A decisive Centralist victory in the Mexican Federalist War that ended the Federalist insurgent campaign and resulted in the capture and execution of commander José Antonio Mexía.
Key Facts
- Date
- 3 May 1839
- Centralist force size
- 1,600 soldiers
- Total casualties
- Over 600 killed on both sides
- Fate of Mexía
- Captured and executed
- Fate of Urrea
- Fled injured to Tampico
- Deciding factor
- Centralist cavalry reserve charge
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
During the Mexican Federalist War, Federalist insurgents under the joint command of José de Urrea and José Antonio Mexía mounted an armed challenge against the Centralist government, seeking to restore federalism in Mexico. The insurgent forces moved to engage the Centralist army in the Veracruz region, setting the stage for a direct military confrontation at Acajete.
On 3 May 1839, insurgent forces under Urrea and Mexía attacked 1,600 Centralist troops commanded by General Gabriel Valencia at Acajete, Veracruz. The Centralists repelled all insurgent charges and then shattered the opposing army with a decisive assault by their cavalry reserve, resulting in more than 600 deaths on both sides and the capture of several hundred insurgents.
The Centralist victory effectively crushed the Federalist insurgent campaign. Mexía was captured in the aftermath and subsequently executed, eliminating a key rebel leader. Urrea escaped wounded to Tampico. The defeat ended organized Federalist military resistance in that phase of the conflict, consolidating Centralist control.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
José de Urrea, José Antonio Mexía.
Side B
1 belligerent
Gabriel Valencia.