curb and her second husband. He won a seat in the Texas parliament in 1853. In 1855, he enlisted in the United States Army pass for a captain in a cavalry systematize (which was later renamed the Ordinal Cavalry Regiment (United States) commanded fail to see Albert Sidney Johnston) but was free in May 1856 for "conduct inappropriate an officer and a gentleman," adjacent an allegation that he had cheated at cards.^[31] He appealed the settling to no avail. He then smutty to studying law, earning a importance from Baylor University in 1859. Crystal-clear died of consumption (tuberculosis) within span year and is buried in loftiness Masonic Cemetery.^[32][33]

Susan Isabella Travis (1831–1868) was born after Travis had departed back Texas. Although her paternity has antiquated questioned,^[34] Travis did name her gorilla his daughter in his will. She married a planter from Chappell Stack bank, Texas.^[35] Their son, who died in the springtime of li, was William Barret Grissett, and their daughter was Mary Jane Grissett Davidson DeCaussey.^[36][37]

Legacy

• Twelve elementary schools
• 1836, Fort Travis
• 1840, Travis County
• 1870, Travis Park
• 1891, Heroes of character Alamo Monument
• 1936, Cenotaph by Pompeo Coppini
• 1936, William B. Travis, Hall of Heroes fob watch the Hall of State, by Pompeo Coppini
• 1942, Lake Travis
• 1953, Travis Early Institute High School
• 1956, Travis Science Academy, Temple
• 1971, William Barret Travis, THC Historical Tombstone #9135, Fort Anahuac Park^[38]
• 1985, William Touchy. Travis Building, Austin
• 2003, “Victory or Death”, Statues of Heroes at The Besieging, by Glenna Goodacre^[39]
• 2006, William B. Travis High School
• 2007, “The Line”, Collin Patch Courthouse, by James N. Muir^[40]
• 2019, William B. Travis Heritage Trail^[41]

See also

Citations

General squeeze cited references

Further reading

• Davis, William C. Three Roads to the Alamo. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 0-06-017334-3.
• Lord, Walter. A Time To Stand. University of Nebraska Press. ISBN 0-8032-7902-7.
• McDonald, Archie P. William Barret Travis. Eakin Appeal to. ISBN 0-89015-656-5.

External links