During his time in Texas prior to the fall of
the Alamo, Jim Bonham moved around a good bit. But owing to a
scarce written record, only a few times and places can be firmly
fixed ... necessitating a certain amount of conjecture in
reconstructing his comings and goings. Questions such as whether
he sought aid from Fannin once or twice probably will never be
answered with absolute certainty, but careful study of the known
facts suggests the sequence of events in this chronology as most
likely.
In October of 1835, prior to his arrival in Texas, hostilities
began at Gonzales and eventually spread to actions around San
Antonio, culminating in the expulsion of Mexican military forces
from Texas in December. It was during this period that Jim Bonham
(hereinafter JBB) arrived in Texas.
Friday 27 November 1835 - JBB arrives in San Felipe with
some members of the Mobile Greys. At that time, Travis who was
then a captain, was with the Texian army ar Bexar.
Saturday 28 November 1835 - Governor Henry Smith announces
to the Council arrival of some of the Mobile Greys in San Felipe,
and states that every effort should be made to reunite them with
the rest of their group.
Monday 30 November 1835 - JBB meets Fannin in San Felipe
... (it is possible that the two may have met previously in
Charleston in 1832 during the Nullification crisis). Fannin
recommends JBB to Governor Smith, and later the same day JBB
visits Smith.
Tuesday 01 December 1835 - JBB writes to Sam Houston,
volunteering his services to the Texian army.
Thursday 03 December 1835 - JBB's letter is read to the
Council who, in the process of reorganizing the army, accept his
offer. Thereafter during most of the month he is engaged in
recruiting activities around San Felipe, and also makes the
decision to settle in nearby Brazoria.
... meanwhile;
Saturday 05 December 1835 - Ben Milam leads the Texians in
an attack against the Mexican garrison at Bexar.
Thursday 10 December 1835 - The Mexican General Cos
surrenders at the Alamo, and is expelled from Texas. Thereafter,
the Texian army begins to dissolve as many of the volunteers are
settlers who are intent on returning to their farms for Christmas
and spring planting.
Saturday 12 December 1835 - The main body of the Mobile
Greys arrives in Bexar and send a message to San Felipe
announcing their arrival.
Sunday 20 December 1835 - JBB departs San Felipe for
Bexar with some members of the Greys and probably with an
assignment from Houston to assess the situation among the
garrison at the Alamo. On this same day, but apparently after his
departure, it is announced that he has been commissioned a
lieutenant in the legion of cavalry. The same announcement named
Travis as lieutenant colonel of cavalry. It is likely that Travis
had arrived in San Felipe only the day before and met with JBB
briefly.
Thursday 31 December 1835 - JBB writes Houston from Bexar,
recommending Wm. S. Blount for appointment as captain of cavalry;
acknowledging his own commission; and announcing (apparently in
compliance with Houston's orders) his imminent departure for La
Bahia (Goliad).
Saturday 02 January 1836 - Although JBB was en route from
Bexar to Goliad, the previously arranged announcement of his
intention to open a law office in Brazoria appeared in the
newspaper. But his duties with the army had intervened to cause
postponement of his beginning practice. 1836 was a leap year.
... meanwhile;
Sunday 03 January 1836 - The Council (without Houston's
knowledge or Smith's agreement) authorizes an expedition to
capture Matamoros. This was to be led by Colonel Frank Johnson,
who was then commanding officer at the Alamo. Johnson, along with
Dr. Grant will strip the Alamo garrison and depart, leaving
Colonel Neill in command of a seriously weakened force.
Sunday 10 January 1836 - Squabbling breaks out among
the Council as complaints about stripping the Alamo are heard.
Sam Houston departs for Goliad to reorganize the army. JBB
remains in the area around Goliad.
Sunday 17 January 1836 - Sam Houston, having arrived at
Goliad sends Bowie (who had himself recently arrived there) with
a group of volunteers to the Alamo. JBB accompanies Bowie and
others back to Bexar. Fannin has not yet come to Goliad.
Tuesday 19 January 1836 - JBB with Bowie's force arrives
in Bexar, and JBB probably lodges with Bowie at the Veramendi
house. Travis is still in San Felipe.
... meanwhile;
Tuesday 26 January 1836 - JBB working with others to
improve the defenses at the Alamo, chairs a committee which
passes a resolution in which the men of the Alamo declare their
support for Governor Smith, as conflict within the Council
continues.
Saturday 30 January 1836 - Houston, disgusted with
intrigue within the government and the army, furloughs himself
until March 1'st when the Constitutional Convention is scheduled
to convene.
Tuesday 02 February 1836 - Bowie writes to the Governor,
asserting that the Alamo must be held.
Wednesday 03 February 1836 - Travis, under orders from
Governor Smith, arrives at the Alamo with 30 men.
Monday 08 February 1836 - Crockett arrives with 12 men.
Thursday 11 February 1836 - Colonel Neill, citing family
problems, departs leaving Bowie and Travis in joint command.
Tuesday 16 February 1836 - Responding to persistent
intelligence reports that Santa Anna will soon be coming with a
large army, JBB is sent to Goliad to seek aid from Fannin, who
has since taken command of that post.
Thursday 18 February 1836 - JBB meets with Fannin and is
unable to persuade him to reinforce the Alamo.
Saturday 20 February 1836 - Having departed Goliad the day
before, JBB celebrates his 29'th birthday as he embarks on visits
to Victoria and other places seeking help for the Alamo.
Tuesday 23 February 1836 - Santa Anna's army arrives at
Bexar, and the Alamo is besieged.
Monday 29 February 1836 - JBB, en route back to the
Alamo, arrives at Gonzales to find that the Gonzales Rangers have
already departed for the Alamo.
Wednesday 02 March 1836 - As independence is declared at
the convention, JBB departs Gonzales for the Alamo and encounters
Sam Maverick who, as a delegate from the Alamo, is traveling to
the convention. Maverick an old friend from South Carolina
advises JBB against returning to the Alamo.
Thursday 03 March 1836 - JBB rides back into the Alamo,
arriving at 11:00AM. Earlier in the morning he met Ben Highsmith
who, returning from delivering yet another unsuccessful appeal to
Fannin, was on his way to Gonzales after having decided against
returning to the Alamo.
Sunday 06 March 1836 - The Alamo falls.