DEAD ON THE FIELD OF HONOR
Prior to the erection of the present great shaft, the principal memorial on the battlefield was a plain square spire monument of Rutland variegated marble, fifteen and one-half feet high, which with the base stands seventeen feet. After its dedication it was placed at the grave of Benjamin R. Brigham, one of the nine Texans who were killed or mortally wounded in the battle, and whose bodies, with one exception, were buried on the ground on which the Texan army had camped April 20. Board markers had been placed at all of the graves but when in 1879 Judge J. L. Sullivan of Richmond, Texas, began to raise funds by public subscription to erect a joint monument where their bodies lay, the grave of Brigham was alone recognizable.
The monument was unveiled at Galveston with fitting ceremonies August 25, 1881, Temple Houston, youngest son of General Sam Houston, being the orator of the occasion. On April 23, 1883, the Eighteenth Legislature purchased for $1,500, ten acres of land surrounding the monument. This was the beginning of the present San Jacinto State Park.
Carved on the east front of the monument is: “DEAD ON THE FIELD OF HONOR”
Below which, in bold relief is a Lone Star, surrounded by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves.
Beneath the star: “B. R. BRIGHAM”
On the base: “SAN JACINTO”
Near the top of the shaft is a polished band, upon which are cut two stars on each front and one above the band on the east front. These represent the nine who fell in the battle.
Brigham monument, marking the graves of eight of the nine dead at San Jacinto.
Marker at site of Santa Anna’s surrender at San Jacinto.
On the north front, beneath the heading:
“TWO DAYS BEFORE THE BATTLE”
is recorded the statement of General Houston:
“This morning we are in preparation to meet Santa Anna. It is the only chance of saving Texas. From time to time I have looked for reinforcements in vain: We will only have about seven hundred men to march with besides the camp guard. We go on to conquer. It is wisdom growing out of necessity to meet the enemy now. Every consideration enforces it. No previous occasion would justify it. The troops are in fine spirits and now is the time for action. We shall use our best efforts to fight the enemy to such advantage as will insure victory though the odds are greatly against us.
“I leave the result in the hands of a wise God, and rely upon His providence.
“My country will do justice to those who serve her. The right for which we fight will be secured, and Texas free.”
Below this is inscribed: “REMEMBER THE ALAMO”
On the south front beneath the heading: “THE DAY AFTER THE BATTLE”
is the report of Thomas J. Rusk, Secretary of War:
“The sun was sinking in the horizon as the battle commenced, but, at the close of the conflict, the sun of liberty and independence rose in Texas, never, it is to be hoped, to be obscured by the clouds of despotism. We have read of deeds of chivalry, and pursued with ardour the annals of war; we have contemplated, with the highest emotions of sublimity, the loud roaring thunder, the desolating tornado, and the withering simoon of the desert; but neither of these, nor all, inspired us with emotions like those felt on this occasion! There was a general cry which pervaded the ranks: Remember the ALAMO! Remember LA BAHIA! These words electrified all. Onward was the cry. The unerring aim and irresistible energy of the Texan army could not be withstood, it was freemen fighting against the minions of tyranny and the result proved the inequality of such a contest.”
And below is the love song, then popular, which one of Houston’s charging soldiers is said to have played on the flute: “WILL YOU COME TO THE BOWER”
On the west front:
“This monument stands at the grave of
BENJAMIN RICE BRIGHAM
who was mortally wounded April 21, 1836
“Nearby rest
LEMUEL STOCKTON BLAKEY
JOHN C. HALE
GEORGE A. LAMB
DR. WM. JUNIUS MOTTLEY
MATHIAS COOPER
THOMAS PATTON FOWLE
ASHLEY R. STEPHENS
“Who were also killed or mortally wounded in the battle of San Jacinto
“OLWYN J. TRASK
died on Galveston Island on about May 20 from the effects of the wound he had received on the San Jacinto Battlefield in the skirmish of April 20, 1836.
“This shaft was erected in 1881 by voluntary contributions of citizens of Texas to forever mark the spot where these heroes sleep and to perpetuate a knowledge of their names and prowess”
On the base following this tribute is the war cry, “REMEMBER GOLIAD”
MY COUNTRY WILL DO JUSTICE TO THEM WHO SERVE HER
THE RIGHT FOR WHICH WE FIGHT WILL BE RESCUED AND TEXAS FREE
GENERAL HOUSTON APRIL 19 1836
OFFICERS AND MEN OF THE TEXAS ARMY WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE BATTLE FOUGHT HERE APRIL 21 1836 OR IN THE SKIRMISH OF THE PREVIOUS DAY