James Bonham

James Butler Bonham (20 February 1807–6 March 1836) was a 19th century American soldier who died at the Battle of the Alamo during the Texas Revolution.

Early life

James Butler Bonham was born near Red Bank (now Saluda), South Carolina, on February 20, 1807, the son of James and Sophia Butler {Smith}. His parents went to South Carolina from Maryland just after the American Revolution and settled down to become planters. Recent evidence does indicate that he was related to Alamo commander William B. Travis as a second cousin. Even if they were not related, they certainly knew of each other during their childhood years. They grew in the same South Carolina county and attended the same church as Bonham's family. James 1st cousin once removed was Andrew Pickens Butler.

Bonham entered South Carolina College in 1824. In 1827, during his senior year, he led a student protest over harsh attendance regulations and poor food being served at the school's boardinghouse. He was expelled along with the entire senior class. In 1830, Bonham practiced law in Pendleton, but was found in contempt of court after caning another attorney who had insulted one of Bonham's clients. When ordered to apologize by the sitting judge to the offended lawyer, he refused the offer and to which Bonham then threatened to tweak the judge’s own nose. Bonham was promptly sentenced to ninety days for contempt of court.

Bonham served as an aide to Governor James Hamilton Jr. during the Nullification Crisis in 1832. Bonham’s fiery temperament resulted in his brandishing a sword and pistol condemning Andrew Jackson and the Washington politicians. His bold and outspoken position brought him the rank of lieutenant colonel. At the same time he served as captain of a Charleston artillery company.

In October of 1834, he moved to Montgomery, Alabama, where other members of his family had previously settled. He then went to Mobile where he helped organize a company of militia cavalry known as the "Mobile Greys." The small force traveled to San Felipe, Texas in late November 1835, where Bonham was commissioned a lieutenant in the Texian Cavalry on December 3.

Texas and the Alamo

Heritage

The town of Bonham, Texas, is named for him. Ironically, Bonham is the county seat of Fannin County, named for the commander who Bonham tried to enjoin for assistance at the Alamo.

"Flat Grove," Bonham's home in Saluda, is the only known birthplace of an Alamo defender still in existence. It is maintained as a museum.

His younger brother, Milledge Luke Bonham was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, as well as Governor of South Carolina from 1862ndash 1864. A school in the town of Midland, Texas, is named after him.

ources

*James Butler Bonham Messenger of Defeat, William N. Bonham, True North Books, 1990

ee also

*Battle of the Alamo
*Texas Revolution
*William B. Travis
*Texian

External links

* [http://www.saludaschistorical.org/ Saluda County Historical Society] , photo of Bonham's home.
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8729679] , James Butler Bonham at Find A Grave
* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=8959] ,Milledge Luke Bonham at Find A Grave
* [http://wnbonham.home.att.net/JBB.html] , James Bonham Biography