John Christopher Columbus Hill facts for kids

John Christopher Columbus Hill (born November 15, 1828 – died February 16, 1904) was a Texan citizen. When he was just 13 years old, he joined his father and brother on an important journey called the Mier Expedition. During this adventure, he was captured by Mexican forces. However, something unexpected happened: the Mexican president, Santa Anna, adopted him! John later became a very successful engineer, working in both the United States and Mexico.

John Hill's Early Life

John C.C. Hill was born on November 15, 1828, in Columbus, Georgia. He was the first Anglo-American baby born in that city. His family, including his older brother James Monroe Hill, later moved to Fayette County, in central Texas. James had even fought in the famous Battle of San Jacinto.

The Hill family had also taken in a young Mexican boy named José Mendes. José was captured from Santa Anna's army during the Battle of San Jacinto. The Hills raised and educated him like their own son. Back in the early 1800s, it was sometimes a custom during wars to take in captured boys. These boys could later help as interpreters, speaking both languages. José Mendes went to Rutersville College in Texas. John C.C. Hill, on the other hand, went to college in Mexico.

The Mier Expedition: A Teenager's Adventure

News arrived that volunteers were needed to protect San Antonio. Mexican General Adrián Woll was invading. John's father, Asa Hill, and his brother, Jeffrey Barksdale Hill, decided to go. John, who was only 13, really wanted to join them. After much discussion, his family allowed him to go. Before leaving, his older brother, James Monroe Hill, gave John his rifle. James was sick and could not go. He told John, "Don't you ever surrender it to a Mexican."

On September 15, 1842, the Hills met with other volunteers. Their group grew to about 200 men as they moved toward San Antonio. That fall, several important events happened. These included the capture of San Antonio, the Battle of Salado Creek (1842), and the Dawson Massacre. The Somervell Expedition involved about 700 men. The Mier Expedition, with about 300 men, was a part of the Somervell Expedition.

John turned 14 in November 1842. By late December, the group reached the Mexican border. On December 23, a gun accidentally fired, sadly killing John's 14-year-old friend, Jessie Yocum.

On December 25, the Texans, led by Captain William S. Fisher, entered the town of Ciudad Mier. A battle began with Mexican troops, led by General Pedro de Ampudia. In the Battle of Mier, John and several other young boys bravely shot many Mexican soldiers.

After the Battle of Mier

When the Texan soldiers finally surrendered, they were told to throw their weapons into a pile. But John remembered his brother's words. He refused to give up the rifle. Instead, he broke his rifle into pieces rather than surrender it.

This brave act caught the attention of the Mexican soldiers. John was brought before General Ampudia. The General was impressed by the young boy. Instead of making John a prisoner like his father and brother, General Ampudia decided to take John into his own care for a while.

Life in Mexico

Eventually, John was taken to Mexico City. There, he was adopted by the President of Mexico, Antonio López de Santa Anna. John received an excellent education at the Colegio de Mineria, which was a mining school.

Later in his life, John helped to translate the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. This treaty officially ended the Mexican-American War. He also helped to arrange deals for railroads in both the United States and Mexico.

In 1855, John married the daughter of a Spanish general. They had four children together. After she passed away 36 years later, he married the daughter of an English immigrant.

In 1897, John C.C. Hill was honored as a lifetime member of the Texas State Historical Association.