U.S.-Mexican War Monuments and Memorials: Austin, Texas

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MEXICO CITY

Monument, Mexico City National Cemetery

Located at 31 Virginia Fabregas, Colonia San Rafael, Mexico City.

This modest marble shaft was erected to mark the mass grave of 750 American soldiers who were killed in the battles of August and September 1847 in the Valley of Mexico or who died during the American occupation of the capital. The marker pictured here is either the second or third that has been placed on this site.

The cemetery, established in 1851, originally consisted of two acres. In 1976, highway construction forced a reduction in size to a single acre.

Apparently in deference to Mexican sensibilities, the wording on the marker is ambiguous. It makes no reference to the war, nor does it identify those buried there as soldiers. It also implies that they are unknown, even though casualty lists exist for all Mexican War battles and rosters of troops quartered in Mexico City include reports of deceased soldiers.

To learn more, visit the DMWV's Mexico City National Cemetery Page or
the American Battle Monument's Commission's Mexico City National Cemetery Page.

Click here to see a large (794x605 pixels) photo of the cemetery and monument.

(Thanks to Ruben Arvizu for providing the above photo.)

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

If you know of a Mexican War monument or memorial that honors a particular veteran or group of veterans (U.S. or Mexican), please send details, along with a color photograph if possible, to:

DMWV National Office
P.O. Box 830482
Richardson, TX 75083-0482

THANK YOU!

Permission is granted to reproduce this page for non-profit educational purposes only.