Gregorio y Francisco Esparza: hermanos enfrentados ante la independencia de Texas, 1835-1836

in 1836, the mexican army captured fort alamo outside san antonio. all its defenders, who were fighting for the independence of texas, died in action. among these was gregorio esparza, a native of that city. after this battle, his brother francisco, enlisted in the mexican army, gave him a christian burial. this article examines the saga of the two brothers, virtually unknown in mexico. the first section contextualizes the independence of texas. the second contains the results of the author's documentary research on gregorio and francisco esparza. the third comments on an interview with one of gregorio's sons on the roles played by his father and uncle at the alamo. the fourth critically evaluates the evidence. the fifth provides a reflection on the reasons that led the esparza brothers -and the texan community of mexican origin- to fight each other over the independence of texas. the last section contains appendices with transcriptions of the parish records and censuses of the time and comments on the accounts of gregorio's son and other descendants.