Starting October 7, the San Jacinto Monument's Observation Floor will close for renovation, open on weekends, with discounted museum admission during this time.

Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

BRUFF, CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS -- Came to Texas in January, 1836, as is stated in the Headright Certificate issued to for February 7, 1838 for one-third of a league of land by the Harrisburg Land Commissioners. On an army roll in the General Land Office he is shown as having subscribed to the oath of Allegiance to Texas at Nacogdoches January 14, 1836.

Mr. Bruff was issued Bounty Certificate No. 277 for 1280 acres of land for having served in the army from February 13, 1836 to October 4, 1837. When discharged he was a member of Captain Robert Boyd Irvine's Company. He was a member of Captain Amasa Turner's Company of regulars at San Jacinto and on March 10, 1852 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 425 for 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle. He was living in Travis County, March 10, 1852 when he sold the certificate to Jacob De Cordova for eighty dollars.

Carried messages from Gen. Houston to Capt. Wyly Martin and Capt. Moseley Baker.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. Amasa Turner

Personal Statistics

  • Came to Texas: 1836 Jan
  • Bounty Certificate: 277
  • Donation Certificate: 425