An Account of the Discovery of Benjamin Rush Milams Remains in 1848

An Account
of the Discovery
of Benjamin Rush Milam's
Remains in 1848

Published in the New Orleans Daily Delta, 1 September 1848.

Correspondence of the Delta: Discovery and Disinterment of the Bones of Texan Heroes.

Eds. Delta-You must know that there is a monumental society recently organized in La Grange, whose avowed object is to collect the bones of the gallant dead, wherever they may be, who have fallen while contending against the enemies of liberty; and truly they are scattered far and wide. They bleach the plains and valleys from the Sabine to the city of Mexico. In addition to the remains of the decimated [i.e., the Mier Expedition prisoners executed at Salado, Mexico, on 25 March 25 1843], which you have already noticed in your paper, they have procured the remains of about sixteen of [Nicholas M.] Dawson's ill-fated corps, who were cut to pieces in a small grove near the Soldado [the battle of the Salado, 18 September 1842] by the Mexican cannon whilst contending against ten times their numbers. His company consisted of about one hundred, and about eighty were killed; a few made their escape and a few taken prisoners.

Col. J[ohn]. H[enry]. Moore, one of our most worthy and patriotic citizens, was dispatched about ten days since to procure, if possible, the remains of Milam, Crockett, Travis, Bowie and others. On his arrival at San Antonio and making his business known, all of the principal citizens seemed quite willing that he should have the bones, and kindly offered any assistance of which he might stand in need.

The place being identified where Milam slept, which was in the kitchen yard of the Berementh [Veramendi] House, under an accumulation of the most disgusting filth and rubbish, they proceeded to disinter and found the entire frame about two feet below the surface. He was buried within a few feet of where he was killed. It has now been about thirteen years since, and yet his bones still clung together; his boots were almost entire and had to be pulled to pieces to get out the bones of the feet. Upon examination, a bullet hole was observed in the right temple, and a small quantity of hair still adhered to the scalp. Col. Moore put the bones in a box and was about leaving, and repairing to the Alamo for the remains of others, when a hasty town meeting was called. It had been gotten up upon the representations of Mr. [Samuel] Maverick, the matter submitted to a vote, and Col. Moore was informed that he could not have them. There was considerable excitement when Col. Moore left. Whether they will restore [Milam] to his late resting-place in the kitchen yard amidst all manner of filth, or whether they grace some quack doctor's office with his bones, is impossible to tell. The idea of erecting a monument to this gallant hero's memory was never thought of until Col. Moore went for his bones. Col. Moore and those who went with him declare that they never saw such large bones in their lives-indeed they looked like the bones of a giant. Upon their refusal to give them up, Col. Moore and his friends retraced their way gloomily home.

Our monument is intended to cost about one hundred thousand dollars, and will be commenced shortly. It is to be located on the bluff nearly opposite La Grange, which is rather in bad taste, I think. I would rather see it located in the public square...