Ángel Martínez (general)

Early military career

Born in 1837 in the state of Jalisco, his birthplace is disputed between Arandas and Ayo el Chico. He settled in Tepic as a youth and began his military service on September 2, 1856, as a sergeant in the National Guard.

Serving under Colonel Ramón Corona against Manuel Lozada, he was promoted to second lieutenant on October 26, 1858, lieutenant on November 12, 1859, and captain on October 20, 1862. On that date he organized his own guerrilla force to fight the Second French intervention and the Second Mexican Empire. He became a major on August 20, 1863, commanding the Ramírez Squadron, then lieutenant colonel in August 1864, colonel on November 25, and general brigadier on March 1, 1865, taking command of the 3rd Western Brigade.

Service in the North

General Corona ordered Martínez to operate in northern Sinaloa and the south of the state. He liberated El Fuerte from imperialist forces and advanced into Sonora. On January 7, 1866, he captured the Plaza of Álamos with a cavalry charge that broke the Empire's defenders. He was known as a brave, active, and inhuman leader who brought ruthless warfare to Sonora, showing no mercy and executing enemies on the spot.

His chinaco cavalry, armed with machetes, became known as los macheteros and won decisive victories. After recovering Álamos, he gathered resources from the Río Mayo and Rosario region under Colonels Alcántara and Correa, who won the battles of Bayájorit and Movas but retreated to the Rio Fuerte when a Native American revolt broke out. Martínez subdued the revolt and returned to Álamos.

Recognition and exile

Appointed chief of the I Division of the Western Army Corps, he sent Colonel Dávalos by sea with supplies and joined General Corona's forces in November. His service record credits him with more than 50 war actions during the Reform War and the Second French Intervention. Governor Pesqueira issued a circular on October 1, 1866, regarding his performance. In Mazatlán, he became Chief of the Arms of Sinaloa until 1868.

After an unsuccessful candidacy for state governor, he ignored the local legislature and briefly exercised executive power but was defeated at Villa Unión by General Corona. He then took thirty thousand pesos from the Mazatlán customs office, left half with a trusted friend, and sailed for San Francisco, California. There he paid for his education, as he barely knew how to sign. During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, he joined the Prussian Army out of hatred for the French and entered Paris in January 1871.

After Juárez's death, President Lerdo granted amnesty, allowing him to return to Sinaloa. He collected deposits and moved to Colima, buying the Paso de Río hacienda.

Later career

In 1873 he was elected federal deputy for a Colima district, and in 1875 senator for the state. He rejoined the Mexican Army in 1876, defending Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada's government against the Plan of Tuxtepec and briefly holding the government of San Luis Potosí. He operated in Jalisco and Michoacán, recognized José María Iglesias as interim president, and escorted him to Manzanillo. After traveling abroad, he returned to Colima in 1878.

He served again as senator from 1880 to 1904, with brief military commissions. In 1885 he led the 1st Military Zone in Sonora during the Yaqui Wars, apprehending and ordering the execution of Cajemé, temporarily restoring order. Promoted to the 5th Military Zone in Matamoros in January 1889, he retired from the Army on June 18, 1889. He died in Colima on May 22, 1904.