Tomás Mejía: the general executed with Maximilian who remained embalmed in the living room of his house for 3 months

One of the most tragic episodes in the history of Mexico was that of the second French intervention, which led to the Second Empire of Mexico, which was led by Maximilian of Habsburg, who arrived in the country together with his wife Charlotte of Belgium in 1864. However, this period did not last long, as Maximilian's rule lasted only a few years, until 1867, when French troops were withdrawn from the country and Maximilian was besieged in Querétaro and executed on June 19 of that year.

At the time of his execution, the emperor exclaimed a few words that demonstrated his love for the country, and that his intentions were only the best. The emperor, before being executed, said: “I will die for a just cause, independence and freedom for Mexico. May my blood seal the misfortunes of my new homeland Long live Mexico!”

That day, Maximiliano was not executed alone, as two of his conservative generals accompanied him: Miguel Miramón and Tomás Mejia. Miramón was a member of the conservative ranks, among which, he was one of the most distinguished characters, under the command of General Osollo. When the latter died, in 1854, he was entrusted with the command of the troops of the North. He also became President of Mexico, considered, to date, the youngest president that Mexico has ever had in its history, counting 27 years at the time of taking office.

The other of the conservative generals who was executed next to the Emperor, was Tomás Mejia. When they were shot, on June 19, at about seven o'clock in the morning, a woman with a newborn child in her arms tried, by all possible means, to approach one of the prisoners. Few knew that it was Agustina Rodriguez, the wife of Indian general Tomás Mejia, who was trying to see her husband for the last time, before his death.

The bayonets of the guard and the movement of the carriages prevented it, causing Agustina to roll on the ground, with everything and the youngest one she had in her arms.

Despite the dramatic and painful scene, Mejia remained unmoved, he was ready to die with his forehead held high, for the defense of his ideals. In front of arms, the General of a Thousand Battles, a veteran of the War against the United States, master of the Sierra Gorda, lord of the Cavalries of the Imperial Army and a fervent Catholic, behaved with dignity. At the time of his death he showed strength and dominion over himself.

Before receiving the bullets from the republic, which were able to be put before those of the Empire he was defending, Mejia was the only one who spoke no word. His life has always been very austere. Perhaps he did not even listen to the words that Maximilian exclaimed to him before they were executed: “General, what is not rewarded on earth is rewarded by God in Glory”. All he did was stand firmly in front of the rifles and received the shock, not before removing with his hand the crucifix he was carrying on his chest. It is said that all he managed to say was: “Blessed Virgin”.

After the shooting, Dr. Manuel Calvillo approached Mejía's body to attest to his death, however, the conservative was still alive, his heart was beating fast. The officer in charge of the execution ordered one of the soldiers to give him the shot de grace, releasing a final shot that pierced his heart.

His wife Agustina requested permission to take the body to the capital, however, being very poor and not having the resources for this, she decided to take advantage of the embalming of her husband's body and sat him in the living room of his house. That's where the body was for three months. The scene was even photographed, and there is still the surreal image in which Mejia is seen, already dead, with his hands covered with white gloves, sitting on a chair inside his home.

Moved by the situation, whoever ordered him to be executed, President Benito Juárez, intervened and provided the widow with the necessary resources for burial. The remains of Mejía were buried in the San Fernando Pantheon, the most classic of the 19th century cemeteries, where they rest to this day. It should be noted that, in the same place, the remains of Juárez also rest.

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