Monument Hill - La Grange Texas

Monument Hill is located in La Grange, TX and is the burial site of men who died during the Dawson Massacre in 1842 and the Mier expedition in 1842. The Mier Expedition would result in the black bean incident of March 1843. Locals in the area brought the remains back of the men and interred them in this spot so they would always be remembered.

For a little historical context, the Dawson Massacre occurred during the second invasion of Texas by Mexico and was a result of misinformation with Captain Dawson believing that Colonel Caldwell's forces were in great danger. They chose to continue fighting down to Saucedo and did not wait for Captain Billingsley's company of men who were on the way to help them. Along the way, 53 men of Dawson's forces ran into 500 hundred strong Mexican force and were overwhelmed with 36 men dying, 15 taken captured and 2 men escaping. Only 9 of the 15 captured made it back to Texas. For a more comprehensive look at this battle please click the link above.

Statute is located on the main portion of the monument.

The Mier Expedition which resulted in the Black Bean incident occurred in December of 1842 and it was one of the last raiding and worst expeditions conducted in Texas. It developed out of the failed Sommervell Expedition and was a group of men who did not want to give up the idea of entering and raiding Mexican towns. Eventually that group would be confronted by Mexican Forces and captured through surrender but some 176 would escape with all but 3 being recaptured. Those who didn't evade capture had to draw beans on who would live and who would not. 17 men drew black beans and were executed. To learn more about this story please click the link above.

 I visited the site when I worked for a non-profit taking pictures to potentially use in a fundraising calendar. We did not make that calendar and thankfully I no longer work at that organization, but I am thrilled that I got to visit a variety of Texas Historical sites including this one. I visited during the hot days of summer but in the early morning. It was peaceful, cool, and beautiful. When I was done photographing the monument, I went into the museum and read up about the history of the battles and the surrounding area. There is also a brewery that you can visit called the Kreische Brewery at the same site but a little further down the hill. I didn't get a chance to visit it but will for a future blog post.