Battle of Rosillo Creek facts for kids
The Battle of Rosillo Creek was an important fight during the Mexican War of Independence. It happened on March 29, 1813, in a place called Coahuila y Tejas. This battle was part of a bigger adventure known as the Gutiérrez–Magee Expedition. This expedition was a "filibustering" campaign, which means it was a military action carried out by private citizens without government permission.
Contents
Who Fought in the Battle?
The battle was between two main groups.
- One side was the Republican Army of the North (RAN). This army was led by people like Samuel Kemper, Augustus Magee, and the expedition's main leader, Bernardo Gutiérrez de Lara.
- The other side was the Spanish Royalist forces. These were soldiers loyal to Spain. Their leaders were Manuel María de Salcedo, who was the Governor of Spanish Texas, and Simón de Herrera, the governor of Nuevo León.
The Republican Army of the North was a mix of different people. It included Anglo-Americans, Mexicans, and Indigenous Indians. They also received some help from the United States.
What Happened Before the Battle?
In 1812, the Republican Army of the North crossed the Sabine River from Louisiana into Texas. They carried a green flag as their symbol.
- On August 7, 1812, they captured the town of Nacogdoches.
- They quickly marched to Goliad and took control of the Presidio La Bahía, which was a Spanish fort.
- When Colonel Magee passed away, Samuel Kemper became a commander of the army.
From November 13, 1812, to February 19, 1813, the Royalist army tried to take back Goliad. They surrounded the fort in what is called a "siege." However, they could not defeat the Republican Army. Because of this, the Royalists had to retreat to San Antonio in March 1813. Kemper and the Republican Army, with about 900 men, followed them.
The Battle of Rosillo Creek
The Royalist army had about 1,500 men. They planned to surprise the Republican Army from a high area. This spot was near Rosillo Creek, about nine miles southeast of San Antonio de Bexar.
However, their plan for a surprise attack failed. The Republican forces spotted them first. The battle was quick, lasting less than an hour. The Republican Army won a big victory.
- They lost only six of their own men.
- They defeated many Royalist soldiers, with estimates ranging from 100 to 330 Royalists killed.
- They also captured important supplies, including six cannons and 1,500 horses.
What Happened After the Battle?
After their defeat, the Royalists went back to San Antonio. They surrendered to the Republican Army on April 1. Two days later, Governor Salcedo, Governor Herrera, and 12 other leaders were taken by the winners.
On April 6, the Republican Army announced a plan for independence. This was a big step towards Texas becoming independent from Spain.
Where Was the Battle Site?
The battle happened near where W. W. White and Hildebrandt roads meet today. This area is in southeastern Bexar County in the U.S. state of Texas. It is about nine miles southeast of what is now downtown San Antonio.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Rosalis para niños
