Headline: Inspired by the spirited leadership of Benjamin Rush Milam, the newly created Texan Army takes possession of the city of San Antonio, an important victory for the Republic of Texas in its war for independence from Mexico.

Milam was born in 1788 in Kentucky. He immigrated to the Mexican state of Texas and became a citizen of Mexico in 1824. The Mexican government both welcomed and feared the growing numbers of Americans in Texas. When Milam heard in 1835 that Santa Ana had overthrown the Mexican republic and established himself as dictator, Milam gave up his Mexican citizenship and joined the army of the newly independent Republic of Texas.

Milam helped the Texas Army capture the city of Goliad. Then he joined the army for its planned attack on San Antonio. The generals wanted to postpone the attack on San Antonio because of the winter weather. Milam worried that any delay would be end of the revolution, because he knew that Santa Ana’s forces were racing toward Texas to stop it. Milam made a speech asking for volunteers: “Who will go with old Ben Milam into San Antonio?”

Three hundred men did volunteer to join Milam, and the Texas Army began its attack on San Antonio on December 5. By December 9, the defending forces of the Mexican army were badly beaten, and the commanding general surrendered the city. Milam was killed by a sniper bullet on December 7. If he had survived, he might have died in the Battle of the Alamo.

Source: The Texan Army captures San Antonio
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