Benjamin Milam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Benjamin Milam
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| Born | October 20, 1788 |
| Died | December 7, 1835 (aged 47) San Antonio, Coahuila y Tejas, Mexico
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Leading the final attack to capture San Antonio during the Siege of Béxar |
Benjamin Rush "Ben" Milam (born October 20, 1788 – died December 7, 1835) was an American pioneer and a brave military leader. He is known as a hero of the Texas Revolution. Ben Milam was born in what is now Kentucky. He first fought alongside Americans during the Mexican War of Independence. Later, he joined the Texians in their own fight for independence from Mexico.
Milam became an important leader in the Texas Revolution. During the Siege of Béxar, many Texian soldiers were tired and wanted to give up. Ben Milam convinced them not to retreat. He led a daring attack into the city of San Antonio. Sadly, he was killed during this battle. However, his actions helped the Texian Army win, leading to the Mexican Army's surrender. Many places in Texas, like Milam County, Texas and the town of Milam, are named in his honor.
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Ben Milam's Early Life
Ben Milam was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, on October 20, 1788. At that time, Kentucky was still part of Virginia. He was one of six children. Ben grew up in the wild western frontier of the early United States. He did not have much formal schooling.
When he was a young man, Milam joined the Kentucky Militia. He started as a private and later became a lieutenant. He also served in the War of 1812, which was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain.
Adventures in Texas
In 1818, Ben Milam heard about trading chances with Native Americans along the Red River. He traveled from Kentucky to Spanish Texas to trade with the Comanche people. While there, he met David G. Burnet.
In 1819, Milam met José Félix Trespalacios and James Long in New Orleans. They planned an expedition to Texas. Their goal was to help Mexican revolutionaries fight for independence from Spain. Milam decided to join them on this journey, which became known as the Long Expedition.
The expedition captured Nacogdoches in 1819. But it fell apart when a Spanish army arrived. Milam helped Long gather his forces again near Galveston the next year. By 1821, Milam had left Long's new expedition. Milam and Trespalacios went to Veracruz and Mexico City. Both groups faced trouble and were put in prison.
Milam and his friends were held in Mexico City. They were freed in 1822 with help from Joel Roberts Poinsett, a U.S. official. By 1824, Milam had returned to Mexico. Mexico was forming a new government based on the 1824 Constitution of Mexico. Milam became a Mexican citizen and was made a colonel in the Mexican Army.
The Texas Revolution Begins
In 1825, Milam became partners with Arthur G. Wavell. They started a silver mine in Nuevo León. They also received special grants to bring settlers to Texas. However, their plans to bring new citizens to Texas did not work out. The Mexican government canceled their contract in 1830.
In 1835, Milam went to Monclova, the capital of Coahuila y Texas. He wanted the new governor, Agustín Viesca, to help settlers in Texas get land titles. But then, news arrived that Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna had taken over the government. He had created a dictatorship. Governor Viesca tried to escape with Milam, but both were captured. They were put in prison at Monterrey. Milam eventually escaped thanks to some kind jailers.
By chance, Milam met a group of Texian soldiers. He learned about the fight for independence in Texas. Milam joined them and helped capture Goliad on October 10, 1835. He later wrote about his feelings: "I assisted Texas to gain her independence. I have endured heat and cold, hunger and thirst... But the events of this night have compensated me for all my losses and all my sufferings."
The Siege of Béxar
After Goliad, Milam joined the main Texian Army. They were trying to remove all Mexican forces from Texas. Their goal was to capture San Antonio during the Siege of Béxar. On December 4, 1835, Milam found out that most of the army wanted to stop fighting. They planned to go into winter quarters instead of attacking San Antonio.
The Texian commander, Edward Burleson, and his officers were not sure about attacking. The next day, Milam went to Burleson's tent. He asked for permission to ask for volunteers to storm the city. Burleson agreed to Milam's plan. Milam believed that delaying the attack would be terrible for the cause of independence. He then made his famous and powerful plea: "Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?" Three hundred men cheered and agreed to attack at dawn on December 5.
Plans were quickly made for a surprise attack with two groups. The volunteers would meet at an abandoned mill at 3 AM. Burleson would keep the rest of the army ready. At the same time, Captain James C. Neill would fire cannons at the Alamo. This was the center of the Mexican Army's defense. This would distract the Mexican soldiers. Early on December 5, Colonel Milam and Colonel Frank W. Johnson each led a group of attackers into the city. They fought their way in and held their positions overnight.
On December 7, 1835, the Texians continued their attack. They moved further into the city. But Ben Milam was killed while leading the attack. He was standing with Johnson and Henry Karnes near a house. Milam was using a telescope to look at the San Fernando church tower. A Mexican rifleman shot him in the head, and he died instantly. He fell into the arms of Samuel Maverick. Robert Morris took over Milam's command.
The Mexican Army lost more than 400 soldiers in the battle. The Texians lost only 20 to 30 soldiers. The siege ended on December 9, 1835. General Martín Perfecto de Cos of the Mexican Army agreed to a truce. The Texians allowed Cos and his troops to leave the Alamo. They even gave the Mexican Army supplies. Mexican soldiers who were wounded were allowed to stay and be treated by Texian doctors.
Remembering Ben Milam
Many places and monuments honor Ben Milam:
- In 1897, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas placed a marker on Milam's grave. It is in Milam Park in San Antonio.
- On July 17, 1938, a statue of Milam was shown at the Milam County Courthouse in Cameron, Texas.
- Many places in Texas are named after Milam. These include the Ben Milam Hotel and Milam Street in Houston and the Milam Building in San Antonio.
