Don Juan was a Mexican Hussar memorialized after his fall at the Battle of Buena Vista (AKA Batalla De La Angostura), fought in 1847 near Puerto de la Angostura, Coahuila.
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Death of Don Juan at the Battle of Buena Vista
Don Juan was a well respected commander under General Santa Anna of Mexican Hussars. Witnesses of the battle said that he was jovial the morning of the battle and shared a brandy with his other comrades. During this last drink the soldiers were discussing what they would do during the battle. It is reported that Don Juan said that he hope to bring Santa Anna an American Flag to [1] victory.
The battle started and as it progressed Don Juan's men surrounded a regiment from Mississippi which they recognized because of their flag. Don Juan rode over to join his men. The Mississippi leader dropped to his knees and begged for his life, talking about his wife and children, and promised to lead his men to retreat if they were spared. In reaction Don Juan took pity on them and signaled the retreat to his men and turned his horse around to ride away. As he did this the Mississippi soldier allegedly shot him in the back with a rifle. Shooting in the back is considered dishonorable, especially after a truce has been made. Don Juan fell dead from his horse and in retribution the Mexican Hussars rushed the Mississippi and killed them all including their leader.
The witness who recorded this story says that he carried the body over to Santa Anna, who recognized him instantly and was truly sad because they had been good friends. The recorder of the story goes on to say that in the hands of Don Juan was an American flag and that Luyando had fulfilled his promise to bring on to Santa Anna. Over the years the story has been incorporated into the history of Mexico and as an example of the honor of the Mexican Hussars and Mexico in War.
Biographical Information
According to noted Mexican historian Teniente Coronel Intendente Ret. Ricardo Raúl Palmerín Cordero, Don Juan was born in 1818 to Juan Nepomuceno Luyando Acosta and Gertrudis Colarte Bello. Don Juan married on October 13, 1842, México (San José y Nuestra Señora del Sagrado Corazón), Dona Dolores Álvarez Mamano (b. 1827). According to Dr. Javier Sanchiz of UNAM and the University of Michigan. Their oldest child was María de Jesús Luyando Álvarez, wife of Don Juan García de León Pavón of Mexico City. Don Juan also had a second wife named Antonia Serrano Aguilar with descendants. Translated work of Dr. Javier Sanchiz