Why Is Jim Bowie Important

We all know about the Battle of the Alamo and its significance. Although Texans were not victorious, the battle influenced many more to join the rebellion for Texas’s freedom. The 13-day siege of Santa Anna led encouraged Texas independence later on. In the battle of the Alamo, many heroes died protecting the land they loved. Among those heroes was a man, James Bowie, also known as Jim Bowie. His legacy has remained strong over the years and his story impresses everyone who hears it.

James Bowie was born on either March or April 10, 1796. He was born to Rezin and Elve Bowie in Terrapin Creek, Kentucky. When James was young, his father and his siblings swore allegiance to the Spanish government. They moved multiple times, but James ended

He is said to have first entered Mexican Texas around 1819. Later on, in 1831, Bowie married a woman named Ursula and they decided to live in San Antonio. He went on occasional expeditions and was rarely home. But in 1833 he lost her to the malignant cholera epidemic. Also, Bowie was included in many skirmishes including the Battle of Nacogdoches where they fought against Jose de las Piedras, a Mexican Commander, and his demands for the Anglo citizens of Anahuac and Mexico to surrender all their claims and weapons.

Another fight Jim Bowie was included in was with his enemy, Norris Wright, in 1826. After he almost died, Rezin, Bowie’s brother, gave him an enormous blade for protection. Bowie was able to put that knife to good use while in a duel with two men when chaos occurred and Wright cut in. They exchanged gunfire and then, with his gigantic blade, Bowie stabbed Wright to death. Everyone who saw this event take place remember the blade as “The Bowie Knife”

When General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna abated Texas government and arrested all Texans in Monclova, Bowie immediately went to the Capital and returned to San Antonio with a group of rebellious military forces. Meanwhile, William B. Travis was writing to Bowie that they were ready to fight in

In January, Bowie arrived back to Bexar after he was off on some missions. Circumstances there were melancholy, the troops were in poor condition, and they planned on leaving as well as some families. Bowie wrote to Governor Smith and asked for help. Soon a multitude of men were being brought.

On February 23, 1836, a huge event took place. Mexicans were nearing Bexar, about 1,500 men, and Bowie and Travis sent for Fannin’s help, who was in Goliad. The Mexicans soon closed in on them and asked for the Texans to surrender, but that was not going to occur. Then, Bowie went limp and fell from his tuberculosis.

On March 5th, Santa Anna declared his attack for the following day, which would take place very early. Bowie and his troops were completely outnumbered. Santa Anna’s army were very skilled. Travis was one of the first to perish. Bowie, sadly, was very ill and was murdered in his own bed. The attack was so quick because the Mexican army had no pity for the Texan