Cienega Affair

The Cienega Affair, or the Battle of Cienega Creek, was the last engagement of the Taos Revolt during the Mexican-American War. The battle occurred in July, 1847 and was fought between New Mexican insurgents, Pueblo natives and United States Army troops.

Battle
On July 9, 1847 a detachment of thirty-one men, belonging to Captain Jesse I. Morin's company of American infantry were stationed close to Cienega Creek about eighteen miles from Taos, New Mexico. On this early morning the Americans were attacked by two hundred New Mexican militia and their Pueblo allies. The ensuing battle resulted in an American retreat to the banks of Cienega Creek. The only American casualties apparently were sustained at the initial contact. Five United States fighting men were killed, and nine more were wounded.

Upon acquiring the creek bank position the New Mexicans and Pueblos launched another fast attack. The remaining twenty-six Americans were able to fight off the assault, killing or wounding many of their enemies according to reports. Eventually a relief force of a company, under a Captain Shepherd, arrived and assisted Captain Morin's men in defeating the rest of the New Mexican insurgents. The New Mexicans and Pueblos retreated, ending the last battle of the revolt.

It is perhaps known as an "affair" due to the supposed peace between New Mexican insurgents and the Americans which began after the Siege of Pueblo de Taos. The engagement was the second bloodiest battle for the United States during the revolt in New Mexico. Casualties of the New Mexicans and Pueblos are unknown.