Marker Inscription
Dec. 27, 1859 Crushing defeat for partisan leader Juan Cortina who in late 1859 laid waste the lower Rio Grande Valley. Cortina's band of 450 were surprised here at daybreak by Maj. S. B. Heintzelman with U.S. Army troops, joined by Texas Rangers recruited by John S. ("Rip") Ford. Cortina fled to Mexico by horseback. Many of his men jumped into the Rio Grande. Regarrisoning of Ringgold barracks put end to partisan raids for a time. But with the American Civil War (1861-1865) and Cortina's rise to power in Tamaulipas, raids were renewed — until Cortina was removed, 1875. (1970)
About this site
Site of Cortina Battle is a historical marker in Rio Grande City, Starr County, dedicated in 1970. It is one of 28 historical markers documented in Starr County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 134 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 26.3789, -98.8203 near Rio Grande City. The nearest cataloged historic site is Rio Grande City, C.S.A. (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Starr County, Yzaguirre-Longoria House, and Mifflin Kenedy Warehouse & Old Starr County Courthouse.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5427004762. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
