Battle of El Brazito facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of El Brazito
Part of the Mexican–American War
Doniphan's map
Date December 25, 1846 Location near Las Cruces, New Mexico Result American victory
Belligerents
Mexico	United States
Commanders and leaders
General Antonio Ponce de Léon Rafael Carabajal	Alexander W. Doniphan
Strength
~500	850 mounted riflemen
Casualties and losses
11 or 43 killed 17or ~150 wounded	7 wounded

Location of El Brazito

Las Cruces and surrounding terrain from space.

The Battle of El Brazito was a fight that happened on Christmas Day, December 25, 1846. It was part of the Mexican–American War. In this battle, the United States Army fought against the Mexican Army near what is now Las Cruces, New Mexico. The American forces won this important battle.

The Battle of El Brazito

Getting Ready for Battle

In October 1846, Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan led a group of soldiers called the First Regiment Mounted Missouri Volunteers. His orders came from United States Army General Stephen W. Kearney. Colonel Doniphan was told to meet another general, John E. Wool, in the city of Chihuahua, Mexico.

While on their way to Chihuahua, Doniphan's soldiers were attacked. This happened about 30 miles from El Paso del Norte. The battle took place about 9 miles south of Las Cruces, New Mexico, at a place called Brazito along the Rio Grande river.

It was Christmas Day, and Doniphan had stopped his men's march at 1 PM. Suddenly, they saw a cloud of dust to the south. This meant a Mexican scouting party was coming. Colonel Doniphan quickly told his men to get ready for a fight.

The Fight Begins

Soon, the Mexican army arrived, led by Major Antonio Ponce de Leon. Their army had different groups: infantry (foot soldiers) from Chihuahua on the left, local militia from El Paso with a howitzer (a type of cannon) in the middle, and lancers (soldiers with long spears) from Veracruz on the right.

The Mexican commander demanded that the Americans give up. Colonel Doniphan bravely replied, "Charge and be damned!" While they were talking, Doniphan and his men used the time to get their battle line perfectly ready.

The Mexican forces then charged straight at the American soldiers. Doniphan told his troops to wait and not shoot until the Mexicans were very close. When the Mexican soldiers were only about 50 yards away, the Americans opened fire with their rifles and muskets. Their shots were very accurate, and the Mexican regular soldiers quickly broke ranks and ran away.

Next, Mexican lancers tried to attack Doniphan's wagon train (the supply wagons). But the teamsters (people driving the wagons) fought them off. The Mexican force then retreated, led by Captain Rafael Carabaja, because Major Ponce de Leon was wounded. They left behind their howitzer, which Lieutenant Nicholas B. Wright's company found and took.

What Happened After the Battle

As the Mexican forces ran away, they were bothered by Apache natives. The Apache had been watching the battle unfold.

Doniphan's men reached El Paso on December 27. There, they captured a lot of supplies from the Mexicans. They found five tons of gunpowder, 500 weapons, 400 lances, and four cannons.

Later, on February 5, Major Meriwether Lewis Clark, Sr. arrived with about 100 more men and a battery of six cannons. Doniphan then led his combined forces south on February 8, heading towards Chihuahua as he was originally ordered.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de El Brazito para niños