Title: Our Line in the Sand Original CoS Document (slug): [[https://conventionofstates.com/our-line-in-the-sand|our-line-in-the-sand]] Login Required to view? No Created: 2021-06-05 10:22:55 Updated: 2022-09-16 00:28:03 Published: 2021-06-07 03:00:00 Converted: 2025-04-14T21:11:35.692309097 ---- I’m a fourth generation Texan, proud of my freedom-loving state. I especially love its rich history because I believe in embracing history over erasing it. Here’s a story that’s particularly inspiring:\\ \\ William Barret Travis was a 19th-century American lawyer and soldier. At the age of 26, he was a lieutenant colonel in the Texas Army, fighting to gain independence from Mexico. He led the defense of San Antonio, a Mexican stronghold centered around an old mission called the Alamo. On February 3, 1836, Travis arrived with forty men at the Alamo to join other freedom fighters. Within no time, General Antonio López de Santa Anna moved his massive army within striking distance of the old mission. The Alamo had approximately 200 men to defend itself against the approaching Mexican army.\\ \\ On February 24, 1836, during Santa Anna's siege of the Alamo, Travis wrote a letter labeled “Victory or Death” addressed “To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World." It read as follows: > Fellow citizens and compatriots;\\ > \\ > I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna. I have sustained a continual Bombardment and cannonade for 24 hours and 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, and 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 and everything dear to the American character, to come to our aid, with all dispatch. The enemy is receiving reinforcements daily and 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 and die like a soldier who never forgets what is due to his own honor and 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 and got into the walls 20 or 30 head of Beeves. Travis’ pleas to the outside world went unheeded– the Alamo freedom fighters were left on their own.\\ \\ There is little historical evidence of the following, but popular lore has it that sometime on March 4, Travis called the defenders of the Alamo together for a meeting.  After addressing the men, he drew a line in the sand with his sword and challenged those who would stay and fight to cross it. Only one refused. An ailing Jim Bowie was reportedly carried across the line. Each man who crossed the line knew the imminent danger they faced, and without wavering made the decision to meet the challenge. On March 6, following a 13-day siege, Santa Anna ordered their assault during the predawn hours. The Alamo was overrun within two hours, and all defenders were either captured or killed. \\ \\ The greatness displayed by each of these Alamo heroes was their unwavering courage to stay the course, knowing the inevitable outcome. Each defender became a martyr for the cause of Texan independence. Cries of “Remember the Alamo!” echoed all over Texas and the United States, as men took up arms to avenge Travis and the other slain Alamo defenders. On April 21, 1836, Texans later defeated the Mexican Army at the Battle of San Jacinto, ending the rebellion.\\ \\ The moral of this story is not about a fight in one state. Rather, this story represents the nature of every single American across our great nation who loves freedom and chooses to self-govern. There comes a time in everyone’s life where we must choose whether we will stand for the greater good, or acquiesce and submit to tyrannical rule. As a COS volunteer, I learn something new about this country and its citizens daily. It inspires me to choose liberty. \\ \\ Every single day, you and I are faced with this same decision. Too often we sit inside our comfort zone and say "maybe next week." However, we have an incredible opportunity to save this country with an Article V Convention of States. And We the People are making the difference – step-by-step we are reclaiming our country from the bonds of woke culture and liberal agendas in our hometowns, our states, and our nation. \\ \\ Are you ready to make a difference and volunteer with the grassroots movement of Convention of States? Sign the petition today. Volunteer today and join with me as we take up the mantra from Col. Travis – we will never surrender or retreat!