Battle of Cañada

The Battle of Cañada was a popular insurrection against the American occupation of New Mexico by Mexicans and Pueblo Indians. It took place on January 24, 1847, during the Taos Revolt, a conflict of the Mexican–American War.

Battle of Cañada
Part of the Taos Revolt Mexican–American War
A page from Colonel Price's report showing troop movements.
Date January 24, 1847 Location Santa Cruz, New Mexico Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Sterling Price Ceran St. Vrain	Thomas Ortiz Pablo Chavez Pablo Montoya Jesus Tafoya Diego Archuleta [1]
Strength
353[2]^:140 [3]	1,500[4] to 2,000[2]^:140[5]
Casualties and losses
2 killed 7[2]^:140 or 6[6] wounded	36 killed 45 captured[2]^:140 or wounded [7]

Background

Insurgents, Mexicans and Pueblo Indians in New Mexico under the leadership of Chavez, Montoya, Lafoya and Ortiz, assembled a large force at La Canada, intending to march onto the American-held city of Santa Fe.[2]^:140 They would be intercepted by the American garrison of Santa Fe, resulting in the battle.[2]^:140

Colonel Sterling Price, commander of the U.S. forces in Santa Fe, heard of this insurgent movement on 20 Jan., having intercepted letters from the rebels, and assembled a force of 353 soldiers and militia to march north on 23 Jan., and intercept them.[4][2]^:140 Price's force included Capt. McMillin's Company D, Capt. Williams' Company K, Capt. Lack's Company L, Capt. Halley's Company M, and Capt. Barber's Company N, 2d Regiment Missouri Mounted Volunteers, Capt. Agney's battalion of infantry and Capt. St. Vrain's Sante Fe volunteers, and Lt. A.B. Dyer's four mounted howitzers, while Lt. Col. Willock remained behind in command of the capital.[4]

Battle

On 24 Jan., Price met the large insurgent force on the heights along the road to Santa Cruz de la Cañada and three strong houses at the base of the hill.[4][2]^:140 Price placed his artillery on the left to fire on the houses and bluff, placed his dismounted men such that they were protected by the stream bluff, and sent Capt. St. Vrain to protect his wagon train a mile to the rear until it joined him.[4] Price ordered Capt. Agney to dislodge the rebels occupying the house opposite his right flank, followed by a charge up the hill, supported by Lt. White and Capt. St. Vrain.[2]^:140[4] Capt.s McMillen's, Barber's and Slack's men took possession of the houses enclosed by a strong corral.[4] Price reported, "In a few minutes my troops had dislodged the enemy at all points, and they were flying in every direction."[4]

Aftermath

Tafoya was killed, Chavez was later killed at Taos Pueblo, and Montoya was later caught and hanged at Don Fernando (today's Town of Taos, NM).[4] Price camped on the field that night while the rebels retreated to Taos.[2]^:140[4] On 29 Jan., Price met the insurgents at the Battle of Embudo Pass.

See also

• List of battles fought in New Mexico
• Battles of the Mexican–American War

References

1. Horgan, Paul, Great River: The Rio Grande in North American History, Volume Two, Rinehart & Company, Inc. New York, 1954, P. 766
2. Hughes, J.T., 1847, Doniphan's Expedition, Cincinnati: U.P. James
3. Horgan, Paul, Great River: The Rio Grande in North American History, Volume Two, Rinehart & Company, Inc. New York, 1954, P. 766
4. Price, S., 1847, Col. Sterling Price's Official Report on the Revolution in New Mexico, in The Conquest of California and New Mexico, Cutts, J.M., 1847, Philadelphia: Carey & Hart, pp. 223–231
5. Horgan, Paul, Great River: The Rio Grande in North American History, Volume Two, Rinehart & Company, Inc. New York, 1954, P. 766
6. Roll of Honor
7. Lavash, Donald R., A Journey Through New Mexico History, Sunstone Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1993 p. 133

Further reading

• Frazier, Donald S., editor The United States and Mexico at War (1998)
• Cooke, Philip St. George (1964). The Conquest of New Mexico and California, an Historical and Personal Narrative. Albuquerque, NM: Horn and Wallace. pp. 113–114.