First Battle of Tucson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids First Battle of Tucson |
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| Part of the Apache-Mexico Wars | |||||||
 The Sonoran Desert, outside Tucson. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spain |
Apache | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Pedro Allande y Saabedra |
Quilcho | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 15 cavalry 1 fort |
~350 warriors | ||||||
The First Battle of Tucson was an important fight that happened in Tucson, Arizona, on December 9, 1779. It was part of a bigger series of conflicts known as the Apache-Mexico Wars. In this battle, a small group of just fifteen Spanish soldiers, led by Captain Pedro Allande y Saabedra, managed to defeat a much larger force of about 350 Apache warriors. This event showed how a small, well-trained group could win against many more opponents.
What Happened in the Battle?
Not a lot of detailed information is known about this first battle at Tucson, but the main events are clear. A large group of Apache warriors, estimated by Captain Allande to be around 350, came close to the Spanish fort. This fort was called Fort Tucson.
Captain Allande quickly gathered a small team of fifteen men. These men were lancers, which means they were cavalry soldiers who used long spears called lances. They bravely went out to face the Apache force.
The Fight and Its Outcome
The battle was a long chase and fight, with the Spanish lancers pursuing the Apache warriors. During the fight, the Spanish soldiers were successful. Captain Allande himself managed to cut off and bring back the head of a fallen Apache chieftain. He carried it on his lance as a symbol of their victory.
When the remaining Apache warriors saw this, they quickly left the battlefield. They also abandoned the livestock they had stolen. Reports from the time say that several Apache men were killed or wounded during the battle. Among those affected was a brother of Chief Quilcho, who was a leader of the Apache. The exact number of people hurt or killed on both sides is not known.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Tucsón (1779) para niños
