Siege of La Paz
Encyclopedia
The Siege of La Paz was a Mexican
siege of their own city of La Paz
in Baja California Sur
. Mexican militia
forces attempted to destroy the United States
Army garrison
, occupying the peninsular
town. The siege occurred over a twelve day period in November and December 1847, at the end of the Mexican-American War.
had been drafting Mexican peasant
s to serve in his campaign on the western coast of Mexico. After his militia army was defeated twice at the Battle of La Paz
and the Battle of San José del Cabo
, Captain Pineda decided to continue the campaign with a prolonged engagement at La Paz, hoping to finish what he failed to do at the first battle.
The American garrison at this time included 111 men, of the New York Volunteers
, a volunteer force from New York
and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Henry S. Burton when they landed peacefully in La Paz on June 21. Two 6 pounder field gun
s were also among the American militia, holding down an old adobe
barracks
.
The United States Navy
at this time had no warship
s to help protect La Paz, all of which had sailed north to Alta California
for orders, others left Mexican waters for supplies. This left the American garrison with no ability to evacuate La Paz, should it become necessary.
They advanced, under cover of ravine
s and cacti
, toward the United States Army
's barracks position. Before the first battle at La Paz, the New York Volunteers had assembled a type of small redoubt
, made of palm tree logs and dirt. The logs were placed in front of their small two gun artillery battery
and formed into a makeshift wall to protect the men themselves.
When the second Mexican attack came to La Paz, the Americans, who used their knowledge from the first battle, improved their defense works to make them even more effective than before. The Mexicans, charged the American position but were driven back by accurate musket
fire and shot from the American battery. The main Mexican attack failed so Pineda resorted to ineffective skirmishing for the remainder of the siege.
Pineda's militia also set fire to many of the buildings at La Paz. On December 8th, a little boat, sent to the United States Navy blockading fleet at Mazatlán
by Colonel Burton, arrived back at La Paz with food, water and ammunition. Later the same day, USS Cyane
, under Commodore William Shubrick
's orders, arrived at San José from San Blas.
Cyanes mission was to relieve the American army garrison which was before then, stranded on the Baja Peninsula with the ocean at their backs and an overwhelming Mexican army in front. Once Captain Manuel Pineda learned of the Cyanes arrival at La Paz, he ordered a retreat, thus Cyane lifted the siege which resulted in an American victory. Pineda's campaign was not over yet though; he would move on to besiege San José del Cabo in the following days.
Tunis Craven described the appearance of the ruined town later on in a report. "All of that part of the town not protected by the garrison's muskets was burned, the vine
and fig
tree, as well as the graceful palm-all being devoured. Such are the beauties of war."
While the Mexicans were besieging La Paz, U.S. President James K. Polk
, in his annual message to the Congress
, on December 7, 1847, stated: "Early after the commencement of the war, New Mexico and the Californias were taken possession by our forces. Our military and naval commanders were ordered to conquer and to hold them, subject to be disposed of by a treaty of peace. These Provinces are now in our undisputed occupation and have been so for many months, all resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased within their limits. . . . I am satisfied that they should never be surrendered to Mexico." He apparently wrote this, not knowing the Mexicans were indeed defending the Californias from the United States invasion.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
siege of their own city of La Paz
La Paz, Baja California Sur
La Paz is the capital city of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur and an important regional commercial center. The city had a 2010 census population of 215,178 persons, but its metropolitan population is somewhat larger because of surrounding towns like el Centenario, el Zacatal and San Pedro...
in Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur
Baja California Sur , is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. Before becoming a state on October 8, 1974, the area was known as the South Territory of Baja California. It has an area of , or 3.57% of the land mass of Mexico and comprises...
. Mexican militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
forces attempted to destroy the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Army garrison
Garrison
Garrison is the collective term for a body of troops stationed in a particular location, originally to guard it, but now often simply using it as a home base....
, occupying the peninsular
Baja California Peninsula
The Baja California peninsula , is a peninsula in northwestern Mexico. Its land mass separates the Pacific Ocean from the Gulf of California. The Peninsula extends from Mexicali, Baja California in the north to Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur in the south.The total area of the Baja California...
town. The siege occurred over a twelve day period in November and December 1847, at the end of the Mexican-American War.
Background
Captain Manuel Pineda, of the Mexican ArmyMexican Army
The Mexican Army is the combined land and air branch and largest of the Mexican Military services; it also is known as the National Defense Army. It is famous for having been the first army to adopt and use an automatic rifle, , in 1899, and the first to issue automatic weapons as standard issue...
had been drafting Mexican peasant
Peasant
A peasant is an agricultural worker who generally tend to be poor and homeless-Etymology:The word is derived from 15th century French païsant meaning one from the pays, or countryside, ultimately from the Latin pagus, or outlying administrative district.- Position in society :Peasants typically...
s to serve in his campaign on the western coast of Mexico. After his militia army was defeated twice at the Battle of La Paz
Battle of La Paz
The Battle of La Paz was an engagement of the Pacific Coast Campaign during the Mexican-American War. The belligerents were United States Army troops against Mexican militia, commanded by Mexican Army officers...
and the Battle of San José del Cabo
Battle of San José del Cabo
The Battle of San José del Cabo was a military engagement of the Mexican-American War which took place on two November days in 1847, after the fall of Mexico City.-Background:...
, Captain Pineda decided to continue the campaign with a prolonged engagement at La Paz, hoping to finish what he failed to do at the first battle.
The American garrison at this time included 111 men, of the New York Volunteers
New York Volunteers
The New York Volunteers was a American Loyalist provincial regiment which was served in the British Army during American War of Independence.It was raised in Halifax, January 1776. Two companies were in the 1776 New York campaign. It was at the raids on Fort Clinton and Fort Montgomery...
, a volunteer force from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Henry S. Burton when they landed peacefully in La Paz on June 21. Two 6 pounder field gun
Field gun
A field gun is an artillery piece. Originally the term referred to smaller guns that could accompany a field army on the march and when in combat could be moved about the battlefield in response to changing circumstances, as to opposed guns installed in a fort, or to siege cannon or mortars which...
s were also among the American militia, holding down an old adobe
Adobe
Adobe is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material , which the builders shape into bricks using frames and dry in the sun. Adobe buildings are similar to cob and mudbrick buildings. Adobe structures are extremely durable, and account for...
barracks
Barracks
Barracks are specialised buildings for permanent military accommodation; the word may apply to separate housing blocks or to complete complexes. Their main object is to separate soldiers from the civilian population and reinforce discipline, training and esprit de corps. They were sometimes called...
.
The United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
at this time had no warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
s to help protect La Paz, all of which had sailed north to Alta California
Alta California
Alta California was a province and territory in the Viceroyalty of New Spain and later a territory and department in independent Mexico. The territory was created in 1769 out of the northern part of the former province of Las Californias, and consisted of the modern American states of California,...
for orders, others left Mexican waters for supplies. This left the American garrison with no ability to evacuate La Paz, should it become necessary.
Siege
After the defeat at San Jose, Captain Pineda's force had been increased by the company which had been repulsed, bringing his total strength to around 500 men. On or about November 26, Pineda set out from his base at La Laguna for La Paz. The next day he arrived and began positioning his troops around the settlement. That same day, Pineda launched an assault on the town, which he personally led.They advanced, under cover of ravine
Ravine
A ravine is a landform narrower than a canyon and is often the product of streamcutting erosion. Ravines are typically classified as larger in scale than gullies, although smaller than valleys. A ravine is generally a fluvial slope landform of relatively steep sides, on the order of twenty to...
s and cacti
Cactus
A cactus is a member of the plant family Cactaceae. Their distinctive appearance is a result of adaptations to conserve water in dry and/or hot environments. In most species, the stem has evolved to become photosynthetic and succulent, while the leaves have evolved into spines...
, toward the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
's barracks position. Before the first battle at La Paz, the New York Volunteers had assembled a type of small redoubt
Redoubt
A redoubt is a fort or fort system usually consisting of an enclosed defensive emplacement outside a larger fort, usually relying on earthworks, though others are constructed of stone or brick. It is meant to protect soldiers outside the main defensive line and can be a permanent structure or a...
, made of palm tree logs and dirt. The logs were placed in front of their small two gun artillery battery
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
and formed into a makeshift wall to protect the men themselves.
When the second Mexican attack came to La Paz, the Americans, who used their knowledge from the first battle, improved their defense works to make them even more effective than before. The Mexicans, charged the American position but were driven back by accurate musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
fire and shot from the American battery. The main Mexican attack failed so Pineda resorted to ineffective skirmishing for the remainder of the siege.
Pineda's militia also set fire to many of the buildings at La Paz. On December 8th, a little boat, sent to the United States Navy blockading fleet at Mazatlán
Mazatlán
Mazatlán is a city in the Mexican state of Sinaloa; the surrounding municipio for which the city serves as the municipal seat is Mazatlán Municipality. It is located at on the Pacific coast, across from the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula.Mazatlán is a Nahuatl word meaning...
by Colonel Burton, arrived back at La Paz with food, water and ammunition. Later the same day, USS Cyane
USS Cyane
Three ships of the United States Navy have been named Cyane, after the Greek nymph.* The USS Cyane , was originally HMS Cyane captured in 1815 and taken into the US Navy, where she served until 1836....
, under Commodore William Shubrick
William Shubrick
William Branford Shubrick was an officer in the United States Navy. His active-duty career extended from 1806 to 1861, including service in the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War; he retired in the early months of the Civil War.-Biography:Born at "Belvedere," Bull's Island, South Carolina,...
's orders, arrived at San José from San Blas.
Cyanes mission was to relieve the American army garrison which was before then, stranded on the Baja Peninsula with the ocean at their backs and an overwhelming Mexican army in front. Once Captain Manuel Pineda learned of the Cyanes arrival at La Paz, he ordered a retreat, thus Cyane lifted the siege which resulted in an American victory. Pineda's campaign was not over yet though; he would move on to besiege San José del Cabo in the following days.
Aftermath
While the number of Mexican casualties during the second attack on La Paz is not known, Henry Burton reported finding thirty-six freshly dug graves around the Mexican camp after they had retreated. No Americans had been killed, some are said to have been wounded. LieutenantLieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Tunis Craven described the appearance of the ruined town later on in a report. "All of that part of the town not protected by the garrison's muskets was burned, the vine
Vine
A vine in the narrowest sense is the grapevine , but more generally it can refer to any plant with a growth habit of trailing or scandent, that is to say climbing, stems or runners...
and fig
Ficus
Ficus is a genus of about 850 species of woody trees, shrubs, vines, epiphytes, and hemiepiphyte in the family Moraceae. Collectively known as fig trees or figs, they are native throughout the tropics with a few species extending into the semi-warm temperate zone. The Common Fig Ficus is a genus of...
tree, as well as the graceful palm-all being devoured. Such are the beauties of war."
While the Mexicans were besieging La Paz, U.S. President James K. Polk
James K. Polk
James Knox Polk was the 11th President of the United States . Polk was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He later lived in and represented Tennessee. A Democrat, Polk served as the 17th Speaker of the House of Representatives and the 12th Governor of Tennessee...
, in his annual message to the Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
, on December 7, 1847, stated: "Early after the commencement of the war, New Mexico and the Californias were taken possession by our forces. Our military and naval commanders were ordered to conquer and to hold them, subject to be disposed of by a treaty of peace. These Provinces are now in our undisputed occupation and have been so for many months, all resistance on the part of Mexico having ceased within their limits. . . . I am satisfied that they should never be surrendered to Mexico." He apparently wrote this, not knowing the Mexicans were indeed defending the Californias from the United States invasion.