Affair at Galaxara Pass facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Affair at Galaxara Pass
Part of the Mexican–American War
Date November 24, 1847 Location Galaxara Pass, Puebla Result American victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Lane	Joaquín Rea
Strength
135 Texas Rangers, Texas Mounted Riflemen and Louisiana Dragoons, 25 artillerymen and 1 gun, 21 freed American soldiers	700 cavalry of the Light Corps.
Casualties and losses
2 killed and 2 slightly wounded.	Uncertain but not less than fifty killed and wounded.

The Affair at Galaxara Pass happened on November 24, 1847. It was a victory for the United States Army during the Mexican–American War. General Joseph Lane led the U.S. forces. They defeated the Mexican Army's Light Corps, a special group led by General Joaquín Rea.

The Light Corps had been causing trouble for the U.S. Army. They attacked supply lines on the National Road. This road was important for General Scott's campaign towards Mexico City. After General Lane helped end the Siege of Puebla, he decided to stop the Light Corps for good.

Why the Battle Happened

After losing a battle at Atlixco, General Rea's Light Corps moved to Izúcar de Matamoros. This town was further away from the American soldiers in Puebla. From there, they kept attacking the U.S. Army's supply route. This route connected Vera Cruz and Mexico City.

General Lane wanted to strike at Rea's forces again. He planned a surprise night march to Izúcar de Matamoros. This surprise attack, called the Skirmish at Matamoros, was very successful. Many enemy soldiers were defeated. The Americans also captured or destroyed a lot of weapons and supplies.

The Fight at Galaxara Pass

On the morning of November 24, 1847, General Lane's troops began their march back to Puebla. About 25 to 30 Texas mounted riflemen led the way. The rest of the riflemen followed the artillery and a small group of four wagons. These wagons carried items captured the day before. Louisiana Dragoons protected the rear of the column.

Mexican Attack Begins

As they moved through the narrow Galaxara Pass, the wagons spread out. This pass was about five miles north of Izúcar de Matamoros. General Lane went to the back to help close up the column. Soon after, a report came that Mexican cavalry had appeared ahead.

General Lane ordered Colonel John Coffee Hays to the front. He was to fight the enemy with the advance guard. When Colonel Hays arrived, he saw a small group of his advance guard being chased. About 200 Mexican lancers were after them.

Hays's Bold Charge

Colonel Hays quickly charged the Mexican lancers. He led Captain Roberts's company and other officers, about 35 men in total. Their charge broke the lancers' formation. Hays and his men then chased the lancers across the plain. They went up a steep slope towards the mountains.

The Mexican lancers tried to regroup. But Hays's continuous charge broke them again. They fell back over the mountain top. Hays kept chasing them closely. There, they found the defeated lancers getting help from the main Light Corps. This was a force of 500 lancers led by General Joaquin Rea.

Holding the Line

At this point, the American mounted riflemen had fired all their revolvers and rifles. They did not have sabers (swords). Facing many more enemies and with no loaded weapons, Hays ordered his men to pull back.

Even though four or five hundred lancers charged them, Hays's men retreated in good order. They reloaded their weapons and fought back the charge. They held their position until the artillery and Dragoons arrived. When the lancers then retreated to the mountains, several rounds of cannon fire made them disappear.

Lost Supplies and Casualties

During the fight, the Mexican drivers of the wagons cut the mules free. They escaped with the mules, leaving the captured property unguarded. Without a way to move them, the Americans destroyed most of the captured items. They kept only the sabers, which were given to the mounted soldiers.

For several hours after the battle, the Mexican lancers followed Lane's group. They stayed far away, out of reach of American charges or shots.

The Americans lost 2 men who were killed and 2 who were slightly wounded. All these losses happened during Hays's charge. One of the killed was Lieutenant Ridgely, who was badly wounded while charging with Colonel Hays. The other was William Malpass, a Texas Ranger. Several men were praised for their bravery. Among them was Private John Joel Glanton, a Texan Ranger. He was noted for his "extraordinary activity and daring" during the fighting.

The exact number of Mexican losses was not known by the Americans. However, General Lane reported that at least fifty Mexican soldiers were killed or wounded. This included two captains, one lieutenant, and three non-commissioned officers.

This battle showed how much of an advantage repeating firearms gave to mounted troops. They were much better than single-shot weapons or hand-held weapons.

What Happened Next

Lane's column marched through the night. They reached Atlixco around ten o'clock on the morning of November 25th. After four hours of rest, they continued their march to Puebla. They arrived there at two in the afternoon without any more problems.

Their raid on Matamoros, the battle in the pass, and their return all happened within sixty hours. General Lane's actions greatly reduced the threat from the Light Corps for the rest of the war.

Battle Site Today

Today, part of the Galaxara Pass battlefield is a town called La Galarza. It is located in the Municipality of Izúcar de Matamoros, in the State of Puebla.