Battle of Cañada

The Battle of Cañada was part of the Taos Revolt, a popular insurrection against the American occupation of New Mexico by Mexicans and Pueblo Indians. It took place on January 24, 1847, during the Taos Revolt, a conflict of the Mexican-American War.

Battle
Insurgents, Mexicans and Pueblo Indians in New Mexico under the leadership of Pablo Chavez, Pablo Montoya, Jesus Tafoya and Diego Archuleta, began marching south toward the American-held city of Santa Fe. Before reaching their destination, they would be intercepted by the American garrison of Santa Fe, resulting in battle.

Colonel Sterling Price, commander of the U.S. forces in Santa Fe, heard of this insurgent movement and assembled a force of about 365 soldiers and militia to march north and intercept them. Price met the large insurgent force on a hilltop position near the presidio town of Santa Cruz de la Cañada. Price attacked and drove off the insurgents inflicting 36 deaths, including Jesus Tafoya, one of the leaders. The Mexicans retreated to strategic pass that guarded the principal route to Taos. A few days later Price again defeated the insurgents at the Battle of Embudo Pass and drove them back into fortifications at Pueblo de Taos.