Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales
Part of the Mexican–American War
Date March 16, 1848 Location Santa Cruz de Rosales, Chihuahua Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Sterling Price John Adams	Ángel Trías
Strength
200	804
Casualties and losses
4 killed 19 wounded	328 killed

The Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales was a fight during the Mexican–American War. It happened even though a peace treaty, called the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, had already been signed. This makes it a unique event in history!

Why did the battle happen?

In February 1848, a U.S. General named Sterling Price was in El Paso, Texas. He was in charge of U.S. troops in New Mexico. General Price found out that Mexican General José de Urrea was planning to advance.

General Price had orders to only go into Chihuahua if a large enemy force gathered there. But he decided to go anyway. On March 1, he left El Paso with about 200 soldiers.

When he reached the area of an earlier battle, the Mexican Governor Ángel Trías told him that the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had been signed. This treaty was supposed to end the war. However, General Price kept going. He entered Chihuahua on March 7.

On March 8, General Price and his men headed towards Santa Cruz de Rosales. This was a town where Governor Trías and his soldiers had set up defenses. Governor Trías again tried to explain that a peace treaty had been signed. But General Price still prepared for battle.

How the battle unfolded

General Price attacked Santa Cruz de Rosales on the morning of March 16. His troops took control of the town in just two hours.

During the fight, Price heard that Mexican cavalry (soldiers on horseback) were behind his lines. He moved his cannons to protect them. The Mexican defenders thought this was a sign that the Americans were retreating. So, they fired even more. But their shots were not very accurate. The Mexican cavalry turned out to be only a few men.

After dealing with this small counterattack, Price ordered his soldiers to capture the town. He divided his men into several groups and led one of them himself. Governor Trías's forces fought back hard from the north and west. But an attack from the south successfully captured the town square.

What happened after the battle?

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed by both the United States and Mexico on February 2, 1848. The U.S. Congress (the American government's law-making body) approved the treaty on March 10. This means that General Price's attack on Santa Cruz de Rosales happened after the U.S. had agreed to peace.

However, the Mexican Congress did not approve the treaty until March 19. So, at the time of the battle, Mexico had not yet officially agreed to the peace.

Because he had attacked after the U.S. agreed to peace, General Price was later ordered to leave Santa Cruz de Rosales. He was also told to return any property his troops had taken. On May 16, he was ordered back to El Paso by the United States Secretary of War, William L. Marcy. Price was told he had gone against his orders.

See also

In Spanish: Batalla de Santa Cruz de Rosales para niños