Magdalena Affair
| Magdalena Affair | |||||||
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| Part of Second French intervention in Mexico | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
| United States United States |
 Second Mexican Empire | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
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| Units involved | |||||||
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| Strength | |||||||
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2 Captains 1 1st lieutenant from the 7th 30 Californios | 250 Mexican Imperialists | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| None | None | ||||||
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The Magdalena Affair occurred when thirty men from a California Volunteer cavalry unit based at Fort Mason rode into Magdalena, Sonora to recover fifteen deserters and stolen property.
Background
In early September, 15 members of Companies A&B of the 1st California Cavalry Battalion left Fort Mason with 30 horses and "numerous" pistols and carbines.[1] The deserters headed to Magdalena, Sonora. When news of the deserters’ location reached the California Volunteers, Captain Pico, with Jimeno and Lt. William Emery of the 7th, and 30 cavalrymen were sent to recover the deserters and the stolen property.[1]
The Affair
The detachment crossed the border in a two-day ride that brought them outside of the Sonoran town on the 12th. When they arrived, Captain Pico sent Emery forward to talk to the Imperialist forces. Pico grew impatient with the delay and sent 8–10 men to rush into town.[1] Stopping in front of Moreno's office, Pico demanded to have the deserters and stolen property brought before him, as well as safe return across the border. During the ensuing heated dispute, Pico declared that as an officer of the United States Army, he did not recognize their government. A crowd of townsfolk assembled in the plaza cheered on the Native Californian. Moreno thought that Pico was there to start a battle. Moreno sent 10–20 cavalrymen to line up across from the Californios and sent for an infantry detachment estimated to be around 250 [2] in total and mostly armed with out of date flint-lock muskets.[2] They flew a sun-bleached Mexican flag with an eagle and a crown on top of it that was clearly added later.[2] "A single gun fired at this moment would have started a general fight."[1] The Imperialists refused all demands from Pico, saying that they would need to hear from their French officers in Hermosillo first, which was eight days away. In the meantime, Pico ordered all but six of his troopers back. Later the Imperialists refused to return the stolen goods or the deserters and demanded the Californians leave the town in eight hours and the state in 48. Members of the Imperialist crowd made remarks about how they wanted to take them prisoner, "...and at one time I did think they would try to take us."[2] As tensions eased, the Californios were treated to a nice dinner and talked with the locals. When the meal was finished, the cavalrymen left Magdalena and headed north to the border unable to recover the deserters or stolen property.[3]
Aftermath
When the Californios were returning north they encountered a party of 5 Apaches and chased them until they got to the rocky hills.[2] Two horses fell down; one of them being Captain Pico's. Unfortunately, when he fell, his pistol accidentally discharged, missing him but burning his muzzle. Later they made it back to Fort Mason. Then the company got news that Moreno's men sold all of the stolen property. One of the participants remarked after it was all over that "You may rest assured something will grow out of this affair."[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "California and the Civil War: Regiments of the California Volunteers in Federal Service: 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry". www.militarymuseum.org. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Sacramento Daily Union,19 October 1865
- ↑ Los Angeles Tri-Weekly News, October 24, 1865
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