Magdalena Affair

The Magdalena Affair occurred when thirty men from a California Volunteer cavalry unit based at Fort Mason rode into Magdalena, Sonora to recover fifteen deserters and stolen property.

Magdalena Affair
Part of Second French intervention in Mexico
Date September 12, 1865 Location Magdalena de Kino, Sonora Mexico Result Imperialists Victory
Belligerents
United States	Second Mexican Empire
Commanders and leaders
Captain Pico Captain Jimeno Lt. William Emery	Jose Moreno
Units involved
1st California Cavalry Battalion (Co.A)	Local militants
Strength
2 Captains 1 1st lieutenant from the 7th 30 Californios	250 Mexican Imperialists
Casualties and losses
None	None
None of the deserters or 30 horses were captured with the pistols and carbines being sold by Moreno's men

Background

In early September, 15 members of Companies A&B of the 1st California Cavalry Battalion left Fort Mason with 30 horses and "numerous" pistols and carbines. The deserters headed to Magdalena, Sonora. When news of the deserter's location reached the California Volunteers, Captain Pico with Jimeno and Lt. William Emery of the 7th and 30 cavalrymen were sent to recover the deserters and the stolen property.

The Affair

The detachment crossed the border in a two-day ride that brought them outside of the Sonoran town on the 12th. When they arrived, Captain Pico sent Emery forward to talk to the Imperialist forces. Pico grew impatient with the delay and sent 8-10 men to rush right into town. Stopping in front of Moreno's office. Pico demanded to have the deserters and stolen property brought in front of him, as well as safe return across the border. During the ensuing heated dispute, Pico declared that as an officer of the United States Army, he did not recognize their government. A crowd of townsfolk assembled in the plaza cheered on the Native Californian. Moreno thought that Pico was there to start a battle. Moreno sent 10-20 cavalrymen to line up across from the Californios and sent for an infantry detachment estimated to be around 250 in total and mostly armed with out of date flint-lock muskets. They flew a sun-bleached Mexican flag with eagle and a crown on top of it that was clearly added later. "A single gun fired at this moment would have started a general fight." The Imperialists refused all demands from Pico saying that they would need to hear from their French officers in Hermosillo first, which was eight days away. In the meantime Pico ordered all but six of his troopers back. Later the Imperialists refused to return the stolen goods or the deserters and demanded the Californians leave the town in eight hours and the state in 48. Members of the Imperialist crowd made remarks about how they wanted to take them take them prisoner, "...and at one time I did think they would try to take us." As tensions eased the Californios were treated to a nice dinner and talked with the locals. When the meal was finished the cavalrymen left Magdalena and headed up north to the border unable to recover deserters or stolen property.

Aftermath

When the Californios were returning north they encountered a party of 5 Apaches and chased them until they got to the rocky hills. Two horses fell down; one of them being Captain Pico's. Unfortunately when he fell his pistol accidentally discharged, missing him but the muzzle burnt him. Later they made it back to Fort Mason. Then the company got news that Moreno's men sold all of the stolen property. One of the participates remark after it was all over that "You may rest assured something will grow out of this affair."