Second Battle of Tucson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Second Battle of Tucson |
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| Part of Apache-Mexico Wars | |||||||
 The reconstructed bastion of Fort Tucson, 2009. |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Spain |
Apache | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Pedro Allande y Saabedra |
unknown | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
| 62 cavalry 10 native scouts ~1 artillery 1 fort |
~600 warriors | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1 killed 3 wounded |
8-30 killed | ||||||
| Civilian Casualties: 1 killed | |||||||
The Second Battle of Tucson, also called the May Day Attack, was a fight that happened in Tucson, Arizona. It took place on May 1, 1782, during the Mexican Apache Wars. A small group of Spanish soldiers fought against hundreds of Apache warriors. The battle happened in Tucson and a nearby pueblo (village).
What Happened Before
Fort Tucson was a Spanish fortress built in what is now downtown Tucson. It was started by Hugh O'Conor in 1775. The fort was finished in 1783. Its main job was to protect important travel and trade routes. These routes connected northern Sonora and southern Alta California.
The fort usually had about 40 to 60 cavalry (soldiers on horseback). Most of these soldiers were from Sonora. Also, Pima Native American scouts helped out. Fort Tucson was mostly made of adobe bricks and wood from mesquite trees. It had at least one cannon and a few officers.
Tucson was a lonely place back then. It was on the right side of the Santa Cruz River. On the other side was a Pima village called Indian Town. A bridge connected the village and the fort.
Captain Pedro Allande y Saabedra was in charge of the fort. He ordered a wide ditch filled with water to be built around the fort. There was also a palisade (a fence of logs). Two ramparts (raised banks of earth) held cannons. Four bulwarks (strong parts of the wall), storage rooms for supplies, a guard tower, and a church were also built. The fort's walls were very strong and ranged from 10 to 30 feet high. There were two gates, one on the east and one on the west. Some houses outside the main fort walls were protected by cannons.
By 1782, the Spanish had been fighting the Apaches for a long time in the Tucson area. The fort had already fought off an attack in 1779, known as the First Battle of Tucson. More small fights happened near Tucson in 1780. Apaches also attacked wagon trains and small groups of travelers.
However, in 1782, the Apache tactics changed. They started gathering in larger groups. They began attacking strong forts or well-protected settlements. About 600 Apache warriors headed for Tucson. They were striking back after the Spanish had gone deep into Apache lands. Captain Saabedra later said it was the biggest group of Apache warriors he had ever seen.
The Battle Begins
On Sunday, May 1, 1782, around 10:00 am, the Apaches launched a surprise attack. They split their forces into two groups. One group attacked Indian Town, and the other went for Fort Tucson. Their goal was to capture the fort.
Most of the Spanish soldiers were not inside the fort. Many were scattered around town, getting ready for Sunday church. Some Jesuit missionaries were in Tucson. One later reported that about 200 Apaches fought on foot. He couldn't guess how many were on horses.
The fighting happened in three main places:
- At the bridge connecting Indian Town to Tucson.
- At the western gate of the fort.
- Near the western gate, at Lieutenant Miguel de Urrea's house.
At the time, the Spanish forces had 42 lancers (soldiers with spears), 20 dragoons (mounted infantry), and 10 native scouts. One Apache group first attacked Indian village from the north. They met little resistance before moving towards the bridge. The other Apache group went straight for the fort.
At the bridge, a small group of Spanish troops held their ground. Their muskets were better than the Apache bows and arrows. Meanwhile, the second Apache group rushed the open gate of Fort Tucson. But Captain Allande and four of his men, positioned above the gate, stopped them with cannon and musket fire.
Lieutenant Urrea also helped stop the attack. He was on the roof of his house, which had a parapet (a low wall). His house was next to the Apache attack route. Urrea and his native servant were praised for stopping over 140 Apaches. This kept them from joining the main Apache force trying to capture the fort. The soldiers holding the bridge, who fought against over 200 warriors, were also commended.
After two hours of close fighting, the Apaches had at least eight confirmed deaths. Many more were badly wounded. Apaches often carried their dead and wounded away from battles. This means it's likely more than eight warriors died during or after the fight.
The Spanish lost one soldier and had three wounded. One female civilian was also killed by the attackers. After seeing so many of his warriors killed or wounded, the Apache war chief ordered a retreat.
What Happened Next
The eight Apache deaths were confirmed by reports from the fort's soldiers and the Jesuits. Other reports said as many as 30 Apaches were killed. Lieutenant Urrea personally killed or wounded at least five Apaches from his house. His servant also killed or wounded a few others. Captain Allande killed two men.
One soldier, José Antonio Delgado, hid in a tree during the whole battle. He later reported seeing three dead Apaches being carried away by their fellow warriors. He also saw several wounded Apaches being carried into the desert. These were likely hurt by cannon fire.
The Spanish won this battle. However, the Apaches returned a few months later, on December 15. They raided some livestock. This resulted in another Spanish victory and the deaths of a few more warriors. Spanish records from that time show that only a few Apaches were killed in overall campaigns. The highest number of Apache deaths was never more than 50. This was probably because of the Apache's evasion tactics.
Images for kids
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The reconstructed bastion of Fort Tucson, 2009.
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A sketch of the Presidio chapel along the east wall of the Tucson Presidio.
See also
In Spanish: Segunda batalla de Tucson para niños
