Cienega Affair

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Battle of Cienega Creek

Part of the Taos Revolt
Mexican-American War

United States cavalry and infantry, circa 1845.

Date	July 9, 1847
Location	Cienega Creek, Taos County, New Mexico
Result	United States victory

Belligerents

United States

Mexico

Commanders and leaders

Jesse I. Morin

unknown

Strength

~140

~200

Casualties and losses

5 killed
9 wounded

unknown

v t e New Mexico Campaign

Mexican-American Conflict Capture of Santa Fe Capture of Tucson Battle of El Brazito Taos Revolt Battle of Cañada First Battle of Mora Battle of Embudo Pass Second Battle of Mora Siege of Pueblo de Taos Battle of Red River Canyon Battle of Las Vegas Battle of Cienega Creek

Mexican–American War

Texas Campaign

California Campaign

New Mexico Campaign

Northern Mexican Theater

Mexico City Campaign

Pacific Coast Campaign

Mosquito Fleet

The Cienega Affair, or the Battle of Cienega Creek, was the last engagement of the Taos Revolt during the Mexican-American War. The battle occurred in July, 1847 and was fought between New Mexican insurgents, Pueblo natives and United States Army troops.

Battle

On July 9, 1847 a detachment of thirty-one men, belonging to Captain Jesse I. Morin's company of American infantry were stationed close to Cienega Creek about eighteen miles from Taos, New Mexico. On this early morning the Americans were attacked by two hundred New Mexican militia and their Pueblo allies. The ensuing battle resulted in an American retreat to the banks of Cienega Creek. The only American casualties apparently were sustained at the initial contact. Five United States fighting men were killed, and nine more were wounded.

Upon acquiring the creek bank position the New Mexicans and Pueblos launched another fast attack. The remaining twenty-six Americans were able to fight off the assault, killing or wounding many of their enemies according to reports. Eventually a relief force of a company, under a Captain Shepherd, arrived and assisted Captain Morin's men in defeating the rest of the New Mexican insurgents. The New Mexicans and Pueblos retreated, ending the last battle of the revolt.

It is perhaps known as an "affair" due to the supposed peace between New Mexican insurgents and the Americans which began after the Siege of Pueblo de Taos. The engagement was the second bloodiest battle for the United States during the revolt in New Mexico. Casualties of the New Mexicans and Pueblos are unknown.

References

Twitchell, R. E. Old Santa Fé. Santa Fé: R. E. Twitchell, 1925, p. 146.
Hughes, John T. Doniphan's Expedition. Cincinnati: J. A. & U. P. James, 1848, pp. 403.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.