Second Battle of Fort Defiance facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Second Battle of Fort Defiance |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Navajo Wars | |||||||
 Fort Defiance in 1873, by Seth Eastman. |
|||||||
|
|||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 United States of America |
Navajo | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Oliver Shepherd |
Manuelito Barboncito |
||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 150 infantry 1 fort |
~1,000 warriors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 4 killed 3 wounded |
~7 killed unknown wounded |
||||||
The Second Battle of Fort Defiance was an important fight during the Navajo Wars. These wars were a series of conflicts between the United States and the Navajo people. This particular battle happened on April 29, 1860.
About 1,000 Navajo warriors launched a surprise attack. They targeted the United States Army base called Fort Defiance. This fort was located in what was then New Mexico Territory. Today, this area is part of Arizona.
The Navajo warriors tried to take the fort by surprise. However, 150 American soldiers defended the fort. These soldiers were from the 3rd Infantry. They were led by Captain Oliver L. Shepherd. The American soldiers gathered in the center of the fort's buildings. They managed to hold off the Navajo attack.
After a tough fight, the Navajo warriors had to retreat. About seven Navajo warriors were killed, and several more were hurt. The American soldiers had one person killed and three wounded. The Americans successfully defended their fort.
Why This Battle Was Important
This battle was quite unique. It was one of the few times that Native American warriors attacked a strong, well-guarded fort after it was built. This happened after the Mexican–American War.
The Second Battle of Fort Defiance was also one of the biggest battles ever fought in what is now Arizona. It had a big impact on future events. Because of this attack, a military leader named Manuel Antonio Chaves decided to lead his own campaign. He took his soldiers into Navajo territory in 1860 and 1861. This led to more fighting in the region.
