Battle of the Pinal Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of the Pinal Mountains |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Mexican Apache Wars | |||||||
 A view from within the Pinal Mountains. |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spain |
Apache | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Pablo Romero José Moraga |
Quilcho | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 208 | ~100 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed | 6 killed 23 captured |
||||||
The Battle of the Pinal Mountains was one of many small fights between Apache warriors and Spanish colonists. It took place on a day in mid-June 1788. The battle happened in the Pinal Mountains in east-central Arizona. This conflict was part of the ongoing struggles between the Apache people and the Spanish.
The Battle
From May 31 to June 24, 1788, Captain Pablo Romero led a group of 208 Spanish soldiers. They were from the region of Sonora. During this time, they fought against Apache warriors. They also rescued two Pima captives from Tucson. The soldiers also got back eleven animals that had been taken. The Spanish lost two of their own men during this larger operation.
The most important part of this mission was a battle in the Pinal Mountains. Ensign José Moraga was with about ten men. They were part of the group guarding the supplies. Moraga and his men decided to scout ahead of the main force.
While scouting on horseback, they found an Apache camp, called a ranchería. This camp was protected by "no more than 100 enemies." Ensign Moraga bravely fought one Apache warrior himself. Captain Romero, who was leading the main Spanish force, heard the sounds of the fight. He quickly rushed to the scene with his soldiers. They arrived just as the battle was ending. The Spanish soldiers fought hard. They lost one man in the battle. However, they killed six Apache warriors.
After the Battle
After the mission ended, Captain Romero quickly left to report his success. He went to the military commander in Arizpe. The King of Spain was very pleased with Romero's actions. The King decided to give him a special award and a higher salary.
However, Captain Romero did not get to enjoy his reward. Just a few days later, on June 30, a group of Apaches found him. They killed him on a hill near San Borja. This was between Sonora and Bacoachi. So, Captain Romero never saw the King's award or the 2,400 pesos he was granted.
