Fourth Battle of Tucson facts for kids

The Fourth Battle of Tucson was a raid that happened during the long wars between Spanish settlers in what is now Arizona and the Apache and Navajo Native American tribes. Early in the morning on March 21, 1784, a large group of about 500 Apache and Navajo warriors launched a surprise attack. They targeted Spanish soldiers who were guarding a herd of animals at the Presidio San Augustin del Tucson, a fort in southern Arizona.

Quick facts for kids Fourth Battle of Tucson
Part of the Mexican Apache Wars, Mexican Navajo Wars
Tucson's Stone Avenue in 1885.
Date March 21, 1784 Location Tucson, New Spain, Sonora Modern Day: Tucson, Arizona Result Apache/Navajo victory, native American raid on livestock pen completed.
Belligerents
Spain	Apache Navajo
Commanders and leaders
Juan Carrillo	Chiquito
Strength
~20 cavalry 1 fort	~500 warriors
Casualties and losses
5 killed 1 wounded	3 killed

The Attack on the Fort

The Spanish soldiers guarding the animals were led by Ensign Juan Carrillo. Hundreds of Apache and Navajo warriors, riding on horseback, attacked their position. The Native Americans wanted to steal horses from the Spanish fort's animal pen.

Ensign Carrillo's small group of soldiers bravely defended the animals. Even though the Spanish fought hard, the Native Americans eventually managed to scare the herd and drive them away. In the fight, five Spanish soldiers were killed and one was hurt. The Apache and Navajo lost three warriors, and an unknown number were wounded. They successfully took thirteen horses from the fort.

Right after the attack, two more Spanish soldiers arrived and reported what had happened. Without wasting any time, a group of Spanish troops quickly got on their horses and began to follow the trail of the retreating Native Americans.

The Chase and Second Battle

The Catalina Mountains, where the chase ended.

The Spanish troops were led by Lieutenant Tomás Equrrola. Their group was made stronger with thirty Pima scouts from nearby towns like Tupson and San Xavier. This fighting force included forty-nine men in total, counting the Pima scouts and five citizens. They also had twelve men from the original animal guard.

The Spanish and Pima force left Tucson and, after only forty-five minutes, they caught up with the Navajos and Apaches. This happened at the base of the Catalina Mountains, near the Catalina River. Another battle began there. Lieutenant Equrrola's men killed fourteen warriors, including the Native American leader, Chief Chiquito.