Battle of Pima Butte facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Pima Butte
Part of the American Indian Wars
An American wagon train and Maricopas at Maricopa Wells in 1857.
Date September 1, 1857 Location near Maricopa Wells, Pima Butte, Sierra Estrella, Arizona Result Maricopa/Pima victory
Belligerents
Yuma Mohave Yavapai Apache	Maricopa Pima
Commanders and leaders
Francisco  †	unknown
Strength
~300	unknown
Casualties and losses
~200 killed or wounded	unknown

The Battle of Pima Butte, also known as the Battle of Maricopa Wells, was a big fight that happened on September 1, 1857. It took place near Pima Butte in Arizona, close to a place called Maricopa Wells.

In this battle, warriors from the Yuma, Mohave, Apache, and Yavapai tribes attacked a Maricopa village. The village was named Secate. This fight was one of the largest battles ever in Arizona's history. It was also the last major battle fought by the Yuma tribe. Plus, it was the last big battle fought only between Native American tribes in North America.

The Battle Unfolds

Two Mohave warriors in 1871, by Timothy H. O'Sullivan

For hundreds of years before 1857, the Yuma and Maricopa tribes were enemies. They often gathered their warriors at Berdache Mountain. There, they would yell insults at each other before starting a fight.

The Attack Begins

Chief Francisco of the Yuma tribe led the attacking army. This army had at least 300 warriors. They arrived near Secate village on August 31, 1857.

Chief Francisco started his attack the next morning. His warriors quickly took over the Maricopa village. They began to burn the buildings. The Yuma and their allies had just walked 160 miles over eight days. Because of this long journey, Francisco's men were very tired and hungry.

A Costly Mistake

The Yuma warriors and their allies made a big mistake. They decided to stay in the burning village to rest and eat the Maricopa food they had found. This decision would prove to be very dangerous for them.

The Counterattack

When Francisco's army attacked, the Maricopa women and children who survived ran away. They went to Pima Butte for safety. This hill was just south of the village. The Maricopa warriors also gathered there. They sent a message asking for help from nearby Pima villages.

The Pima tribe quickly sent all their warriors to help. Together, the Maricopa and Pima launched a counterattack. But before they arrived, all the Apache and Yavapai warriors, and most of the Mohave warriors, ran away. This left the remaining Yuma and Mohave warriors greatly outnumbered.

The Outcome

The Maricopa and Pima forces, some riding horses, surrounded the attackers. They fought fiercely and defeated them. Most of the Yuma and Mohave warriors were killed. This included their leader, Chief Francisco.

About ten days later, on September 11, a traveler named John B. Hilton visited the battlefield. He later wrote that he saw ninety bodies lying on the ground in one spot. They were in all kinds of positions.

News Spreads

Newspapers reported on this big battle. The San Diego Herald first made a mistake in its report. On September 12, it said the battle was a three-way fight. It claimed the Pima, Yuma, and Maricopa were all fighting each other.

At the same time, Daily Alta California reported that the battle was "seldom equaled in Indian warfare." It said that 150 to 160 allied Native Americans were left dead on the field. These allies were the Yuma warriors. After the Yuma War, the Yuma tribe became good friends with the Americans living near the Colorado River.

In a later article, the San Diego Herald corrected its report. It said that the battle was the largest Native American fight in that area for many years. It praised the Maricopa and their Pima allies for bravely defending their homes. They destroyed almost the entire force that came to fight them.