Battle of El Brazito

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Date	25 December 1846
Location	Near Chihuahua, Mexico
Result	American victory

Belligerents

Mexican army from El Paso del Norte plus additional infantry, cavalry, lancers, and artillery

First Regiment Mounted Missouri Volunteers

Commanders

U.S. Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan

Strength

Mexican army from El Paso del Norte plus 1,100 reinforcements

850 (and Apache Indians)

v • d • e

Mexican-American War

Fort Texas – Palo Alto – Resaca de la Palma – Cañoncito – Santa Fe – Monterrey – 1st Tabasco – Siege of Los Angeles – Battle of Dominguez Rancho – San Pasqual – El Brazito – Rio San Gabriel – La Mesa – Cañada – Mora – Embudo Pass – Pueblo de Taos – Buena Vista – Sacramento – Veracruz – Cerro Gordo – Tuxpan – 2nd Tabasco – Contreras – Churubusco – Molino del Rey – Chapultepec – Mexico City – Huamantla – Puebla

The Battle of El Brazito took place on December 25, 1846, early in the Mexican-American war.

In October 1846, Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan of the First Regiment Mounted Missouri Volunteers, was ordered by US Army General Stephen W. Kearney to rendezvous with US Army General John E. Wool inside Mexico at the city of Chihuahua.

En route to Chihuahua, Doniphan's regiment was attacked by a Mexican army from El Paso del Norte about 9 miles below Las Cruces, New Mexico. Since it was Christmas, Doniphan had given his men the day off. However, they spotted a Mexican scouting party observing them. Doniphan promptly ordered his 850 men to prepare for battle.

Before long, the main Mexican force arrived. It was composed of infantry, cavalry, lancers, and artillery and totalled about 1,100 men. Doniphan ordered his troops to hold their fire until the Mexicans came within easy range. At 50 yards the Americans then opened fire with their rifles. Their fire was devastatingly accurate and the Mexican regulars broke and fled. Mexican cavalry next attacked Doniphan's wagons train, but was driven off by the teamsters. The Mexican force then retreated, abandoning their howitzer, which Doniphan's men recovered.

As the Mexican forces fell back, they were harassed by Apache Indians who had been watching the battle.