Benjamin Rush Milam, born in Frankfort, Kentucky, in 1788, was a preeminent hero of Texas known for rare initiative and courage, a modest and winning personality, and devoted friendship. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, traded with the Texas Comanche Indians in 1818, was a colonel in the Long Trespalacios Expedition in 1820, worked as a Texas colonizer from 1826 to 1835, and became the first navigator of the upper Red River in 1831. In 1835 he assisted in the capture of Goliad on October 9, planned the attack on San Antonio, and was killed on December 7 while commanding the Texas forces that later captured the town.
