Alamo Defender. In Alabama October 1835, he was organizing a volunteer company, the Mobile Grays, for support and service in Texas. He gave up his pratice of law, reached Texas in November 1835 and quickly involved himself in political and military affairs. On December 1, 1835, he wrote to Sam Houston from San Felipe volunteering his services for Texas and on December 20, 1835, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Texas cavalry. He and Houston quickly developed a mutual admiration and Houston recommended he be promoted to major. On January 19, 1836, he with James Bowie and arrived at the Alamo garrison. He was sent by Lieutenant Colonel Travis to obtain aid for the garrison at Bexar on February 16, 1836. He returned to the Alamo on March 3, bearing through the Mexican lines with a letter from Robert M. Williamson assuring Travis that help was on its way and urging him to hold out. Bonham died in the battle of the Alamo, while manning one of the cannons in the interior of the Alamo chapel. On December 18, 1938, the Texas Centennial Commission erected a statue of James Bonham on the courthouse square of the town of Bonham, named in his honor.
Alamo Defender. In Alabama October 1835, he was organizing a volunteer company, the Mobile Grays, for support and service in Texas. He gave up his pratice of law, reached Texas in November 1835 and quickly involved himself in political and military affairs. On December 1, 1835, he wrote to Sam Houston from San Felipe volunteering his services for Texas and on December 20, 1835, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Texas cavalry. He and Houston quickly developed a mutual admiration and Houston recommended he be promoted to major. On January 19, 1836, he with James Bowie and arrived at the Alamo garrison. He was sent by Lieutenant Colonel Travis to obtain aid for the garrison at Bexar on February 16, 1836. He returned to the Alamo on March 3, bearing through the Mexican lines with a letter from Robert M. Williamson assuring Travis that help was on its way and urging him to hold out. Bonham died in the battle of the Alamo, while manning one of the cannons in the interior of the Alamo chapel. On December 18, 1938, the Texas Centennial Commission erected a statue of James Bonham on the courthouse square of the town of Bonham, named in his honor.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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