José Inés Salazar
Encyclopedia
José Inés Salazar was a leading Orozquista General in the Mexican Revolution
.
Salazar was a native of Casas Grandes
, Chihuahua.
Prior to the Mexican Revolution he was a member of the Partido Liberal Mexicano.
Salazar was a good friend of Pascual Orozco
and in 1909, they were reported to be involved in arms running.
When Francisco Madero called for an armed revolt against the government of Porfirio Díaz
, Salazar and Orozco joined the cause. They and Pancho Villa were responsible for the early victories against federal forces in the winter of 1910-1911. Their biggest victory was the taking of Cuidad Juarez in May 1911, which led to the collapse of the Díaz government.
With the collapse of the Díaz government in May 1911, an interim government was formed to hold new elections in October. In July, Francisco Madero formed a new political party to run for the presidency. However, his moderate liberal views alienated many of his more radical supporters. Two of these, Francisco and Emilio Vazquez-Gomez attempted to gather support for an opposition. When it became apparent that Madero would win the October election, the Vazquez-Gomez brothers began organized a new uprising claiming that Madero had betrayed the spring revolution. This revolt attracted several dissatisfaction northern warriors of the spring revolution, including José Inés Salazar. Hostilities reached a peak in October 1911. This was part of his 1912 rebellion in collaboration with Emilio Campa as a result of Francisco I. Madero
's failure to give Salazar an appointment as the police commissioner in Casas Grande.
Pascual Orozco continued to support Madero, and in January 1912, he was able to contain the Vazquez-Gomez movement, both militarily and because of his popularity. However, in the March 1912, Orozco also became disenchanted with Madero, and he defected and joined with his old friend Salazar. That month, Salazar defeated the Federal garrison at Santa Rosalia. In April he forced Pancho Villa
and Maclovio Herrera out of Hidalgo del Parral. After this battle, he lost control of his troops, and they looted the city. This looting had strong repercussions. Public sentiment turned against Orozco and Salazar. They also received strong condemnation from the American press when Salazar allowed captured American soldier-of-fortune Thomas Fountain to be executed for fighting for Villa.
In 1912 as part of their campaign of "Mexico for Mexicans" Orozco and Salazar ordered the Mormons
to leave their colonies in Chihuahua and Sonora
.
In September 1912, a battalion of Salazar’s was routed in the Battle of San Joaquin, Sonora, by a battalion commanded by Lt. Colonel Alvaro Obregón.
In February 1913, a right-wing coup overthrew the Madero government, and Victoriano Huerta
became president. Huerta offered amnesty to the Orozco rebels who were still active at this time. Orozco and his lieutenants including Salazar agreed to cease fighting against the central government in exchange for paid positions as Mexican irregular forces.
In November 1913, Salazar commanded a brigade under General Francisco Castro defending Ciudad Juarez. On the 15th, they were attacked and driven out of Ciudad Juárez by Pancho Villa. Salazar was able to retreat south to Ciudad Chihuahua.
On the 23rd of November, General Salvador Mercado ordered Salazar to lead a force against Francisco Villa and retake Ciudad Juárez
. In this battle Salazar had superior artillery. However, on the morning of November 24th Salazar's army was overwhelmed by a coordinated attack between Villa's cavalry and Rodolfo Fierro
's exploding of materials in the army's rear. This important battle was called the Battle of Tierra Blanca
.
In January 1914, Mercado and Salazar were again attacked by Pancho Villa, this time at the border town Ojinaga
, Chihuahua. They were defeated and forced across the river to Presidio, Texas. There they were arrested by the American army and interned at Ft. Bliss Texas. Salazar was charged with smuggling munitions into Mexico. A Federal jury in Santa Fe
acquitted him of the smuggling charge in May 1914, but he was then taken to a detention camp at Fort Wingate
, New Mexico to face charges of violating American neutrality laws. Salazar retained the legal services of famous gunfighter/attorney Elfego Baca
. He was scheduled to go on trial in Albuquerque late November 1914, but on the 20th, just a few days before his trial, he was able to arrange a daring escape. In April 1915, his attorney Baca was charged with masterminding the escape.
Salazar was next seen in El Paso in early December 1914, crossing over into Mexico. For the next 6 months, he was active in Chihuahua attempting to organize a counterrevolution against the Carranza government. This movement was headed up by Victoriano Huerta and Pascual Orozco but the arrest of Huerta and Orozco in late June 1915 extinguished that plan.
Salazar returned to New Mexico in July 1915, surrendered to law enforcement authorities. He spent nearly five months incommunicado at the penitentiary in Santa Fe. A federal jury acquitted him of perjury charges on December 9, 1915. He immediately returned to Mexico.
In May 1916, Carranza’s federal soldiers captured and imprisoned Salazar in Ciudad Chihuahua. In September 1916, Pancho Villa raided the town and released all the prisoners. Salazar then joined rebel Villa’s forces. In November, Villa learned that federal soldiers are advancing north to confront him. Villa ordered Salazar south to delay the attacking federals. With 3,000 men, Salazar engaged 8,000 federal troops. He was defeated, but was able to retreat in good order.
In December 1916, Villa and Salazar attacked and took the city of Torreón. They captured large amounts of supplies and succeeded in extracting substantial amounts of money from the local merchants and foreign companies in the city.
By April 1917, Salazar was one of Villa’s most trusted Lieutenants, and was in command of over one thousand men. However, he was killed in battle on August 9, 1917 outside of Nogales Hacienda, Chihuahua.
Mexican Revolution
The Mexican Revolution was a major armed struggle that started in 1910, with an uprising led by Francisco I. Madero against longtime autocrat Porfirio Díaz. The Revolution was characterized by several socialist, liberal, anarchist, populist, and agrarianist movements. Over time the Revolution...
.
Salazar was a native of Casas Grandes
Casas Grandes, Chihuahua
Casas Grandes is a town located in the northern Mexican state of Chihuahua. It serves as the municipal seat of government for the surrounding Casas Grandes Municipality of the same name....
, Chihuahua.
Prior to the Mexican Revolution he was a member of the Partido Liberal Mexicano.
Salazar was a good friend of Pascual Orozco
Pascual Orozco
Pascual Orozco Vazquez was a Mexican revolutionary leader who, after the triumph of the Mexican Revolution, rose up against Francisco I...
and in 1909, they were reported to be involved in arms running.
When Francisco Madero called for an armed revolt against the government of Porfirio Díaz
Porfirio Díaz
José de la Cruz Porfirio Díaz Mori was a Mexican-American War volunteer and French intervention hero, an accomplished general and the President of Mexico continuously from 1876 to 1911, with the exception of a brief term in 1876 when he left Juan N...
, Salazar and Orozco joined the cause. They and Pancho Villa were responsible for the early victories against federal forces in the winter of 1910-1911. Their biggest victory was the taking of Cuidad Juarez in May 1911, which led to the collapse of the Díaz government.
With the collapse of the Díaz government in May 1911, an interim government was formed to hold new elections in October. In July, Francisco Madero formed a new political party to run for the presidency. However, his moderate liberal views alienated many of his more radical supporters. Two of these, Francisco and Emilio Vazquez-Gomez attempted to gather support for an opposition. When it became apparent that Madero would win the October election, the Vazquez-Gomez brothers began organized a new uprising claiming that Madero had betrayed the spring revolution. This revolt attracted several dissatisfaction northern warriors of the spring revolution, including José Inés Salazar. Hostilities reached a peak in October 1911. This was part of his 1912 rebellion in collaboration with Emilio Campa as a result of Francisco I. Madero
Francisco I. Madero
Francisco Ignacio Madero González was a politician, writer and revolutionary who served as President of Mexico from 1911 to 1913. As a respectable upper-class politician, he supplied a center around which opposition to the dictatorship of Porfirio Díaz could coalesce...
's failure to give Salazar an appointment as the police commissioner in Casas Grande.
Pascual Orozco continued to support Madero, and in January 1912, he was able to contain the Vazquez-Gomez movement, both militarily and because of his popularity. However, in the March 1912, Orozco also became disenchanted with Madero, and he defected and joined with his old friend Salazar. That month, Salazar defeated the Federal garrison at Santa Rosalia. In April he forced Pancho Villa
Pancho Villa
José Doroteo Arango Arámbula – better known by his pseudonym Francisco Villa or its hypocorism Pancho Villa – was one of the most prominent Mexican Revolutionary generals....
and Maclovio Herrera out of Hidalgo del Parral. After this battle, he lost control of his troops, and they looted the city. This looting had strong repercussions. Public sentiment turned against Orozco and Salazar. They also received strong condemnation from the American press when Salazar allowed captured American soldier-of-fortune Thomas Fountain to be executed for fighting for Villa.
In 1912 as part of their campaign of "Mexico for Mexicans" Orozco and Salazar ordered the Mormons
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
to leave their colonies in Chihuahua and Sonora
Sonora
Sonora officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Sonora is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided into 72 municipalities; the capital city is Hermosillo....
.
In September 1912, a battalion of Salazar’s was routed in the Battle of San Joaquin, Sonora, by a battalion commanded by Lt. Colonel Alvaro Obregón.
In February 1913, a right-wing coup overthrew the Madero government, and Victoriano Huerta
Victoriano Huerta
José Victoriano Huerta Márquez was a Mexican military officer and president of Mexico. Huerta's supporters were known as Huertistas during the Mexican Revolution...
became president. Huerta offered amnesty to the Orozco rebels who were still active at this time. Orozco and his lieutenants including Salazar agreed to cease fighting against the central government in exchange for paid positions as Mexican irregular forces.
In November 1913, Salazar commanded a brigade under General Francisco Castro defending Ciudad Juarez. On the 15th, they were attacked and driven out of Ciudad Juárez by Pancho Villa. Salazar was able to retreat south to Ciudad Chihuahua.
On the 23rd of November, General Salvador Mercado ordered Salazar to lead a force against Francisco Villa and retake Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez
Ciudad Juárez , officially known today as Heroica Ciudad Juárez, but abbreviated Juárez and formerly known as El Paso del Norte, is a city and seat of the municipality of Juárez in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. Juárez's estimated population is 1.5 million people. The city lies on the Rio Grande...
. In this battle Salazar had superior artillery. However, on the morning of November 24th Salazar's army was overwhelmed by a coordinated attack between Villa's cavalry and Rodolfo Fierro
Rodolfo Fierro
Rodolfo Fierro was a railway worker, railway superintendent, federal soldier and lieutenant in the army of Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution in the . Fierro and his counter part and fellow lieutenant, Tomas Urbina, have been cited as the two halves of Pancho Villa, Fierro representing his...
's exploding of materials in the army's rear. This important battle was called the Battle of Tierra Blanca
Battle of Tierra Blanca
The Battle of Tierra Blanca was fought during the Mexican Revolution. It took place about 35 miles south of Ciudad Juárez. It was a major victory for Francisco "Pancho" Villa over the forces of José Inés Salazar, commander of the forces loyal to Victoriano Huerta.The two armies were of relatively...
.
In January 1914, Mercado and Salazar were again attacked by Pancho Villa, this time at the border town Ojinaga
Ojinaga
Ojinaga Municipality is one of the 67 municipalities of Chihuahua, in northern Mexico. The municipal seat lies at Ojinaga, a rural bordertown on the U.S.-Mexico border...
, Chihuahua. They were defeated and forced across the river to Presidio, Texas. There they were arrested by the American army and interned at Ft. Bliss Texas. Salazar was charged with smuggling munitions into Mexico. A Federal jury in Santa Fe
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe is the capital of the U.S. state of New Mexico. It is the fourth-largest city in the state and is the seat of . Santa Fe had a population of 67,947 in the 2010 census...
acquitted him of the smuggling charge in May 1914, but he was then taken to a detention camp at Fort Wingate
Fort Wingate
Fort Wingate is near Gallup, New Mexico. There were two locations in New Mexico that had this name. The first one was located near San Rafael. The current fort was established on the southern edge of the Navajo territory in 1862. The initial purpose of the fort was to control the large Navajo...
, New Mexico to face charges of violating American neutrality laws. Salazar retained the legal services of famous gunfighter/attorney Elfego Baca
Elfego Baca
Elfego Baca was a gunman, lawman, lawyer, and politician in the closing days of the American wild west. Baca was born in Socorro, New Mexico just before the end of the American Civil War to Francisco and Juana Maria Baca. His family moved to Topeka, Kansas when he was a young child...
. He was scheduled to go on trial in Albuquerque late November 1914, but on the 20th, just a few days before his trial, he was able to arrange a daring escape. In April 1915, his attorney Baca was charged with masterminding the escape.
Salazar was next seen in El Paso in early December 1914, crossing over into Mexico. For the next 6 months, he was active in Chihuahua attempting to organize a counterrevolution against the Carranza government. This movement was headed up by Victoriano Huerta and Pascual Orozco but the arrest of Huerta and Orozco in late June 1915 extinguished that plan.
Salazar returned to New Mexico in July 1915, surrendered to law enforcement authorities. He spent nearly five months incommunicado at the penitentiary in Santa Fe. A federal jury acquitted him of perjury charges on December 9, 1915. He immediately returned to Mexico.
In May 1916, Carranza’s federal soldiers captured and imprisoned Salazar in Ciudad Chihuahua. In September 1916, Pancho Villa raided the town and released all the prisoners. Salazar then joined rebel Villa’s forces. In November, Villa learned that federal soldiers are advancing north to confront him. Villa ordered Salazar south to delay the attacking federals. With 3,000 men, Salazar engaged 8,000 federal troops. He was defeated, but was able to retreat in good order.
In December 1916, Villa and Salazar attacked and took the city of Torreón. They captured large amounts of supplies and succeeded in extracting substantial amounts of money from the local merchants and foreign companies in the city.
By April 1917, Salazar was one of Villa’s most trusted Lieutenants, and was in command of over one thousand men. However, he was killed in battle on August 9, 1917 outside of Nogales Hacienda, Chihuahua.
External links
- Cartoon of Salazar fighting "Uncle Sam" http://www.lib.utexas.edu/benson/revolutionarymexico/images6.html