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James Bowie. Texas Revolution Patriot Pioneer and Soldier. Born April 10, 1796 Died March 6, 1836. Family. Born in Kentucky - his parents were Reason and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones Bowie - James was the ninth of ten children – also known as Jim
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James Bowie Texas Revolution Patriot Pioneer and Soldier
Family • Born in Kentucky - his parents were Reason and Elve Ap-Catesby Jones Bowie - James was the ninth of ten children – also known as Jim - Family moved frequently, settling southeastern Louisiana - Plantation near Opelousas – grew cotton and sugarcane - Bought and sold salves
The Early Years • During his teens James Bowie operated a sugar mill and floated lumber to market • Land speculator • Loved to hunt and fish • Family tradition says he caught and rode wild horses, rode alligators, and trapped bears • Described as a stout rather raw boned man, 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds. He had light colored hair, grey eyes, a fair complexion and high cheek bones.
Middle Years • Married Ursula Veramendi, the daughter of Don Juan Martin Veramendi, who was the governor of the province of Texas and vice-governor of the Mexican state of Coahulia y Texas. • Baptized into the Catholic Church • 1830 became a Mexican citizen • Searched for silver and gold, said to have found the San Saba mines, also know as the “Bowie mines” • His wife and two children died while he was away from a outbreak of cholera.
James Bowiethe man • James Bowie was known to speak his mind and to have a temper • Described as clever, a polite gentleman who was attentive to the ladies, a true, constant and generous friend; a man no one dared to undervalue and many feared • Slave trader, gambler, land speculator, dreamer, schemer and hero
Military Career • Allegiance – United States of America Republic of Texas • Service – Texas Rangers, Republic of Texas Militia • Years of Service 1835 , 1836 • Rank – Colonel • Unit – Volunteer Army • Commands held – The Alamo, San Antonio • Battles/Wars – Battle of Nacogdoches, Battle of • Concepcion, Grass Fight, • Siege of the Alamo
Bowie Knife • James Bowie did not invent the Bowie knife! His brother Rezin is credited for giving it to him after a fight with a parish sheriff • It is a large butcher like hunting knife which became famous after James Bowie killed a man during a duel turned brawl in Alexandria, Louisiana in 1827 • After this he was known as the South’s best knife fighter
The Alamo • January 19,1836, he arrives in Bexar with 30 men, has orders from Sam Houston to remove cannons and demolish the site • February 23, 1836, the Mexican Army take possession of Bexar and this leads to the Battle of the Alamo • James Bowie in command of the volunteer force, William Travis in charge of regular army troops • The two men shared authority during much of the Siege of the Alamo, which caused some problems
The Alamo • February 24, 1836, James Bowie who is suffering from pneumonia or probably advanced tuberculosis, collapses. He is confined to a cot but tells his volunteers to follow William Travis • March 6, 1836, the Mexicans attack, all 188 defenders of the Alamo die. Santa Anna wants to see the bodies of Bowie, Travis and Crockett. James Bowie lay on his cot in a room on the south side, shot several times in the head.
Sources • www.tshaonline.org • www.lsjunction.com • www.davidstuff.com • http://virtualology.com/americanwest/JAMESBOWIE.NET/ • http://hotx.com/alamo/bowie.html