Action of Sequalteplan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Action of Sequalteplan
Part of the Mexican–American War
Date 25 February 1848 Location Zacualtipan, Hidalgo Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Lane	Celedonio Dómeco de Jarauta
Strength
250 Texas Rangers 130 dragoons/mounted rifles	"a considerable force" of infantry & lancers
Casualties and losses
1 killed 6 wounded	150 killed 50 captured

The Action of Sequalteplan was a battle that happened on February 25, 1848. It was a victory for American forces led by General Joseph Lane. They defeated a Mexican guerrilla group led by Celedonio Dómeco de Jarauta in a town called Zacualtipan. This battle was the last time American troops went on an expedition against Mexican guerrillas in central Mexico during the Mexican–American War.

Why the Battle Happened

In early February 1848, the American army in Mexico City was busy collecting money and supplies. This was to help support their troops in the area. However, Mexican guerrilla fighters were still causing problems. They were especially active north and northeast of the capital city.

General Joseph Lane was given a special mission. He was to lead a group of soldiers to clear out these guerrillas. His force included 250 Texas Rangers led by Colonel John Coffee Hays. There were also 130 dragoons and mounted rifles under Major Polk. A spy company led by Dominguez also joined them. Among the guerrilla leaders, Padre Jarauta was one of the most daring. He had previously bothered Americans on the roads between Vera Cruz and Jalapa. Now, he was in the area north of Mexico City with a "considerable force" of guerrilla foot soldiers and lancer cavalry. Jarauta's group was the main target for General Lane's mission. Lane's force left Mexico City on February 17.

Lane's troops first marched east towards Puebla. Then, they turned back and headed north towards Tulancingo. Spies had told Lane that Generals Paredes, Almonte, and Padre Jarauta might be there. They were said to have a large guerrilla force. When Lane arrived on February 22, his surprise attack didn't work. Jarauta had been warned and had left three days earlier. General Paredes had stayed behind but managed to escape. This happened when Americans tried to capture him at a ranch outside town on February 23.

Soon after, Lane learned that Jarauta's force had moved 75 miles north from Tulancingo to Zacualtipan. American reports at the time called it Sequalteplan. Lane sent his sick and wounded soldiers back to Mexico City. Dominguez' Spy Company guarded them. Lane then made a fast march, arriving at Zacualtipan at dawn on February 25.

The Fight at Zacualtipan

General Lane, along with Colonel Hays' Texas Rangers, charged into the town. They headed straight for the main plaza in the center. As they got close, musket fire came from a nearby barracks, called a cuartel. About 50 or 60 of Jarauta's men were inside. Major Truit led his soldiers into the barracks. They fought hard, killing or wounding 24 men and capturing 20 others. Meanwhile, the plaza was quickly taken over.

Colonel Hays and most of his Rangers attacked a strong group of lancers and infantry. These Mexican fighters were coming out of another barracks on a street to their left. The Rangers fought them in the street and against fire coming from behind walls. They killed about 30 guerrillas in this running fight. General Lane continued past the plaza with the rest of his force. He went to attack another group of Jarauta's men on a different street.

When Hays returned to the plaza, he heard that General Lane was in a tough fight. Lane was facing more enemy soldiers than he had. Hays quickly sent Captain Daggett's Ranger Company to help him. The Mexican fighters facing Lane fought bravely, using any cover they could find. But eventually, they were forced to retreat. They lost about 30 men in this part of the fight.

Hays was chasing some scattered enemy fighters. He met Major Polk with two companies of the 3rd U.S. Dragoons. They had just arrived in the outer parts of the town. Hearing the gunfire, Major Polk had Walker's Rifles get off their horses. He sent them to attack a barracks where the firing was coming from. They silenced the barracks. Then, they moved to a nearby church that was also firing. Lieutenant George E. Maney, from the Third Dragoons, was sent to bring up two more dragoon companies. With these, Polk advanced beyond the plaza. He went to the top of a hill on the left, which helped scatter the enemy. Polk ordered Lieutenant Adde to stay and hold the plaza. Lieutenant Diwer's company was split into small groups to chase the remaining enemy. Meanwhile, Walker had taken the church, killing some enemies and capturing others.

General Lane reported that his side lost one soldier killed and six wounded. He estimated that Jarauta's side lost about 150 killed. This included Padre Martinez, who was Jarauta's second-in-command. They also captured 50 enemy fighters, including three American soldiers who had deserted. At the end of his report, General Lane mentioned a fire that started during the battle:

I regret to state, that during the engagement, in the incessant firing, fire was accidentally communicated to the thatched roof of one of the houses, and which finally spread over a large portion of the town.

What Happened Next

General Lane left Zacualtipan the very next day. Jarauta and his force had suffered a big defeat. However, they returned a few hours after Lane had left. They visited and cared for their wounded soldiers. Then, they followed Lane's force south. They were looking for a chance to attack stragglers or make another move. But Lane's troops gave them no such opportunity. Lane's force arrived back in Mexico City safely on March 1.

The Action of Sequalteplan was the last time American forces went on an expedition against guerrillas in central Mexico. This happened just before the Armistice of March 5 was signed. The fighting between the main armies was supposed to stop with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. However, some guerrilla groups, including Jarauta's, strongly disagreed with the treaty. So, they kept fighting, making the roads dangerous. Eventually, the Mexican government stopped these groups. Jarauta himself was captured and executed by the Mexican Army in July. The Americans left Mexico in August after the U.S. Senate approved the Treaty.