Asa Hill, whose gun had discharged. On December 25, the Texans under Captain William S. Fisher moved into the town of Mier, and a battle with Mexican troops under General Pedro de Ampudia ensued. In the Battle of Mier, John and several other boys were given the task of killing members of the Mexican artillery corps, and John shot between 12 and 17 Mexican soldiers. Aftermath of the Battle of Mier When the Texan soldiers eventually surrendered, they were told to cast down their weapons into a pile. John, however, heeded his brother's request to never give up the rifle and broke his rifle rather than surrender. This brazen act attracted the attention of the Mexicans, and Hill was brought to General Ampudia. Ampudia took a liking to the boy, and rather than make him a prisoner like his father and brother, took John temporarily into his own care. Life in Mexico Eventually, John was taken to Mexico City where he accepted being adopted by the President of Mexico, Antonio López de Santa Anna. He was educated at the Colegio de Mineria, or Mining School. Later, John helped to translate the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and to negotiate railroad deals in the United States and Mexico. In 1855, he married the daughter of a Spanish general and eventually had four children with her. After her death 36 years later, he married the daughter of an English immigrant. In 1897, he was named an honorary life member of the Texas State Historical Association. References External links John Christopher Columbus Hill entry at The Handbook of Texas Online People from Fayette County, Texas 1828 births 1904 deaths Mining engineers People from Columbus, Georgia Adoptees Mexican-American culture History of Texas