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Post by Jim Boylston on Oct 26, 2012 10:57:21 GMT -5
I agree. The letter could have been written any where in the compound. I'm glad to see it's returning to the Alamo, though.
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Post by bradponder on Oct 26, 2012 11:09:52 GMT -5
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Post by Hiram on Oct 26, 2012 16:19:09 GMT -5
I believe it's Jameson's key that mentions it. That and a Mexican colonel that was living elsewhere in the Alamo. When these wounded officers were transferred, or even if, to the arriving Mexican army, I don't have a clue. We've had quite a discussion in the past, I don't recall anything being unearthed.
I won't rehash what has already been "hashed" on the Mendoza thread other than a reminder that the Trevino house had at least two intact rooms (each 12' x 22'), possibly three, and there would be ample room for multiple occupants under the same roof. Assuming that the officers were there during the siege, you could still have Travis using a room for his quarters. The southern Castaneda had two rooms intact, the northern had one room intact. There's only so many places you can accommodate individuals requiring separate quarters.
While it may sound portentous to some, my job description includes training battlefield guides. They're trained that the Trevino house was occupied by Travis and that the correspondence of Travis was written within the confines of the building. I understand completely that it is not 100% certain; theoretically the letters could have been composed anywhere. I encourage anyone to present a strong argument as to why that would be the case. I try my best to keep an open mind concerning the details. |
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Post by Tom Nuckols on Oct 26, 2012 23:00:34 GMT -5
I think you're giving good direction, Hiram. It strikes me that a commander's pen and paper were precious items under the circumstances. He would've kept them very close to where he spent his private time, i.e., in his own quarters. He'd have no reason either to keep his pen and paper elsewhere or to keep them in his quarters but take them to another part of the compound to write the letter.
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Post by Rich Curilla on Oct 27, 2012 14:53:04 GMT -5
Yea! Now I can cancel the appointment with my shrink. I couldn't understand how I could have misunderstood that, having suspected it was a copy to begin with and coming to the conclusion it was the original. I felt I must have seen it on a label somewhere. Thanks, Brad. |
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Post by Herb on Feb 17, 2013 8:51:55 GMT -5
Nice article in San Antonio Express today. Sorry can't post the link from my phone. I do wish "experts" would use words such as probably, when they are giving what is only their opinion, informed though it maybe.
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Post by sloanrodgers on Mar 9, 2013 0:56:54 GMT -5
Travis' letter returned to an Austin vault today according to the news. I wish it was coming to my safe or I wouldn't try to sell the big metal box on craigslist. I wonder if anyone on here saw the famed plea for ignored help.
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Post by alamonorth on Mar 10, 2013 12:45:55 GMT -5
I just got back home yesterday from the Alamo. Seeing the actual letter was definitely one of my most treasured Alamo moments. The display was very impressive and emotional.The lineups to view the letter were extremely long, with some people waiting for over three hours on the weekends. Even the brochure, an actual reproduction of the letter, which the Alamo handed out was terrific. It was truly a memorable experience. Ken Mahoney
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 10, 2013 16:32:17 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that, Ken. Sounds like quite an experience. Maybe a way will be found to house the letter at the Alamo permanently, or at least display it somewhere.
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Post by Valerie Hyatt Martin on Mar 11, 2013 22:52:17 GMT -5
I was inspired by the viewing of the Travis Letter. I am of course quite familiar with Travis because of my daughters' alliance with him. I have heard, read, researched more about him than I ever thought possible and the fates have even given me an office (as a School Social Worker) in Travis Elementary. I hear his name repeated all day every day. :-)
I have written often and spoken to as many people as I could that my hope for The Alamo is for it to become a true historic site, which it is not now and hasn't been. I had the good fortune to live in the northeast and southeast and have visited many historic sites and was shocked when I realized the Alamo was not one. However, for 13 days, it was a historic site and the gift shop for those of you who have been before, was redone and when I walked in, I thought I was at a historic site. It was awesome. The merchandise was well done, well organized, at good prices.
The exhibit for Travis at the Alamo was awesome. The presentation of his life began at the front of the church, then through the two rooms, including the sacristry, to the back of the church where the letter was on display, cloaked in a dark covering to keep out light. There were other Travis documents and items on display, signage which took you through each part of his life. The letter itself was clearly fragile and would not live long on display without the
right environment, which cannot be the Alamo which itself is fragile and in need of preservation and restoration. I'm okay with it being in Austin, as long as they display it more often.
When I saw the letter I was moved to tears because I could imagine him writing it and what those words might have meant to him as he wrote.
At the symposium, Mike Harris, Rick Range and Craig Covner gave a good presentation including maps of where the compound would have been (superimposed on todays plaza). Craig said they believe because of Sutherlands map Travis's headquarters would be where the Hotel Indigo is now and not Ripley's Haunted Adventure. They noted Sutherland had left on the 23rd and when he left that is where Bowie and Travis's offices were. I have been making many remarks against Ripleys and must turn my attention now to the Hotel Indigo, but still want Ripleys to be gone along with the touristy shops).
Also, the return of the Travis Letter brought a positive energy to the Alamo and the Plaza. There has been much conflict, contention etc. over the Alamo and the Plaza and something about this event seemed to change the atmosphere, the environment. It brought awareness from those who love history. It brought awareness to people who just showed up and didn't realize the letter was there, but were excited they had become part of something special. I believe this is a new beginning for the Alamo...a positive beginning toward making it the special place people come from all over to see. I'm hopeful all of the stories of those who defended and who fought against the defenders on the orders of a tyrant will begin to fully be told.
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Post by Allen Wiener on Mar 12, 2013 9:19:16 GMT -5
Very interesting post, Valerie; many thanks for sharing your experience. This sounds quite different from my own visits to the Alamo in recent years and it is encouraging to hear that changes and improvements are being made. I also hope that the Alamo can become more of a historic site than it has been in the past and it sounds like things may be moving in that direction. Let's hope so.
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Post by Paul Sylvain on Mar 12, 2013 20:16:27 GMT -5
Valerie -- You expressed your observations and feelings honestly and openly and with such emotion. Your words about the Travis exhibit (which, in fact it was, since it was more than just THE letter) ring as loud and clear as the words written by Travis did in 1836. I'm just sorry that work and finances prevented me from making the HHD this year. Perhaps I will get to see the letter one day in my lifetime.
The Alamo deserves better than what it has gotten in recent years -- decades, really. We can only hope improvements continue and that one day the historical significance of the site is presented as it should be.
Paul
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Post by Tom Nuckols on Mar 15, 2013 23:25:00 GMT -5
Great post, Valery. I was one of the unfortunates whose family and professional duties kept me away from HHD this year, so I didn't get to see the letter. I agree the letter should (and hope it eventually will) be on permanent display, but it would probably have to be at the Lorenzo de Zavala State Library and Archives or the Bob Bullock State History Museum. However, bringing it back to the Alamo just this once was pure genius and a true game changer. In terms of the good it has done for the memory and preservation of the Alamo, I think it ranks second only to the efforts of Adina de Zavala and Clara Driscoll, so Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson deserves infinite thanks for making it happen. The momentum he created has now led the Texas Legislature to consider a bill creating a special commission to "reclaim the original footprint of the Alamo." The next Land Commissioner will almost certainly be George P. Bush, whose Hispanic heritage and impeccable Texas political credentials combine to put him in a unique position to navigate the political minefields necessary to reclaim that footprint. I encourage those who care for the Alamo to stay tuned and stay involved in what is going on.
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Post by alamonorth on Mar 29, 2013 19:11:21 GMT -5
Now that they have managed to return the Travis letter to the Alamo, how about bringing back the New Orleans Greys Flag, even if it is only for a brief time.
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