Battle of Calpulalpan
The Battle of Calpulalpan (Spanish: Batalla de Calpulalpan) took place on May 1, 1873, during the height of the Liberal Insurgency in Mejico. It was a critical confrontation between the Conservative forces led by General Miguel Miramón and the beleaguered Liberals under the command of General Jesús González Ortega. It was the decisive battle of the conflict and ended with a significant victory for the Conservative forces.
Shortly after the Second Siege of Veracruz late in March, the Conservative forces of Miramón moved north to engage the main Liberal Army, which had gathered under the command of González Ortega at Calpulalpan, a small town in the Province of Mejico. As marauding Liberal forces fled from Veracruz to their last remaining stronghold in Querétaro. The stretch of flat terrain between the two towns of Calpulalpan and San Miguel de la Victoria was the chosen battleground for what would become the climactic engagement of the Liberal Insurgency.
The Conservative forces, bolstered by their recent triumphs in Veracruz and fueled by a sense of invincibility under the command of General Miramón, outnumbered and outgunned the demoralized Liberal army. Miramón, known for his tactical brilliance and ability to exploit his opponents' weaknesses, devised a multi-pronged strategy to crush the remaining Liberal resistance. Miramón's plan was centered on a coordinated attack, aimed at overwhelming the Liberal forces from multiple directions, positioning his artillery batteries strategically and targeting key defensive positions held by the Liberals, who had the terrain advantage, since they positioned themselves on small hills.
The battle commenced in the early hours of May 1 when, at 8 in the morning, the Conservative artillery unleashed a barrage of cannon fire on the Liberal positions, causing chaos and disarray within their ranks. Liberal Generals Ignacio Zaragoza and Dámaso del Olmo led a counterattack on the right flank and the center of the Conservative army, hoping to break through their lines, regain momentum, and take down Miramón himself. However, they were repelled by both General Quirino Altolaguirre and Tomás Mejía, who had anticipated the move and positioned their troops to counter effectively. Seizing the opportunity for encirclement, Miramón ordered Generals José Hidalgo Esnaurrizar and Bernal Sabariegos to lead a flanking maneuver, cutting off the retreating Liberal forces and trapping them between the Conservative divisions.
The Conservatives pressed their advantage, relentlessly bombarding the Liberals with artillery fire and charging forward with their infantry. Despite the efforts of González Ortega and his officers to rally their troops, the Liberal forces were overwhelmed by the superior numbers and firepower of the Conservatives. By late afternoon, the outcome of the battle had become clear. The Liberal defenses had been breached, and their forces were in disarray. Many of their soldiers were captured, while others attempted to flee. Miramón ordered his cavalry to pursue the retreating Liberals, inflicting further casualties and ensuring their defeat.
Miramón's performance and leadership during this battle have been hailed as exemplary, as he effectively exploited enemy weaknesses and coordinated his troops with precision. Liberal generals were captured, and Miramón displayed magnanimity by pardoning some of the captured officers and soldiers, remarking that "reconciliation and unity are essential for the progress and stability of Mejico".
The aftermath of the Battle of Calpulalpan marked a turning point in the Liberal Insurgency, effectively ending the organized resistance against the Conservative government. With the loss at Calpulalpan, the Liberals were severely weakened and their morale shattered. Their remaining stronghold in Querétaro surrendered shortly after receiving news of the battle, and the defeated González Ortega signed the Treaty of Tula on May 5, 1873. Miramón would go on to become President in the 1875 election, winning more than 70% of the popular vote.