Book Description

Born in San Antonio, Texas under the Spanish flag, Juan Nepomuceno Seguin grew up on the perilous frontier of Hispanic America. As a teenager he observed Comanche attacks on the little pueblo on the banks of the San Antonio River as well as the scorched earth rampage of Spanish soldiers destroying those who sought independence from Spain. After that revolution's carnage, another one soon followed as Texas fought for independence from Mexico. A youthful Juan Seguin sided with Anglo-American colonizer Stephen F Austin and distinguished himself in the Battle of San Jacinto against Mexican dictator Antonio López de Santa Anna. Promoted from Captain to Lt Colonel, Seguin was placed in charge of the Texas forces at San Antonio.In 1838, Juan Seguin was elected to the new Republic of Texas Senate. Later, he became mayor of San Antonio. In 1841, a Mexican general visiting San Antonio spread the rumor that Seguin was a secret agent of the Mexican government. Though innocent of the charge, Seguin received death threats from newly arrived Americans to San Antonio who resented the presence of a Texas-Mexican, or Tejano, mayor. Forced to resign his position and flee to Mexico, Seguin was arrested and forced to fight under the command of Santa Anna against his former comrades in arms. He later fought for Mexico in the U.S. - Mexican war and distinguished himself in battle.After the war, Seguin returned to Texas and lived on his father's ranch. In an attempt to clear his name, Juan wrote his memoirs. He was elected Justice of the Peace for two terms and later became judge of nearby Wilson County.In 1867, after the death of his father, Seguin sold his assets in Texas and moved to the Mexican border town of Nuevo Laredo where he died and was buried in 1890. His remains were later moved to Seguin, Texas, a town named for him after his heroics at San Jacinto.