Colonel William Barrett Travis, born near Saluda, South Carolina, on August 9, 1809, gave his life for liberty and freedom at the Alamo on March 6, 1836. In his last message asking for reinforcements, he declared, "I have held this place against overwhelming numbers and will continue to hold it or perish in its defence." Colonel James Bonham, a native of Saluda County born near here on February 20, 1807, died with Travis in defence of the Alamo. Travis and Bonham were friends in boyhood, comrades in arms, and perished together in battle.