A U.S. Army engagement near Brownsville that ended organized resistance during the First Cortina War.
Key Facts
- Date
- December 13, 1859
- Location
- La Ebonal ranch, near Brownsville, Texas
- U.S. Commander
- Major Samuel P. Heintzelman
- Rebel Leader
- Juan Cortina (Cortinistas)
- Duration
- A few hours
- Conflict Context
- First Cortina War, following Brownsville Raid of Sept. 28
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
After Juan Cortina's Brownsville Raid on September 28, 1859, and subsequent skirmishes with Texas Rangers, Cortina retreated with his forces into the hills outside Brownsville, entrenching near a series of cattle ranches. The U.S. Army dispatched an expedition under Major Samuel P. Heintzelman to suppress the rebellion and restore order to the region.
On December 13, 1859, U.S. Army forces under Heintzelman engaged Cortina's rebel band at a ranch called La Ebonal. The battle lasted only a few hours, during which American troops routed the Cortinistas and pursued them as they retreated from the position.
The American victory at La Ebonal effectively broke the organized military resistance of Cortina's forces, dispersing the Cortinistas and bringing the active fighting phase of the First Cortina War near its close, though Cortina himself evaded capture and continued to be a contentious figure along the Texas-Mexico border.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Major Samuel P. Heintzelman.
Side B
1 belligerent
Juan Cortina.