Antonio Canales Rosillo facts for kids

Antonio Canales Rosillo was an important Mexican leader in the 1800s. He was a politician, a surveyor (someone who measures land), and a military officer. He is also known for helping to start a short-lived country called the Republic of the Rio Grande. He was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, in 1802 and passed away in Camargo, Tamaulipas, in 1852.

Antonio Canales: A Military Leader

Antonio Canales fought in wars against the Apache people in Mexico. He also took part in many efforts by conservative groups to lead the Mexican government during the 1800s.

Fighting for the Republic of the Rio Grande

Canales disagreed with President Antonio López de Santa Anna. Santa Anna wanted a strong central government, which went against the Mexican Constitution of 1824. This constitution gave more power to states.

Canales became the top commander of a rebel army. With José María Jesús Carbajal, he tried to create a new country called the Republic of the Rio Grande in 1840. This new country only lasted for a short time.

When some of his soldiers were captured, Canales decided to stop fighting for the rebellion. He then joined the Mexican Army and became a Brigadier General.

Battles Against Texans and Americans

In 1842, he led military actions against Texans in places like Corpus Christi, Texas and Fort Lipantitlán near San Patricio, Texas. He also helped capture the Mier Expedition at Ciudad Mier.

Later, Canales bothered the U.S. troops stationed between Corpus Christi and Matamoros during the Mexican–American War. He fought in battles like Palo Alto.

He served under General Pedro de Ampudia at Cerralvo, Nuevo León. He also fought under Santa Anna during the Battle of Buena Vista. It was during this war, in 1846, that he earned his famous nickname, El Zorro del Chaparral, which means "The Fox of the Chaparral."

Canales also took part in other rebellions. He was supported by the governor of Coahuila and later by Santiago Vidaurri, the governor of Nuevo León.

When Did Antonio Canales Die?

Some historical records say that Antonio Canales died in 1852. They suggest he passed away after leading government forces that stopped a rebellion in Camargua. However, other records state that he died later, on January 19, 1869, at his home in Miquihuana, Tamaulipas. These sources say his remains were buried in the church of San Juan Bautista de Miquihuana.

See also

In Spanish: Antonio Canales Rosillo para niños