Bombardment of Guaymas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bombardment of Guaymas
Part of the Mexican–American War
Date October 20, 1847 Location Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico, Gulf of California Result United States victory, Mexican garrison evacuated Guaymas.
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Captain Elie A. F. La Vallette	Col. Antonio Campuzano
Strength
1 first-class frigate USS Congress sloop USS Portsmouth	1 coastal fortress, shore batteries
Casualties and losses
none	none known

The Bombardment of Guaymas was a short but important event during the Mexican–American War. It happened on October 20, 1847, in the city of Guaymas, Mexico. During this event, ships from the United States Navy took control of the port city without a major battle.

What Was the Bombardment of Guaymas?

The Bombardment of Guaymas was a military action where U.S. Navy ships used the threat of their powerful cannons to make the Mexican defenders leave the city. This allowed the U.S. to take control of Guaymas, an important port on the Pacific coast.

Who Was Involved?

• United States Navy: The U.S. forces were led by Captain Elie A. F. La Vallette. He commanded two ships:

* The USS Congress, a large warship called a frigate. * The USS Portsmouth, a smaller warship known as a sloop.

• Mexican Defenders: The Mexican forces defending Guaymas were led by Colonel Antonio Campuzano. They had a coastal fort and cannons along the shore.

How Did It Happen?

On October 20, 1847, Captain La Vallette sailed his two warships, the USS Congress and the USS Portsmouth, into the harbor of Guaymas.

The Threat and Evacuation

Captain La Vallette threatened to fire his ships' cannons at the Mexican fort and the city itself. This threat was very serious. Because of this danger, Colonel Campuzano made a secret plan. During the night, he quietly moved his soldiers and cannons out of Guaymas. They left the city without the U.S. forces knowing.

Taking Control of Guaymas

The next morning, the U.S. ships fired some shots at the fort and the city. After this, Captain La Vallette sent a small group of sailors ashore to take control. To their surprise, they found the city almost empty. The Mexican soldiers were gone, and most of the people had also left.

Since Captain La Vallette did not have enough soldiers to fully occupy and hold the city, he decided to make sure the port could not be easily defended again. His men destroyed the cannons and defenses that faced the sea. Then, he left the USS Portsmouth anchored offshore. This ship's cannons could control the port. The USS Portsmouth also collected taxes from any ships that entered the harbor. This meant the U.S. now controlled who could use the port and gained money from it.

Why Was Guaymas Important?

Guaymas was a valuable port city on the Gulf of California. Controlling it was important for the United States during the Mexican-American War. It allowed the U.S. to have a strong presence on Mexico's Pacific coast and control trade in the region.