The Last Cavalry Charge, Apizaco, Mexico 1919

[MikeBlakeUK]

Apologies for the length of this post. It is an attempt to describe the last cavalry charge of the Revolution, working from some brief descriptions in Spanish I found on the internet, run through Google Translate and then 'polished' into better English. The problem is both Google and I can get military terms wrong!

If anyone can help with more information about this incident I'd be grateful to hear from them. Thanks

Mike B

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6 May 1920. General Joaquin Mucel, Director of the Military School, was called to the Ministry of War and Navy, where he received instructions from General Francisco L Urquizo to assemble the staff and tell them of the government’s decision to move to the State of Veracruz. General Mucel instructed Colonel Rodolfo Casillas, Director of the School of Cavalry of the Military College, to arrange for the students to form part of the protective escort with other troops loyal to President Carranza.

7th May 1920. With the president and government officials on board a train the Cavalry School students were given the mission of protecting the departure. Attacks on the convoy began even before it reached Santa Clara. General Mucel ordered the attackers to be fired on to keep them getting too close to the train or in a position to obstruct the track. The attacks continued in Cerro Gordo but the train continued its journey.
Before reaching Irolo, Hidalgo, attacking forces inflicted losses on the convoy striking in a cavalry charge on an outpost commanded by General Murguia.

9 May 1920. General Mucel continued the journey to Apizaco, where General Urquizo, Director of the Military School, and Colonel Rodolfo Casillas, Commander of the Cavalry School, who travelled with his staff in the last car of the train, were presented to President Carranza. After the president reviewed their loyal forces, they were integrated with those of General Pilar R Sanchez, from Puebla, and General Margarito Puente, from Tlaxcala to become the ‘General Ignacio Allende Regiment’.

The convoy was in Apizaco stockpiling supplies when information was received that enemy forces were advancing towards them and the trains continued to San Marcos. Cavalry School cadets and some of General Margarito Puente mounted troops were ordered to act as rearguard.
A short distance from Apizaco, Obregonista forces of infantry and cavalry, under the command of Generals Maximo Rojas and Reyes Marquez, attacked the presidential train. Military College staff fired on them and in the midst of the confrontation Colonel Rodolfo Casillas ordered his cavalry to attack the enemy flank to help take pressure off the infantry and students on board.

The rapid approach of the enemy meant there was no time for the Cavalry School cadets and troopers to deploy and fight on foot; nor was it sensible for a mounted attack to be made firing their carbines.

Instead the combined force of Cavalry School students and regular troopers formed ‘lines of foragers’, drew sabres and charged their enemy. The impetuous charge proved unstoppable, broke the Obregonistas attack and enabled the presidential trains to escape.

The charge carried the cavalry too far in pursuit of their retreating enemy and they were caught in a fierce crossfire. More mounted troopers, under General Pilar Sanchez, reinforced them and the Obregonistas were driven off. The pursuit of the enemy was halted, the Carrancista cavalry regrouped on the battlefield and rejoined the presidential convoy as it was getting dark and it would be dangerous for it to continue without escort. The gallant mounted sabre charge was the last such exploit in Mexican military history.

Before the convoy reached Veracruz the garrison turned against Carranza. He turned north with his escort and tried to reach General Mariel who was still loyal. The General entrusted him to the care of a recently reformed bandit called Rudolfo Herrero, who, until the spring of 1920 had been fighting against Carranza. Herrero took Carranza to the town of Villa Juarez for safety.

[MikeBlakeUK]

There is a site (http://www.cultura.gob.mx/centenario-ej ... _carga.php) which has a fascinating series of photos of a re-enactment of the Last Charge.The only issue with them is the uniforms they show – incredibly neat and clean and not matching anything which seems to me to be in any way likely to be authentic for 1919. The only exception to that is the cavalry who appear to be wearing a very pale grey/off-white uniform? That said, the shots of the riders thundering across the ground are really rather exciting.

The cadets are carrying a maroon and gold flag which looks very much like the modern one – does anyone know if it was different in 1919?

Mike

[Pat Holscher]

This is an interesting thread, but I'm thinking that it might belong in the general forum. So, later today, unless somebody strongly objects, I'm going to move it over to there where it will get a little more readership.

[MikeBlakeUK]

Thanks Pat, especially if it will elict a reponse.