Battle of El Veladero facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of El Veladero
Part of the Mexican War of Independence
A view of Cerro El Veladero from the Puente de la Avenida Constituyentes, Acapulco.
Date 1810 - 30 April 1811 Location Cerro El Veladero, Acapulco de Juárez, Mexico Result Rebel victory
Belligerents
Mexican Rebels	Spanish Empire
Commanders and leaders
José María Morelos Rafael Valdovinos Vicente Guerrero Bravo Guerrero	Juan Antonio Fuentes
Strength
700 soldiers	Unknown

The Battle of El Veladero was an important fight during the Mexican War of Independence. It happened from 1810 to April 30, 1811. The battle took place at Cerro El Veladero, a mountain near Acapulco de Juárez, Mexico.

On one side were the Royalists, who were loyal to the Spanish king. Their leader was Juan Antonio Fuentes. On the other side were the Mexican rebels, led by José María Morelos and Rafael Valdovinos. These rebels were fighting for Mexico's freedom from Spain. The Mexican rebels won this battle.

Why the Battle Happened

In 1811, José María Morelos led his army to a place called Carácuaro, in Michoacán de Ocampo. He started telling people about the big uprising that Miguel Hidalgo had begun. Morelos himself had joined Hidalgo's movement earlier.

Hidalgo had made Morelos a lieutenant. He gave Morelos the job of fighting in the southern part of Mexico. This area included the very important port city of Acapulco. Morelos went back to Carácuaro and gathered his own army. Then, he traveled to the state of Guerrero to start his first military campaign. This campaign lasted from October 1810 to August 1811.

The Battle of El Veladero

Morelos wanted to capture the important city of Acapulco de Juárez. He knew it was key to control the high ground at Cerro El Veladero. This mountain surrounded the entire port city.

Morelos sent 700 of his soldiers to take the mountain. These troops were led by Captain Rafael Valdovinos. At first, Valdovinos and his men could not take the mountain. The Royalist forces pushed them back and made them lose their position.

While this was happening, two brothers, Bravo and Vicente Guerrero, arrived. They brought their own soldiers to help the rebels. This made the rebel forces stronger.

Both sides took up important spots around El Veladero and Acapulco. Small fights happened often between the two groups. Finally, on April 30, 1811, Morelos's forces were able to take over the mountaintop. They forced the Spanish soldiers to leave.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de El Veladero para niños