Manuel Antonio Chaves
Manuel Antonio Chaves | |
|---|---|
Major Manuel Antonio Chaves | |
| Born | October 18, 1818 Albuquerque, New Spain (Spanish Empire) |
| Died | January 1889 San Mateo, New Mexico Territory (now Cibola County, New Mexico, U.S.) |
| Allegiance | Mexico United States Union |
| Service | Militia (Mexico) United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1839–1846 (Mexico) 1847–1848, 1861–1865 (USA) |
| Rank | Lt. Colonel, USV |
| Battles / wars | Revolt of 1837 Mexican–American War |
Manuel Antonio Chaves or Chávez (October 18, 1818? – January, 1889), known as El Leoncito (the little lion), was a soldier in the Mexican Army and then became a rancher who lived in New Mexico. His life was full of incident, and his courage and marksmanship became literally legendary in his own time. In documented history, as an American soldier he helped win the American Civil War Battle of Glorieta Pass and was in command during an important fight in the Navajo Wars. As a Mexican soldier he probably negotiated the surrender of a large part of the Texan Santa Fe Expedition.