On September 13, 1847, Mexico was involved in a war against America that has been raging on for 16 grueling months, lost six, young heroes at Cerro de Chapultepec. The Mexican teenage military cadets died protecting the military academy during the Mexican-American War.

The cadets were aged 13 to 19 and are remembered today as a symbol of the country's national pride. The nation erected the Los Ninos Heroes Monument at the entrance to Chapultepec Park.

The War

The Chapultepec Castle was converted as a military academy in 1833 and it was left abandoned for nearly two decades. The academy was placed at a strategic point where the soldiers could easily protect Mexico City on its west side from invaders. The castle stood at 200 feet and was naturally fortified by its surrounding landscape.

The war between the two nations began after America recognized Texas' independence in 1846. The Mexicans refused to acknowledge the annexation of the Republic of Texas, leading to a border dispute.

Mexico made an effort to purchase the disputed land, a notion rejected by the American government. Elected President James Polk sent Major General Zachary Taylor to seize the territory. The Mexicans killed a dozen of the general's force and captured 50 before they proceeded to burn an American fort on the Rio Grande.

The move forced American President Polk to call Congress to declare war with Mexico. The declaration was approved on May 23, 1846.

In 1847, the Americans were near conquering Mexico City. The American forces, led by General Winfield Scott, targeted the academy on Chapultepec Hill-he believed it to be the key to capturing Mexico City. The United States' military forces assembled a war council on September 11 and launched an attack.

When the war broke out, the academy had dozens of teenage cadets. Mexican General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana commanded the Mexican Army to defend against invasion. However, his forces were easily outnumbered. General Nicolas Bravo, commander of the troops in Chapultepec Hill, ordered his men to evacuate to safety. Roughly 1,000 men, with some as young as 13 years old, fled the castle.

The Brave

Only the six young cadets refused to surrender and fought to the death to protect the coveted base. They met the American forces head-on and died during the clash.

Juan de la Barrera, 19, was the son of an army general. He became a cadet at the hill when he was 12-years-old. At the time of the attack, Barrera was a lieutenant and a part-time instructor at the academy. He protected the gun battery.

Francisco Marquez, 13, was the youngest. He expressed his intentions to join the ranks when his mother remarried a cavalry captain. He entered the academy eight months before the invasion. He defended the academy's east flank.

Agustin Melgar was the son of a lieutenant colonel in the Mexican Army. He was raised by his sister after both of their parents died. He enrolled to the military program in November 1846. He defended the north side of the castle alone.

Fernando Montes de Oca, 15, entered the academy in early 1847. He was the only cadet left to defend the fort from inside.

Vicente Suarez, 14, was the son of a cavalry officer. He served as an officer cadet at the military academy at the time of the attack.

Juan Escutia, who was aged 15 to 19, entered the academy just four days before the attack. He is often portrayed as a second lieutenant. His records were lost in the war.

All six of the heroes died of gunshot wounds while defending the hill, except Juan Escutia. According to accounts, he was the last one left alive. Refusing to surrender, he pulled the Mexican flag and jumped off a cliff after wrapping himself in it. His body was found beside his corpse of his friend, Francisco Marquez.


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