Son of Nancy Hynes and William Pope DuVal. Brother of John Crittenden, William, Thomas Howard, Elizabeth Ann, Mary, Marcia Pope, Laura Harrison, and Florida G. He wrote the following letter to his father just before the battle:
Goliad, March 9th, 1836
Dear Father,
It has been some time since I have had an opty. of writing to you. A gentleman leaves here to day for the U. States but have my doubts if he gets fifty miles from this post as we are surrounded by Mexican troops. By last express, yesterday from San Antonio we learned that our little band of 200 still maintained their situation in the Alamo, the fort outside of the town. They have been fighting desperately there for 10 or 15 days against four or five thousand Mexicans. Santa Anna is there himself and has there and in this vicinity at least six thousand troops. Contrary to the expectation of every one he has invaded the Country when least expected….We now muster at this post 400 strong, and from the preparations we have made shall be enabled to give any number a desperate fight. San Antonio I fear has fallen before this; from its situation and construction, I cannot believe it possible so small a band could maintain it against such fearful odds. D. Crockett is one of the number in the fort....As I anticipated, much dissention prevails among the Volunteers, Col. Fannin, now in command (Genl. Houston being absent), is unpopular -- and nothing but the certainty of hard fighting, and that shortly, could have kept us together so long. I am popular with the army, and strange as you may think it could lead them or the majority of them where I choose. They have offered me every office from a Majority to Comdr. in Chief. I have seen enough to desire no office for the present in Texas higher than the one I hold. I have fifty men in my Company, who love me and who cannot be surpassed for boldness and chivalry. With such a band I will gain the laurels I may wear or die without any....I have never seen such men as this army is composed of -- no man ever thinks of retreat, or surrender, they must be exterminated to be whipped. Nothing can depress their ardour. We are frequently for days without anything but Bull beef to eat, and after working hard all day could you at night her the boys crowing, gobling, barking, bellowing, laughing and singing you would think them the happiest and best fed men in the world.
Do all you can for Texas.
Yr. affectionate son
B. H. Duval
Goliad, March 9th, 1836
Dear Father,
It has been some time since I have had an opty. of writing to you. A gentleman leaves here to day for the U. States but have my doubts if he gets fifty miles from this post as we are surrounded by Mexican troops. By last express, yesterday from San Antonio we learned that our little band of 200 still maintained their situation in the Alamo, the fort outside of the town. They have been fighting desperately there for 10 or 15 days against four or five thousand Mexicans. Santa Anna is there himself and has there and in this vicinity at least six thousand troops. Contrary to the expectation of every one he has invaded the Country when least expected….We now muster at this post 400 strong, and from the preparations we have made shall be enabled to give any number a desperate fight. San Antonio I fear has fallen before this; from its situation and construction, I cannot believe it possible so small a band could maintain it against such fearful odds. D. Crockett is one of the number in the fort....As I anticipated, much dissention prevails among the Volunteers, Col. Fannin, now in command (Genl. Houston being absent), is unpopular -- and nothing but the certainty of hard fighting, and that shortly, could have kept us together so long. I am popular with the army, and strange as you may think it could lead them or the majority of them where I choose. They have offered me every office from a Majority to Comdr. in Chief. I have seen enough to desire no office for the present in Texas higher than the one I hold. I have fifty men in my Company, who love me and who cannot be surpassed for boldness and chivalry. With such a band I will gain the laurels I may wear or die without any....I have never seen such men as this army is composed of -- no man ever thinks of retreat, or surrender, they must be exterminated to be whipped. Nothing can depress their ardour. We are frequently for days without anything but Bull beef to eat, and after working hard all day could you at night her the boys crowing, gobling, barking, bellowing, laughing and singing you would think them the happiest and best fed men in the world.
Do all you can for Texas.
Yr. affectionate son
B. H. Duval
Son of Nancy Hynes and William Pope DuVal. Brother of John Crittenden, William, Thomas Howard, Elizabeth Ann, Mary, Marcia Pope, Laura Harrison, and Florida G. He wrote the following letter to his father just before the battle:
Goliad, March 9th, 1836
Dear Father,
It has been some time since I have had an opty. of writing to you. A gentleman leaves here to day for the U. States but have my doubts if he gets fifty miles from this post as we are surrounded by Mexican troops. By last express, yesterday from San Antonio we learned that our little band of 200 still maintained their situation in the Alamo, the fort outside of the town. They have been fighting desperately there for 10 or 15 days against four or five thousand Mexicans. Santa Anna is there himself and has there and in this vicinity at least six thousand troops. Contrary to the expectation of every one he has invaded the Country when least expected….We now muster at this post 400 strong, and from the preparations we have made shall be enabled to give any number a desperate fight. San Antonio I fear has fallen before this; from its situation and construction, I cannot believe it possible so small a band could maintain it against such fearful odds. D. Crockett is one of the number in the fort....As I anticipated, much dissention prevails among the Volunteers, Col. Fannin, now in command (Genl. Houston being absent), is unpopular -- and nothing but the certainty of hard fighting, and that shortly, could have kept us together so long. I am popular with the army, and strange as you may think it could lead them or the majority of them where I choose. They have offered me every office from a Majority to Comdr. in Chief. I have seen enough to desire no office for the present in Texas higher than the one I hold. I have fifty men in my Company, who love me and who cannot be surpassed for boldness and chivalry. With such a band I will gain the laurels I may wear or die without any....I have never seen such men as this army is composed of -- no man ever thinks of retreat, or surrender, they must be exterminated to be whipped. Nothing can depress their ardour. We are frequently for days without anything but Bull beef to eat, and after working hard all day could you at night her the boys crowing, gobling, barking, bellowing, laughing and singing you would think them the happiest and best fed men in the world.
Do all you can for Texas.
Yr. affectionate son
B. H. Duval
Goliad, March 9th, 1836
Dear Father,
It has been some time since I have had an opty. of writing to you. A gentleman leaves here to day for the U. States but have my doubts if he gets fifty miles from this post as we are surrounded by Mexican troops. By last express, yesterday from San Antonio we learned that our little band of 200 still maintained their situation in the Alamo, the fort outside of the town. They have been fighting desperately there for 10 or 15 days against four or five thousand Mexicans. Santa Anna is there himself and has there and in this vicinity at least six thousand troops. Contrary to the expectation of every one he has invaded the Country when least expected….We now muster at this post 400 strong, and from the preparations we have made shall be enabled to give any number a desperate fight. San Antonio I fear has fallen before this; from its situation and construction, I cannot believe it possible so small a band could maintain it against such fearful odds. D. Crockett is one of the number in the fort....As I anticipated, much dissention prevails among the Volunteers, Col. Fannin, now in command (Genl. Houston being absent), is unpopular -- and nothing but the certainty of hard fighting, and that shortly, could have kept us together so long. I am popular with the army, and strange as you may think it could lead them or the majority of them where I choose. They have offered me every office from a Majority to Comdr. in Chief. I have seen enough to desire no office for the present in Texas higher than the one I hold. I have fifty men in my Company, who love me and who cannot be surpassed for boldness and chivalry. With such a band I will gain the laurels I may wear or die without any....I have never seen such men as this army is composed of -- no man ever thinks of retreat, or surrender, they must be exterminated to be whipped. Nothing can depress their ardour. We are frequently for days without anything but Bull beef to eat, and after working hard all day could you at night her the boys crowing, gobling, barking, bellowing, laughing and singing you would think them the happiest and best fed men in the world.
Do all you can for Texas.
Yr. affectionate son
B. H. Duval
Bio by: Nahm
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