James Milford Day (11 May 1815 – 22 October 1894) was a 19th-century Texas military figure. He was a member of
Mathew Caldwell
Matthew Caldwell, (March 8, 1798 – December 28, 1842), also spelled Mathew Caldwell was a 19th-century Texas settler, military figure, Captain of the Gonzales – Seguin Rangers and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Because of ...
James Milford Day was born May 11, 1815, in Anderson County, South Carolina. He was the son of Johnson Day and Sarah Hembree. Day accompanied his parents and siblings to Texas in 1835 and became part of the Runaway Scrape, that preceded
Sam Houston
Samuel Houston (, ; March 2, 1793 – July 26, 1863) was an American general and statesman who played an important role in the Texas Revolution. He served as the first and third president of the Republic of Texas and was one of the first two i ...
's march to the battle of San Jacinto in 1836. When returning, the Johnson Day and George Nichols families met Henry B. King and John R. King along with a group bound for Texas near St. Augustine. With the same destination agreed upon, the three groups decided it safer to travel together. The troop arrived at Gonzales, Texas on October 6, 1837. Misfortune hit the Day family in Gonzales, when the father was killed in 1838. That same year, James Milford Day married Martha Nichols and they had 2 children. A third child died along with Martha during birth. Day's Mother would help raise and care for the children.
Career in Texas
In 1838, Day became one of the founders of
Walnut Springs
Walnut Springs is a city located in Bosque County in Central Texas. The population was 827 at the 2010 census.
Geography
Walnut Springs is located at (32.058353, –97.749190).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a to ...
, a new town in Gonzales County, Texas. During this time, he moved his mother into an adobe built home in his new town. Day would join
Mathew Caldwell
Matthew Caldwell, (March 8, 1798 – December 28, 1842), also spelled Mathew Caldwell was a 19th-century Texas settler, military figure, Captain of the Gonzales – Seguin Rangers and a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence. Because of ...
's Gonzales–Seguin Rangers in 1839. Caldwell stationed half of his men in the town, to protect the new settlers of the upcoming town.Moore (2006), p. 198–199. The Day home site would be used extensively by the Rangers and become known as the Seguin Ranger Station.
Texas Republic Ranger
On March 29, 1839, a company of 80 men commanded by General Edward Burleson had defeated
Vicente Córdova
Vicente is an Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese name. Like its French variant, Vincent, it is derived from the Latin name ''Vincentius'' meaning "conquering" (from Latin ''vincere'', "to conquer").
Vicente may refer to:
Location
*São Vicente, Cap ...
and his rebels during a battle near Seguin, Texas, at "Battleground Prairie". Córdova survived, but was pursued by Caldwell's Rangers, Seguin militia and members of the
Henry Karnes
Henry Wax Karnes (September 8, 1812August 16, 1840) was notable as a soldier and figure of the Texas Revolution, as well as the commander of General Sam Houston's "Spy Squad" at the Battle of San Jacinto.
Biography
Henry Wax Karnes, a native of ...
company, thus insuring his departure from Texas. While Day and his company were scouting and camped on the Guadalupe River, he was surprised by Cordova's fleeing company. Although holding their own, he was severely wounded but survived. It was here he would suffer an injury that impaired his ability to walk for the rest of his life.Moore (2006), p. 194. Day was a participant in the battle of Plum Creek on August 12, 1840.Moore (2007), p. 106. On September 18, 1842, Day fought at the
battle of Salado Creek
Salado Creek ( ) is a waterway in San Antonio that runs from northern Bexar County for about to the San Antonio River near Buena Vista.Seguin Gazette Newspaper Article /ref>