Juan Nepomuceno Almonte
Juan Nepomuceno Almonte, born 1803, was believed to be the illegitimate son of José María Morelos, one of Mexico's liberators. As a young man, Almonte was educated in the United States. After his father's execution by Spanish authorities in 1815, Almonte worked briefly at a store in New Orleans before returning to Mexico. There he gained fluency in English, making him later in life a frequent interlocutor between Mexico and English-speaking countries. He served in Mexico's legation in London in 1824.
He conducted an inspection of Texas, by then mostly inhabited by immigrants from the United States, in 1834. In 1836, he served as a colonel in the Army of Operations, meant to put down the rebellion in Texas. Almonte fought in the Battle of the Alamo, and was captured after the Battle of San Jacinto. When Santa Anna was captured the next day, Almonte was brought forth to translate. He remained at Santa Anna's side throughout their captivity, translating for the general.
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