Southside in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Enrique Esparza

(September, 1824 - December 20, 1917)

Photographed By James Hulse, October 9, 2022

1. Enrique Esparza Marker

Inscription. Son of Alamo defender Gregorio Esparza, 11-year old Enrique, his mother, two brothers and sister were present at the seige by the Mexican Army (Feb 23 - March 6, 1836). Hidden in a pile of hay, the youth saw his father fall and witnessed the heroic death of James Bowie on his sick bed. He then watched the bodies of the Texans burn in two huge pyres. Enrique Esparza's eye-witness story later became invaluable, for he was one of few survivors.Recorded - 1968

Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 1502.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Hispanic Americans • War, Texas Independence. A significant historical date for this entry is March 6, 1968.

Location. 29° 14.406′ N, 98° 28.009′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Southside. Marker is on Leal Road, 0.1 miles north of Martinez Losoya Road, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the southeastern entrance to the El Carmen Church next to the cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18555 Leal Road, San Antonio TX 78221, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. El Carmen Cemetery (a few steps from this marker); The Battle of the Medina

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(approx. 0.4 miles away); Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 2.2 miles away); a different marker also named Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 4.1 miles away); San Antonio Missions (approx. 5.4 miles away); Mastering New Mysteries (approx. 5.4 miles away); Granary (approx. 5.4 miles away); Espada Mission (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Antonio.

Also see . . . Esparza, Enrique (1828–1917). Texas State Historical Association

Enrique Esparza, witness of the battle of the Alamo, son of Gregorio Esparza and Ana Salazar, was probably born in September 1828, although he claimed to have been born in 1824. His father was killed in the defense of the Alamo. In an interview with Charles Merritt Barnes, writer for the San Antonio Express, in 1907, Esparza begins his narration concerning his Alamo experience by saying, "All the others are dead. I alone live of they who were within the Alamo when it fell. There is none other left now to tell its story, and when I go to sleep my last slumber
Photographed By James Hulse, October 9, 2022

2. Enrique Esparza Marker
in the Campo de los Santos (cemetery), there will then be no one left to tell. You ask me do I remember it, I tell you, Yes. It is burned into my brain and indelibly seared there. Neither age nor infirmity could make me forget for the scene was one of such horror that it could never be forgotten."

(Submitted on October 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

The Enrique Esparza Marker is located on the left side of the church entrance image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 9, 2022

3. The Enrique Esparza Marker is located on the left side of the church entrance

The El Carmen Church and Cemetery image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, October 9, 2022

4. The El Carmen Church and Cemetery

The marker is located behind the bushes and not seen in the photo.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 86 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 19, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.