Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar
Mirabeau Lamar—wife
dead, dreams shattered—came to Texas to begin life anew. But he had to fight
for that fresh start. On April 20th, 1836, Private Lamar
distinguished himself in the skirmish preceding the battle of San Jacinto.
Fighting on horseback, the Georgia cavalier rescued comrades that enemy lancers had surrounded. One was
Walter P. Lane, a future Confederate general; the other was Secretary of War
and future senator, Thomas Jefferson Rusk. Mexican cavalrymen, admirers of
audacious horsemanship, applauded as Lamar rode away. He reined in, spun his
charger, and acknowledged their tribute with a gracious bow. General Sam
Houston promoted Lamar to colonel on the spot and the next day he led Texian
horsemen to glory. His
valor at San Jacinto secured his future in Texas politics.
Benjamin
Rush Milam
On
December 4, 1835, Colonel Ben Milam discovered the Texian army abandoning the
Siege of Béxar. Milam charged into General Edward Burleson’s tent demanding
explanation. Burleson had been forced to yield to the demands of the war
council. But he agreed to let Milam beat for volunteers. He stormed through
camp bellowing, “Who will go with Old Ben Milam into San Antonio?” Three
hundred volunteers responded. The next day a five-day assault ensued. On
December 7, an enemy sniper shot Milam through the head, killing him instantly.
Vowing to avenge their fallen leader, Texian soldiers forced a Mexican
surrender on December 10. Texians won a decisive victory. Milam, who had fought
with Mexico for independence from Spain, rallied the way for Texas
independence.