A statewide effort to place Colonel William Travis's letter from the Alamo placed on courthouse property throughout the state of Texas is coming to fruition in De-Witt County. The Texas Historical Commission, which must approve any changes to historical sites, has approved the addition of the granite monument and county commissioners on July 14 approved the placement in front of the flag pole.
At the July meeting, guests to the courthouse saw the area where the monument will be placed outlined in bright green tape with Travis's call to arms of “Victory or Death” in the box.
According to the Texas State Library and Archives, Travis sent the letter to the People of Texas and all Americans in the World on February 24, 1836, the second day of the siege. He commanded 150 Texas rebels against Santa Anna’s Mexican army. Travis asked for reinforcements with this message: I shall never surrender or retreat. Then, I call on you in the name of Liberty, of patriotism, and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid with all dispatch. ...VICTORY OR DEATH.
