Williamson to Travis

 

The primary responsibility for aiding the Alamo fell to Major Robert M. Williamson, the commander of the Ranger Battalion authorized by the Consultation. On March 1, Williamson, who knew Travis, wrote an encouraging message, promising help. The message was carried into the Alamo on March 3, 1836, by James Butler Bonham. Williamson was unaware that Fannin had already turned back and would not be going to the Alamo.

You cannot conceive my anxiety; today it has been four whole days that we have not the slightest news relative to your situation and we are therefore given over to a thousand conjectures regarding you. Sixty men have left this municipality, who in all probability are with you by this date. Colonel Fannin with 300 men and four pieces of artillery has been on the march toward BÈxar three days now.

Tonight we await some 300 reinforcements from Wahington, Bastrop, Brazoria, and S. Felipe and no time will be lost in providing you assistance. . . .

P. S. For God's sake hold out until we can assist you--I remit to you with Major Bonham communication from the interim government. Best wishes to all your people and tell them to hold on firmly by their "wills" until I go there. - Williamson. - Write us very soon

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^{1.Alan Huffines, The Blood of Noble Men (Austin: Eakin Press, 1999), 103.}