Brazito Battlefield

Doniphan's men had halted for the day and he and his officers were playing three-card loo under a mesquite when a Mexican scouting party's dust cloud appeared. A demand to surrender was carried in by a messenger; Doniphan restrained his men from shooting the bearer and answered with a challenge to charge. His Missouri volunteers held their fire until the attackers were about fifty yards off, and the Mexican force broke, leaving its howitzer. No Americans were killed and seven were wounded. In El Paso two days later the regiment seized powder, arms and artillery.

What the plaque says

Official Scenic Historic Marker Brazito Battlefield One of the few battles of the Mexican War to be fought in New Mexico occured near here on Christmas Day, 1846. U.S. troops under Colonel Alexander W. Doniphan defeated a Mexican army commanded by General Antonio Ponce de León. Two days later, Doniphan entered El Paso without opposition.

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Mesilla Plaza — 22 mi
  A plaza laid out in 1848 by people who meant to stay in Mexico, American six years later, a stage stop and Civil War headquarters, and scene of a deadly political riot in 1871.

More markers nearby

• Oñate's Route / El Camino Real — steps away
• Butterfield Trail / Espejo's Expedition — steps away
• Paraje de los Brazitos — 9.2 mi
• El Paso del Rio del Norte — 15 mi