A hero of the Texas Revolution is to receive full military honors on the Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The “Old Guard,” the Army’s ceremonial unit which guards the Tombs of the Unknowns in Arlington Cemetery, is honoring one of its own officers.

On April 7, 1836, two weeks before the Battle of San Jacinto, U.S. Major General Edmund P. Gaines sent First Lieutenant Joseph Bonnell, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The “Old Guard”), Fort Jesup, Louisiana, to the Caddo villages of East Texas to persuade the Indians to remain at peace. An estimated 1,700 Indian warriors had gathered in East Texas, threatening Texans during the Texas Revolution. Lieutenant Bonnell’s lone mission into Texas was successful. He convinced Caddo Chief Cortes to have the warriors return to their villages and live in peace.

This is the same Lieutenant Joseph Bonnell who General Sam Houston selected to be his Aide-de-Camp. This is the same Joseph Bonnell whose name appears on the Texas Army’s “List of Officers” along with well-known names such as Travis and Fannin.

Last fall, it was discovered that Captain Joseph Bonnell lay in an unmarked grave in Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia. He had died in Philadelphia in 1840 at the age of 38 and had been buried in a civil funeral ceremony. A Veterans Affairs grave marker was ordered and placed on his grave. A historical marker was also placed on the grave site by the West Point Society of Philadelphia. The military historian of this National Historic Landmark cemetery, a professor at Temple University, has organized the memorial dedication ceremony for noon on May 29, 2005.

The Texas State House of Representatives has issued a Resolution honoring Joseph Bonnell. A 26-star United States flag is being manufactured especially for this memorial dedication ceremony. Captain Joseph Bonnell was the only United States Army officer who could be considered a hero of the Texas Revolution.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Anthony Waskie, Ph.D., (215) 204-5452