DUANE
Duane's take
Here's how the official marker tells it — and this one's worth every word. The name on the stone is Enrique Esparza, born September 1824, died December 20, 1917. Son of Gregorio Esparza, an Alamo defender.
Now hold that thought — because what this marker is really about is what an eleven-year-old boy saw inside those walls. February 23rd, 1836. The Mexican Army begins its siege.
And there is young Enrique, not a soldier, not a commander — just a boy — alongside his mother, his two brothers, and his sister. They are present for all of it. Every last day, from February 23rd to March 6th, 1836.
Hidden in a pile of hay. Think about that for a moment. A pile of hay.
That is where this child waits out the siege of the Alamo. And from that hiding place, he sees his father fall. Gregorio Esparza — gone.
And if that were not enough for one young soul to carry, Enrique also witnesses the heroic death of James Bowie, on his sick bed. He watches what happens after the battle ends, too. The bodies of the Texans burned in two huge pyres.
An eleven-year-old boy, hidden in the hay, sees all of it. He survives. And because he survives, something extraordinary happens — not right away, but in time.
His eyewitness story becomes invaluable. He was one of few survivors who could tell the world what truly happened inside those walls. Born September 1824.
Died December 20, 1917. Enrique Esparza lived long enough for that story to matter — and it did.
What the marker says
Son of Alamo defender Gregorio Esparaza, 11-year old Enrique, his mother, two brothers, and sister were present at the seige by the Mexican Army (Feb. 23-Mar. 6, 1836). Hidden in a pile of hay, the youth saw his father fall and sitnessed 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.