Tanori's Raid

Tanori's Raid
Part of Second French intervention in Mexico
Date November 24, 1865 Location San Rafael, Arizona 31°44′14″N 112°1′27″W Result American victory Imperialist were unable to capture Ignacio Pesqueira
Belligerents
United States	Second Mexican Empire
Commanders and leaders
MajorJohn C. Cremony 1st Lt. Edmund W. Coddington	Colonel Refugio Tánori
Units involved
1st California Cavalry Battalion (Co.C&D)	Opata volunteers
Strength
~150	350
Casualties and losses
none	none
1 American citizen wounded

Tanororis Raid occurred when a force of about 350 Opata volunteers, under the command of Colonle Refugio Tánori, attacked the ranching community of San Rafael, Arizona. The raid was an attempt to capture Sonora Governor Ignacio Pesqueira.

Background

After the Disaster of La Pasión, Republicans lost favor throughout Sonora with large riots in support of the Second Mexican Empire across the state. The uprising was started by indigenous then the violence reached major cities. The main Republican leader in Sonora, Ignacio Pesqueira took his men across the US-Mexico border and headed to Fort Mason in Arizona. Pesquiera went to talk to Colonel Lewis to ask for refuge.

"Colonel Lewis replied that he and his officers would do themselves the honor to wait on the Governor of Sonora, which accordingly they did, and offered the protection and hospitality of the post." - Sergeant Robarts, Company D, 1st California Cavalry Battalion.

Pesquiera camped with his entourage outside of the fort before moving to Calabasas. He then moved on to Tubac where he could gather financial resources and recruits for a new army. Days after Pesquiera arrived, 15 members of the Cavalry Battalion deserted with 30 horses, Colt Army Model 1860 pistols, and Sharps rifles. Others of the Battalion were sent to recover the deserters and stolen property. Soon they rode across the border into Magdalena de Kino, starting the Magdalena Affair. After the Affair many locals of Sonora felt insulted that the Americans had invaded their land and for Pico's belligerent behavior. In response to the Americans actions in Magdalena, a buildup of French and Imperialist troops begin near the border. Colonel Lewis established an outpost at an abandoned mine and sent a detachment of 24 men from Company D of the 1st California Cavalry Battalion, to patrol the border. Tanori's army was moving around the area.

The Raid

on the 24th of November Tanori's and his 350 Opata Volunteers crossed the border and attacked the community of San Rafael opening firing at some of the ranchers wounding one. When Major Cremony got the news of the attack, he ordered the 1st California Cavalry Battalion to find the raiders. Quickly assembling companies C and D to ride across the Patagonia Mountains and soon reaching San Rafael early the next morning. Finding the wounded American but no sign of Tanori's men. Major heard that Tanori's left San Rafael after hearing of the Battalions movements, also told that they were headed down south. So the 2 companies crossed the United States-Mexico border and entered the outskirts of the town of Santa Cruz, Sonora. Where they learned that Tanori's command had retreated even farther south back into Sonora. The major ordered 1st Lt. Edmund W. Coddington of Company D and 10 Californios to be sent before both companies and make contact with the Imperialist. They chased them but the Imperialist where always ahead of the californios. The ride went as far down as Imuris, where the Californios found that Tanori and his Volunteers had disappeared. After riding 40 miles the 11 men turn around and head back back up to rest in Santa Cruz. Failing to catch them or have an engagement with the .

Aftermath

After resting a for sometime in Santa Cruz, the companies headed back to Fort Mason, where they reach it on November 30. When Tanori's Raid happened many French regulars had largely pull out of Sonora. Many believing that the whole point of the raid was to capture Pesquiera. Unknown to Tanori, Pesquiera with his allies had raised a little army to fight Imperialist control in state. Although the war would still rage on the Imperialists would never threaten the Arizona Territory.