Battle of Azcapotzalco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Azcapotzalco
Part of Mexican War of Independence
Memorial of the Battle in Azcapotzalco
Date August 19, 1821 Location Azcapotzalco (today Mexico City) Result Disputed. Both sides claim victory.
Belligerents
Trigarante Army	Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
Luis Quintanar Anastasio Bustamante	Manuel de la Concha
Strength
16,000	3,000

The Battle of Azcapotzalco was a very important fight that happened on August 19, 1821. It took place in a town called Azcapotzalco, which is now part of Mexico City. This battle was one of the last big fights in the Mexican War of Independence. In this battle, Mexican fighters, led by Luis Quintanar and Anastasio Bustamante, fought against Spanish soldiers, led by Manuel de la Concha.

Why the Battle Happened

By August 1821, the Army of the Three Guarantees was very strong. This army, led by Agustin de Iturbide, had taken control of most towns and important cities in New Spain (which is what Mexico was called back then). Only two main places were still controlled by the Spanish: Mexico City and the port of Veracruz.

Mexico City was the capital. Taking it was key to ending the 11-year-long war for independence. The Army of the Three Guarantees had surrounded the city. The Spanish forces were pushed back into areas like Tacuba and the old Hacienda of Clavería.

The Battle Begins

Before the battle, Agustín de Iturbide went to Córdoba. He had an important meeting with a Spanish leader named Juan O'Donojú. Iturbide left the Mexican troops around Mexico City in the hands of Luis Quintanar and Anastasio Bustamante.

Bustamante successfully took over two large farms, the Haciendas of Cristo and Careaga. These are now known as Rosario and Molino de la Hacienda Santa Mónica. From there, he planned his next move toward Mexico City.

On August 19, 1821, a Mexican fighter named Nicolas Acosta entered Azcapotzalco. He took control of the Rosario bridge. His goal was to attack the Spanish forces. The attack started in the middle of a rainstorm. As soon as the fighting began, the Spanish general Manuel de la Concha went to his headquarters in Tacubaya to get more soldiers.

Fighting Continues

The Mexican fighters pulled back to Azcapotzalco. They sent some troops to the Hacienda of Careaga. General Concha followed them. He tried to make them fight him in Azcapotzalco.

When the Spanish forces arrived, the Mexican fighters attacked them. They fought in the entrance area and on the roofs of the Convent of the Dominicos. The battle went on until 11 AM. It stopped when the Mexican fighters ran out of ammunition.

Anastasio Bustamante ordered a cannon to be placed at the town's entrance. But it didn't help much, so he decided to retreat. A famous Mexican soldier named Encarnación Ortiz, also known as El Pachondo, tried to save the cannon. Sadly, he was shot and killed. This made the Mexican fighters very angry. They charged into the entrance, fighting the Spanish soldiers hand-to-hand. They defeated the Spanish, forcing them to run away to the Rosario Bridge.

What Happened Next

The victory by the Mexican forces of the Army of the Three Guarantees was a big win. It forced the Spanish to leave the Haciendas of Clavería, Tacuba, Popotla, and San Jacinto.

Just a few days later, Mexico was granted its independence. The Mexican victory in this last battle of the war cleared the way to Mexico City. The Mexican forces finally entered the city on September 27, 1821. This marked the end of the long Mexican War of Independence.

Valentin Canalizo also fought in this battle. Like Anastasio Bustamante, he would later become President of Mexico.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Azcapotzalco para niños