.by Express night & day. To The People of Texas and All Americans Introduction Perhaps no other letter was as instrumental in the formation of a nation, as the February 24, 1836 letter penned by Alamo Commander William Barret Travis. Considering the modes of transportation and communication available to the inhabitants of Texas in 1836, it is truly remarkable that the letter had the impact that it did on the people of Texas and their fight for independence. Objectives: Students will be able to locate and label the major communities and rivers of importance in the Texas Revolution. Students will analyze the rate of travel information to better understand the Alamo Courier s journeys as they carried Travis words throughout Texas. Students will discuss the effects of the modes of transportation on the outcome of the Battle of the Alamo and the Texas Revolution. TEKS: 7.1C, 7.3B, 7.3C, 7.21B, 7.21B, 7.21D, 7.21F, 7.22A, 7.22B, 7.22D Resources: Texas and the Revolution map handout Warm-up: Complete the Texas and the Revolution map by labeling the towns, rivers and routes of Alamo Couriers, Launcelot Smither and Albert Martin. Section 1: The Letter s Journey in Texas The railroad had not yet made its way to Texas at the time of the Texas Revolution and would not until 1853. The steamboat was in use on both the Brazos and Rio Grande River and Schooners along the Gulf coast. In fact, the steamer Yellowstone would carry the wounded Sam Houston after the Battle of San Jacinto and in December of 1836, the body of deceased Stephen F. Austin. However, neither of these two modes of transportation would have an impact on the spreading of the news of the battles and other events of the revolution within Texas. Residents of Texas had only two options of travel: by foot or by horse! So, how did Remember the Alamo become the rallying cry of Texas Independence? In the case of the Travis letters, a man on horseback was the fastest way to get the word to the people of Texas.
Lieutenant Colonel Travis chose his couriers from the garrison of the Alamo. These men undoubtedly were given the best horses inside the walls for their journey to Gonzales and beyond. And yet, they were limited by the speed and stamina of the horse(s) and their own ability to stay in the saddle despite what must of have been extreme exhaustion. Background Information: -The average man walks at a rate of 3.5 miles per hour. -The average horse can travel an average of 20-30 miles per day. -The distance from San Antonio to Gonzales is 75 miles. -The distance from Gonzales to San Felipe is 78 miles. -The distance from San Antonio to New York City is 1583 miles. Speed = Distance traveled divided by the time of travel. Instructions: Using the information above, calculate the following answers. 1) Alamo Courier, Albert Martin, left the Alamo the night of February 24, 1836 on horseback with a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Travis to The People of Texas and all Americans in the world. Travis wrote instructions for the courier, on the outside of the letter, to carry the letter to San Felipe by express, night and day. Martin arrived in Gonzales the evening of February 25, 1836. If we assume that Martin s journey from San Antonio to Gonzales took 24 hours, what was Martin s average speed (MPH)? 2) The letter was then carried from Gonzales to San Felipe by Launcelot Smither. He left Gonzales the evening of February 25, 1836 and rode through an icy wind to arrive in San Felipe 40 hours later. If Launcelot Smither traveled from Gonzales to San Felipe in 40 hours, what was his average speed? (MPH) 3) Could Martin and Smither have used the same horse for their entire journey? Why or why not? 4) What could have caused Smither to travel slower than Martin? 5) How long can a man stay on horseback without rest? How many hours of sleep do you think the couriers would need to make their respective journeys?
Section 2: The Letter s Journey in the United States Launcelot gave a paraphrased version of Travis letter to Gonzales mayor Andrew Ponton. Ponton sent that version to Colonel Henry Raguet, the commander of the Committee of Vigilance and Safety in Nacogdoches. Raguet kept the letter he received and sent a copy, with his additional comments, to Dr. John Sibley, the chairman of the Committee of Vigilance and Safety for Texas Affairs in Natchitoches, Louisiana. After Smither s arrival in San Felipe, a town meeting was held. Newspapermen Joseph Baker and Thomas Borden made over 700 copies of Travis letter broadsides (Broadsides were posters, announcing events or proclamations.) The final printing included a message from Governor Henry Smith urging the colonists "to fly to the aid of your besieged countrymen and not permit them to be massacred by a mercenary foe.... The call is upon ALL who are able to bear arms, to rally without one moment's delay, or in fifteen days the heart of Texas will be the seat of war. On March 2, the letter was printed in the Texas Republican. It appeared in the other major Texas newspaper, the Telegraph and Texas Register, three days later. The letter was eventually reprinted throughout the United States and much of Europe. Within one to three months, the people in New York City and other major cities in the United States would receive reports from Texas, including the words of Travis letters. Instructions: Read the Transportation in America before 1876 section found at the following link then answer the questions below: http://amhistory.si.edu/onthemove/exhibition/exhibition_1_2.html 1) What other types of transportation were in use in the United States during this time? 2) What geographical features of the United States would have impeded/assisted in the spread of the news from Texas?
Commandancy of the Alamo-- Bejar, Fby 24th 1836-- 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 & connade 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 Since the above was written I heard a very heavy Cannonade during the whole day think there must have been an attack made upon the alamo We were short of ammunition when I left Hurry on all the men you can in haste When I left there was but 150 determined to do or die tomorrow I leave for Bejar with what men I can raise [ ] at all events--- Col. Almonte is there the troops are under the Command of Gen. Seisma Albert Martin Nb I hope that Every One will Rondevu at gonzales as soon poseble as the Brave Solders are suffering do not neglect this powder is very scarce and should not be delad one moment L. Smither
TEXAS AND THE REVOLUTION Label the following rivers: Brazos River Rio Grande San Antonio River Guadalupe River Sabine River San Jacinto River Label the following locations: Goliad (La Bahia) San Antonio de Béxar Gonzales San Jacinto San Felipe de Austin Nacogdoches Washington-on-the-Brazos