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.
[Illustration: Brigham monument, marking the graves of eight of the
nine dead at San Jacinto.]
[Illustration: 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"
[Illustration: MY COUNTRY WILL DO JUSTICE TO THEM WHO SERVE HER