Siege of Querétaro

The Siege of Queretaro was a major engagement, the second-to-last battle of the war.

Siege

Early in the battle, the American Legion of Honor joined ranks with the Mexican liberals, boosting their forces to 25,000 soldiers. Though the defenders only had 9,000 men, they were resolute. At the battle of Cerro San Pablo, the defenders took the hill but could not hold it. A double pronged Liberal attack, one from the Cerro San Pablo and Cerro de San Gregorio, was defeated. The Liberals lost several soldiers as prisoners to the defenders, but they could not hold them. Again at the Battle of San Juanico, there was another cruel battle. The loyalists were defeated in their attempt to take the hill, which was retaken by the Liberals. General Marquez, meanwhile, and 1,200 troops, fled to Mexico city to avoid battle. Later, there was the battle of Casa Blanca where the liberals were repulsed. General Diaz seized Pueblo in late March, capturing or killing the 2,500-man garrison. There was another sortie on San Grigorio. At the Battle of San Lorenzo, General Marquez was defeated after hearing the news of the defeat at Puebla. Also, Mexico City came under siege. On April 27, Loyalists won the battle but a sortie from Queretaro failed at Calleja. More sorties failed, leaving the garrison at 5,000 soldiers. On May 14, the Liberals were let in by a traitor in the Loyalist ranks. The city was taken after a horrible siege.

References

Chronology