Battle of Chino facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Chino |
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| Part of Conquest of California Mexican–American War |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Mexico |
 United States |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| José del Carmen Lugo | Benjamin Davis Wilson | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 50 militia | 24 militia | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed 2 wounded |
24 captured 3 wounded |
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The Battle of Chino was a small fight during the Mexican–American War. It happened on September 26–27, 1846. In this battle, 24 Americans, led by Benjamin Davis Wilson, were hiding in a house at Rancho Santa Ana del Chino. A group of about 50 Californios found them and took them prisoner.
What Led to the Battle?
In late September 1846, the United States and Mexico were at war. About 20 Americans, led by Benjamin Davis Wilson, gathered at Isaac Williams' Rancho Santa Ana del Chino. Isaac Williams was a rancher who had become a Mexican citizen to own land. He was married to Maria de Jesus Lugo, whose father was Antonio Maria Lugo. The local Californios, who were people of Spanish or Mexican heritage living in California, were not sure if Wilson's men were loyal. So, they decided to arrest them.
The Fight at Chino
A group of about 50 Californios, led by Serbulo Varela, Diego Sepulveda, and Ramon Carrillo, left Los Angeles. Another group of 15 to 20 men, led by José del Carmen Lugo, came from San Bernardino. Both groups planned to meet at Rancho del Chino.
On the night of September 26, 1846, the Californios surrounded the adobe ranch house where the Americans were. At dawn the next day, the two sides started shooting. During the fight, one Californio, Carlos Ballesteros, was killed, and two others were hurt. Three Americans were also wounded. When the Californios tried to set the house's roof on fire, Wilson decided to give up. This short fight became known as the Battle of Chino.
What Happened After?
After the battle, Wilson and his men were taken prisoner. They were marched to Paredon Blanco in Boyle Heights, which was the main camp for the Californio forces. The prisoners were almost executed to get revenge for Carlos Ballesteros's death, as he was the only person killed at Chino. However, many of the American prisoners were related by marriage to Mexican families. Because of these family ties, Varela and others stepped in and stopped the execution. Later, the prisoners were moved to Rancho Los Cerritos, near what is now Long Beach. They were held there for a while and eventually set free.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Chino para niños
