Battle of the Sacramento River

1847 battle of the Mexican-American War in Chihuahua State, Mexico

For the battle of the American Civil War, see Battle of Sacramento (Kentucky).

Battle of the Sacramento River

Part of the Mexican–American War

Battle of the Sacramento, F. Bastin
| Date| February 28, 1847

|

Location|

Sacramento River, Chihuahua, Mexico

Result|  American victory
Belligerents
United States|  Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Alexander Doniphan
Samuel Owens
Richard H. Weightman|  Ángel Álvarez
José Heredia
Strength
1,300|  2,000
Casualties and losses
N/D|  N/D

* v
* t
* e

Battles of the
Mexican–American War

Texas Campaign

* Thornton Affair
* Fort Texas
* Palo Alto
* Resaca de la Palma

California Campaign

* Monterey
* Los Angeles
* Chino
* Dominguez Rancho
* Natividad
* San Pasqual
* Rio San Gabriel
* La Mesa

New Mexico Campaign

* Santa Fe
* Tucson
* El Brazito
* Cañada
* 1st Mora
* Embudo Pass
* 2nd Mora
* Pueblo de Taos
* Red River Canyon
* Cienega Creek

Northern Mexican Theater

* Monterrey
* Buena Vista
* Sacramento River
* Santa Cruz de Rosales

Mexico City Campaign

* 1st Veracruz
* Polkos
* 2nd Veracruz
* Cerro Gordo
* Contreras
* Churubusco
* Molino del Rey
* Chapultepec
* Mexico City
* Puebla
* Huamantla
* Atlixco
* Matamoros
* Galaxara Pass
* Zacualtipan

Pacific Coast Campaign

* Guaymas
* Mulegé
* Punta Sombrero
* 1st La Paz
* 2nd La Paz
* 1st San Jose del Cabo
* 2nd San Jose del Cabo
* Todos Santos

Mosquito Fleet

* 1st Tuxpan
* 2nd Tuxpan
* 3rd Tuxpan
* 1st Tabasco
* 2nd Tabasco

Disposition of forces along the Sacramento[1]

The Battle of the Sacramento River took place on February 28, 1847, during the Mexican–American War. About fifteen miles (24 km) north of Chihuahua, Mexico, at the crossing of the Sacramento River, American forces numbering less than 1,000 defeated a superior Mexican army, which led to the occupation of Chihuahua.[2]: 153

## Background[edit]

On February 8, Colonel Alexander Doniphan's force of 924 soldiers and 300 civilians left El Paso del Norte for Chihuahua, despite learning that John E. Wool had abandoned his march there.[2]: 153 Major Samuel Owens had the civilians formed into a battalion along with the caravan of 312 wagons.[2]: 153 On 25 February, they reached the Laguna de Encenillas, where they learned of the Mexican defenses prepared for them.[2]: 153

Governor Trias had built up a force under the command of General Jose A. Heredia, consisting of 1,200 cavalry (Gen. Garcia Conde: Vera Cruz Dragoons, Durango & Chihuahua Lancers), 1,500 infantry (Chihuahua Activos), 119 artillerymen (10 field guns & 6 culverins) and 1,000 rancheros.[2]: 154 They had constructed a redoubt near the Hacienda Sacramento where the El Paso road crosses the river, and at Hacienda el Torreon two miles (3.2 km) to the west.[2]: 154

At sunrise on February 28, the Americans took up the line of march and formed the whole wagon train into four columns with the artillery and mounted men in the middle.[2]: 154 Three companies screened the front.[2]: 154 When the Americans arrived within sight of the Mexican defenses, Doniphan made a reconnaissance of the enemy positions.[2]: 154 Twenty-three separate works had been dug for twelve 4- to 9-pounders and nine lighter pieces.[2]: 154

## Battle[edit]

Doniphan used his cavalry to screen the movement of his force parallel to the Arroyo Seco and to the right and out of range of the Mexican artillery.[2]: 155 Doniphan formed the wagons into a fort after crossing the gully onto a plateau, and Major Meriwether Lewis Clark Sr.'s guns fired on General Garcia Conde's lancers, forcing them to flee.[2]: 155

Doniphan's men approached the southernmost Mexican earthworks, held by Heredia's best troops.[2]: 155 Doniphan ordered Capt. Richard H. Weightman's twin howitzers to the front accompanied by Capt. Reid's force of mounted cavalry men.[2]: 156 Major Owens was killed in the charge, but Missourians took the fort.[2]: 155

Trias attempted a counterattack but his lancers were halted by canister shot.[2]: 156 By 5 PM the fighting was over.[2]: 156

## Aftermath[edit]

Unable to defend Chihuahua, Trias fled to Parras.[2]: 156 Doniphan commented, "The fire of our battery was so effective as to completely silence theirs."[3] Doniphan's men marched into Chihuahua on March 2, and on April 23 he was ordered to bring his men to Saltillo, reaching Encantada on May 21.[2]: 157

## In popular culture[edit]

The Battle of the Sacramento River is mentioned in the 1985 Western novel Blood Meridian. While interned in a Chihuahua City prison, the main character of the book meets a veteran of the battle, who recounts its events.

## See also[edit]

* Battles of the Mexican–American War

## Gallery[edit]

* Colonel Alexander Doniphan

* Doniphan's Map from John T. Hughes' 1847 Doniphan's Expedition

Sketch of the Battle of Sacramento Omnis Viae Private Collection

## References[edit]

1. ^ Smith, J.H., 1919, The War with Mexico, New York:Macmillan
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Bauer, K.J., 1974, The Mexican War, 1846-1848, New York:Macmillan, ISBN 0803261071
3. ^ "Doniphan's report". Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2006.

## Further reading[edit]

* Brooks, N.C. Complete History Of The Mexican War: Grigg, Elliot & Co.Philadelphia 1849, pp.271-280
* Listing of 1846–1848 US Army Casualties
* Cooke, Philip St. George (1964). The Conquest of New Mexico and California, an Historical and Personal Narrative. Albuquerque, NM: Horn and Wallace. p. 89.

## External links[edit]

* Col. Doniphan's report of the battle
* Marker to Doniphan in Clay Co., MO. - Missouri "Mormon" Frontier Foundation. - John Whitmer Historical Association.
* Doniphan biography. - Kansas "bogus legislature" website.
* Doniphan. - Columbia Encyclopedia.
* Speaking of History Podcast with audio of John Dillingham speech on the life of Alexander Doniphan. - presented at the Truman Presidential Library in May 2007.
* A Continent Divided: The U.S. - Mexico War, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies, the University of Texas at Arlington

28°52′18″N 106°11′11″W﻿ / ﻿28.87167°N 106.18639°W﻿ / 28.87167; -106.18639
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