Battle of Carrizo Canyon
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Carrizo Canyon was one of several battles between Apache
warrior
s and United States Cavalry
troops in New Mexico Territory
. On August 12, 1881 a squad on nineteen 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers were attacked by native warriors in Carrizo Canyon.
.jpg)
The overall American commander is not known though the right flank of the American forces in Carrizo Canyon during the battle were led by Sergeant
George Jordan
who was already a veteran of the Apache Wars
. Jordan commanded at the Battle of Fort Tularosa victory a year earlier. Little is known of the event but the American troops held their exposed ground against a superior native contingent who attempted to surround the cavalry. The Apaches were repulsed and ultimately retreated, suffering some dead and wounded. Sergeant Jordan, now having won another impressive victory, would eventually receive the Medal of Honor
for his leadership in the two separate battles. American casualties are unknown.
Apache
Apache is the collective term for several culturally related groups of Native Americans in the United States originally from the Southwest United States. These indigenous peoples of North America speak a Southern Athabaskan language, which is related linguistically to the languages of Athabaskan...
warrior
Warrior
A warrior is a person skilled in combat or warfare, especially within the context of a tribal or clan-based society that recognizes a separate warrior class.-Warrior classes in tribal culture:...
s and United States Cavalry
United States Cavalry
The United States Cavalry, or U.S. Cavalry, is the designation of the mounted force of the United States Army. The role of the U.S. Cavalry is reconnaissance, security and mounted assault. Cavalry has served as a part of the Army forces in every war in which the United States has participated...
troops in New Mexico Territory
New Mexico Territory
thumb|right|240px|Proposed boundaries for State of New Mexico, 1850The Territory of New Mexico was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from September 9, 1850, until January 6, 1912, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of...
. On August 12, 1881 a squad on nineteen 10th Cavalry Buffalo Soldiers were attacked by native warriors in Carrizo Canyon.
Battle
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
George Jordan
George Jordan
George Jordan was a Buffalo Soldier in the United States Army and a recipient of America's highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States....
who was already a veteran of the Apache Wars
Apache Wars
The Apache Wars were a series of armed conflicts between the United States and Apaches fought in the Southwest from 1849 to 1886, though other minor hostilities continued until as late as 1924. The Confederate Army participated in the wars during the early 1860s, for instance in Texas, before being...
. Jordan commanded at the Battle of Fort Tularosa victory a year earlier. Little is known of the event but the American troops held their exposed ground against a superior native contingent who attempted to surround the cavalry. The Apaches were repulsed and ultimately retreated, suffering some dead and wounded. Sergeant Jordan, now having won another impressive victory, would eventually receive the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his leadership in the two separate battles. American casualties are unknown.