Texas Revolution Patriot Pioneer and Soldier

 Born in Kentucky - Mr. Bowie’s parents were Reason and Elve Ap-Catesby. - James was the ninth of ten children and was also known as Jim. - The family moved frequently before settling southeastern Louisiana. - They owned a plantation near Opelousas, LA and grew cotton. - James Bowie’s father bought and sold slaves. 

 During his teens James Bowie operated a sugar mill and floated lumber to market.  James Bowie was a land speculator and was known to use some questionable ways in obtaining land.  James loved to fish and hunt.  Family tradition says he caught and rode wild horses, rode alligators, and trapped bears.  He was described as a stout rather raw boned man. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 180 pounds. He had light colored hair, grey eyes, a fair complexion and high cheek bones.

 James Bowie 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.  He was baptized into the Catholic Church.  In 1830 Mr. Bowie became a Mexican citizen.  James Bowie searched for silver and gold. Rumors have that he found the fabled San Saba mines, also know as the “Bowie mines.”  Mr. Bowie’s wife and two children died while he was away from a outbreak of cholera.

 James Bowie was known to speak his mind and to have a temper.  A friend described him as clever and a polite gentleman who was attentive to the ladies. He was a true friend. A man no one dared to undervalue and many feared.  Mr. Bowie was a slave trader, gambler, land speculator, dreamer, schemer and hero.

 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

 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.  The Bowie knife 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  After this fight he was known as the South’s best knife fighter.

 January 19,1836, he arrives in Bexar with 30 men. Mr. Bowie 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 is in command of the volunteer force while William Travis is in charge of regular army troops.  The two men share authority during much of the Siege of the Alamo which causes some problems.

 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.

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