One of the many legendary heroes of the fight for Texas Independence, James Butler Bonham was a lawyer by profession who grew up in South Carolina. He left his law practice and turned to a stint in the military as captain of a Charleston, S.C., artillery company. In 1835 he led a rally for support of the Texan fight for independence and raised a company of volunteers to fight in Texas. It is believed he traveled to the Alamo with James Bowie, where both men would become legendary figures in Texas history.



Bonham was sent by the commander of the Alamo, Colonel William Travis to find reinforcements for the Alamo at Goliad. When none were to be found he elected to return to the Alamo where he died along with the rest of the Alamo defenders. Jean Flynn provides a biography for younger readers telling his story and how he earned his place in Texas history.