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William Travis was born in Edgefield District, South Carolina, on 9th August, 1809. The family moved to Alabama and after his studies Travis worked as a school teacher and lawyer. He married but the relationship was unsuccessful and Travis left his family and moved to Texas and established a law office in Anahuac.
Travis strongly disliked Mexican rule and became one of the leaders of what became known as the "war party". On 29th June, 1835, Travis raised a company of 25 volunteers and captured Captain Antonio Tenorio, the commander of Mexican forces in Anahuac. Some people living in Texas objected to this attempt by Travis to precipitate war.
After the outbreak of the Texas Revolution Travis joined the Texas army and soon afterwards Samuel Houston, the commander-in-chief, appointed Travis as lieutenant colonel of cavalry.
Soon after the rebellion began the Texans surrounded San Antonio de Bexar. On 7th December a group of volunteers led by Ben Milam attacked the town. After the death of Milam James Bowie took over the leadership of the rebels. After two more days of fighting General Perfecto de Cos called for negotiations to take place. COs offered the rebels control of San Antonio de Bexar in exchange for his men being allowed to return to Mexico.
In January 1836 Travis was given command of the regulars and James Bowie the volunteers based at San Antonio de Bexar. General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and 7,000 Mexican troops arrived back in San Antonio on 23rd February, 1836. About 200 Texans took refuge in the fortified grounds of the Alamo. Bowie was struck down with typhoid and Travis eventually took over sole command of the fortress.
Santa Anna ordered the shelling of the Alamo but the Texans refused to surrender. On 6th March the Mexican army stormed the fortress. During the battle 189 Texans were killed. This included Travis, James Bowie and Davy Crockett. It is estimated that 1,500 Mexicans died during the fighting.
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