James Bowie shared command of the intrepid
189 at the Alamo with William B. Travis. A Texas hero and a reckless adventurer,
Bowie was known for his legendary ability to fight with the Bowie knife and his skill in
riding alligators.
Although Bowie was born in Logan County, Kentucky in
1796 he moved with his family to Missouri while he was still quite young. He then
moved to Louisiana in 1802, where he spent the majority of his youth. It was there that he
first acquired a reputation for his bold and fearless disposition.
Bowie participated in a bloody brawl near Natchez,
Mississippi, in 1827. Several men were killed and Bowie was wounded in the brawl. A year
later, after he recovered from his wounds, he moved to Texas as a prospector. Some
time before the revolt of Texas against Mexico James Bowie went to Mexico, where he
married Ursulita de Veramendez, the only daughter of Governor Veramendez, of one of the
Mexican States. She was born in Monclova, Mexico, but was pure Castilian blood. General
Santa Anna was her godfather. Bowie became a Mexican citizen in 1830.
Before the revolution in Texas, Bowie took part in many
adventures. He spent considerable time cultivating friendships with Indians in his search
for elusive silver and gold reported to be hidden in the interior of Texas. By some
accounts, he is said to have found the fabled San Saba mines, also known as the Bowie
mines, near the geographic center of present day Texas.
During the Texas Revolution, Bowie commanded a
detachment in the battle of Conception and was a leading participant in the Grass Fight
near San Antonio. Bowie shared the command of a volunteer force and Travis' regular army
troops at the Alamo with Colonel Travis. This arrangement caused some personal friction
but the two men stood united and firm in the face of the overwhelming force of the Mexican
army. Despite the fact that he contracted pneumonia and was disabled, Bowie laying
confined to his cot, asked for help to carry him over the line when Travis called for
volunteers to hold the fort. It is said that he died facing the enemy from that same cot
on March 6, 1836 at the Battle of the Alamo.
This memoriable man is portraied by Mr. Jack Edmondson!
