Travis, William Barret, 1809-1836

As commander of the doomed Alamo garrison, Colonel William Barret Travis became a legendary figure in Texas history. Born in South Carolina in 1809, Travis went on to study law and marry Rosanna Cato before moving to Texas. He left his family behind and settled in Stephen F. Austin's colony to practice law. With the coming of war with Mexico, Travis became an army officer and was ordered to reinforce the Alamo garrison in San Antonio de Bexar. He took command after James C. Neill gave up the post to attend to family matters. Facing an overwhelming force of Mexican troops under the command of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, Travis commanded the 180 defenders of the Alamo, including such figures as David Crockett and Jim Bowie. The Alamo fell on March 6, 1836, ending Travis' life at age 26.

From the guide to the William Barret Travis Papers, 1831-1924, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Army officer and lawyer.

From the description of Message of William Barret Travis, 1836 February 24. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 757178528

William Barret Travis, lawyer and soldier, was the lieutenant colonel in charge of the Alamo during the siege by Antonio López de Santa Anna and the Mexican Army which started February 23, 1836. Travis died when the Mexican Army stormed the Alamo on March 6, 1836.

From the description of Letter to the people of Texas, 1836, Feb. 24. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 122396927

William Barret Travis emigrated to Texas from Alabama in 1831. In 1832 he settled in San Felipe, where he practiced law. Travis died while commanding Texas soldiers at the siege of the Alamo in 1836.

Luke Lesassier was a lawyer and served as alcalde of Austin.

From the description of Petition to represent heirs of Eli Holly : San Felipe, Tex., 1833 Sep 11. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 83206611

William Barret Travis emigrated to Texas from Alabama in 1831. In 1832 he settled in San Felipe, where he practiced law. Travis died while commanding Texas soldiers at the siege of the Alamo in 1836.

Luke Lesassier was a lawyer and served as alcalde of Austin.

From the description of Petition to represent heirs of Eli Holly : San Felipe, Tex., 1833 Sep 11. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 702150668