- Cienega Affair
-
Battle of Cienega Creek Part of the Taos Revolt
Mexican-American War
United States cavalry and infantry, circa 1845.Date July 9, 1847 Location Cienega Creek, Taos County, New Mexico Result United States victory Belligerents 
United States
MexicoCommanders and leaders Jesse I. Morin unknown Strength ~140 ~200 Casualties and losses 5 killed
9 woundedunknown New Mexico CampaignMexican-American Conflict
Capture of Santa Fe - Capture of Tucson - Battle of El Brazito
Taos Revolt
Battle of Cañada - First Battle of Mora - Battle of Embudo Pass - Second Battle of Mora - Siege of Pueblo de Taos - Battle of Red River Canyon - Battle of Las Vegas - Battle of Cienega CreekThornton Affair · Fort Texas · Palo Alto · Resaca de la Palma · Olompali · Monterey · Santa Fe · Monterrey · 1st Tabasco · Los Angeles · Chino · Dominguez Rancho · Natividad · San Pasqual · Tucson · El Brazito · Rio San Gabriel · La Mesa · Cañada · 1st Mora · Embudo Pass · 2nd Mora · Pueblo de Taos · Buena Vista · Sacramento River · 1st Veracruz · 2nd Veracruz · Cerro Gordo · 1st Tuxpan · Red River Canyon · 2nd Tuxpan · 2nd Tabasco · 3rd Tuxpan · Las Vegas · Cienega Creek · Contreras · Churubusco · Molino del Rey · Chapultepec · Mexico City · Puebla · Mulege · Huamantla · Atlixco · Punta Sombrero · 1st La Paz · 1st San Jose del Cabo · 2nd La Paz · 2nd San Jose del Cabo · Santa Cruz de RosalesThe Cienega Affair, or the Battle of Cienega Creek, was the last engagement of the Taos Revolt during the Mexican-American War. The battle occurred in July, 1847 and was fought between New Mexican insurgents, Pueblo natives and United States Army troops.
Battle
On July 9, 1847 a detachment of thirty-one men, belonging to Captain Jesse I. Morin's company of American infantry were stationed close to Cienega Creek about eighteen miles from Taos, New Mexico. On this early morning the Americans were attacked by two hundred New Mexican militia and their Pueblo allies. The ensuing battle resulted in an American retreat to the banks of Cienega Creek. The only American casualties apparently were sustained at the initial contact. Five United States fighting men were killed, and nine more were wounded.
Upon acquiring the creek bank position the New Mexicans and Pueblos launched another fast attack. The remaining twenty-six Americans were able to fight off the assault, killing or wounding many of their enemies according to reports. Eventually a relief force of a company, under a Captain Shepherd, arrived and assisted Captain Morin's men in defeating the rest of the New Mexican insurgents. The New Mexicans and Pueblos retreated, ending the last battle of the revolt.
It is perhaps known as an "affair" due to the supposed peace between New Mexican insurgents and the Americans which began after the Siege of Pueblo de Taos. The engagement was the second bloodiest battle for the United States during the revolt in New Mexico. Casualties of the New Mexicans and Pueblos are unknown.
References
- Twitchell, R. E. Old Santa Fé. Santa Fé: R. E. Twitchell, 1925, p. 146.
- Hughes, John T. Doniphan's Expedition. Cincinnati: J. A. & U. P. James, 1848, pp. 403.
Categories:- 1847 in Mexico
- History of Taos, New Mexico
- Rebellions in the United States
- Mexican–American War
- History of the United States (1789–1849)
- Battles of the Mexican–American War
- New Mexico and Arizona Campaign
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