Manuela Medina
Captain in the Mexican War of Independence under José María Morelos.
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Manuela Medina, a Native American from Texcoco, fought in the front lines of Mexico’s war for independence. She first recruited fighters for the priest and patriot José María Morelos, then commanded troops in battle. Even after Morelos was captured and killed, she kept fighting. In 1820 she was wounded in combat, leaving her paralyzed, and she died from those injuries on March 2, 1822.
Biography
Manuela Medina, also called Maria Manuela Molina, was born in 1780 in Texcoco and was a Native American. She fought for Mexican independence under the former priest José María Morelos. Her service began as a recruiter for the rebel side, and she later rose to become an officer. Medina made history as the first rebel captain to lead troops directly into royalist gunfire, and she defeated them.
She took part in capturing Acapulco and in the Siege of Cuautla. Her combat record includes actions in Guerrero, Michoacan, and Tixtla, and during the spring of 1812 she fought at Citlalli, Tehuacan, Orizaba, and Oaxaca. On 13 April 1813 she was at the second battle of Acapulco, and on 20 August she fought at the Battle of San Diego. From winter 1813 she was in Valladolid, and on 24 February 1814 she fought at Rancho de las Animas.
Even after Morelos was captured and executed in November 1815, she kept serving. In September 1820, lances struck her in the back and stomach, leaving her paralyzed. She died from those wounds on 2 March 1822 at age 42.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Manuela Medina born?
Manuela Medina was born in 1780 in Taxco.
What did Manuela Medina do?
Manuela Medina was an Insurgent.
More in People of the Mexican War of Independence
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Manuela Medina (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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