The Battle of the Florida Mountains
Date: August 21, 1861
Location: Florida Mountains, Confederate-occupied New Mexico Territory
*Unfortunately, the actual date(s) of the Battle of the Florida Mountains are not known, but most historians agree that it took place sometime in mid-August, with August 21st being an estimated guess.
Days earlier, when the Battle of Cookes Canyon first began, the last wagon in the wagon train to enter the canyon was able to quickly flee, narrowly escaping capture by the Apaches, and sped off towards the Confederate forces stationed at Pinos Altos.
Eventually having reached Pinos Altos, the wagon's occupants alerted the Confederates, under the command of Captain Thomas J. Mastin, of the battle that was unfolding at Cookes Canyon. Mastin guessed that the Apaches would likely capture the over one thousand heads of livestock and proceed toward safety in the Florida Mountains. On this hunch, Mastin and his soldiers rode towards the Florida Mountains, where they hoped they would intercept and ambush the Apaches.
Arriving there the next day, the Confederates set up the ambush in a pass through the mountains but didn't have to wait long. Mastin had guessed correctly, and his scouts soon reported the arrival of the Apache warriors and their captured livestock.
As the Apaches entered the pass, the Confederates sprang the trap and fired down into the column of Apaches.
The surprised Apaches fought back and retreated, leaving behind the livestock they had captured at Cookes Canyon. Mastin ordered a pursuit, and followed the Apaches back to Cookes Canyon, where a small skirmish occurred. The Apaches fell back from Cookes Canyon and retreated across the Mexican border to regroup.
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