| |
Introduction:The following letter was sent to theleaders of the Provisional Texas government immediately prior to themain attack by the Mexican army at the Alamo, the most famous battle ofthe Texas Revolution. It was written by Colonel William Barrett Travis,the commander of the Texas forces at the Alamo.Commandancy of the Alamo Bexar, Feby. 24th, 1836 To the People of Texas & all Americans in the World-- Fellow Citizens and Compatriots-- I am besieged by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna--Ihave sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours& have not lost a man--The enemy has demanded a surrender atdiscretion, otherwise the garrison are to be put to the sword, if thefort is taken--I have answered the demand with a cannon shot, & ourflag still waves proudly from the walls--I shall never surrender orretreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism& everything dear to the American character, to come to our aidwith all despatch--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 aspossible & die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to hisown 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 hadnot three bushels of corn--We have since found in deserted houses 80 or90 bushels, and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves-- Travis |
| José Enriqbyue de la Peña, a commander for the Mexican GeneralSanta Anna, said that the Texans who fought for TexasIndependence were "... a rabble of wretched adventurers towhom our authorities have unwisely given benefits that even Mexicansdid not enjoy. . . ." |
| Who were these men who fought for Texas Independence? Were they heroes or rabble and was their cause just or aninsult to the Mexican government? These are just two of the questionsthat you will answer over the next week. The year is 1836. In Texas, bold settlers ofthe Mexican frontier are engaging in a life or death struggle for theindependence of Texas from Mexico. In the United States, friends andfamily are watching the events in Texas with great interest. The peopleof Mexico and the United States long to know what is happening in Texasand you are their source of information! Task:You are a member of a television broadcast crew that iscovering the mighty struggle for Texas Independence. Your task is toinform the world about the Texas Revolution! You will create a newscastabout the war- the people, the battles, and the questions surroundingit. Note that you have been strongly encouraged by the Producerof your news station to cover the major battles of the war, but also toput a “human face” on war by also telling the “story” of the peopleinvolved in this struggle – the soldiers and civilians. |
 | Introduction and Back to Index - link not active- see above |  | Task - link not active - see above |
| | Process | | Resources |
| | LearningAdvice | | Evaluation |
| | Conclusion |
