Battle of the Sacramento River The Battle of the Sacramento River took place on February 28 , 1847 during the Mexican – American War . About twenty - five miles north of Chihuahua , Mexico at the river Sacramento , American forces numbering less than 1 , 000 men defeated a superior Mexican army which led to the occupation of Chihuahua . Background . In early 1847 , Colonel Alexander Doniphan was heading south with his small army of about 1 , 000 men and officers , which included primarily infantry , cavalry and artillery . On February 8 , Doniphan left the town of El Paso del Norte to escort a merchant caravan of about 315 wagons to Chihuahua and on February 25 , the United States Army reached the Laguna de Encenillas when informed by spies that twenty - five miles in advance , a force of 1 , 500 Mexican soldiers held Inseneas , country - seat of the governor of Chihuahua . The American army continued and the Mexican garrison retreated without fighting . Continuing further , the Americans reached the Sacramento River . On February 27 , the Americans learned that the Sacramento River pass , about fifteen miles north of Chihuahua , had been fortified and defended by a larger Mexican force . At sunrise on February 28 , the last day of February , the Americans took up the line of march and formed the whole train , consisting of 315 heavy traders , wagons , a commissary and company of wagons , into four columns . Colonel Doniphan placed the artillery and all the operators in intervals between the columns of wagons . The cavalry was used as a shield to protect the artillery . When the Americans arrived within three miles of the Mexican defenses , they made a reconnaissance of the enemy positions and the arrangement of their cannons . Several redoubt s had been dug by the Mexicans . Protecting the 1 , 200 Mexican infantry and 1 , 420 militia , 1 , 200 Mexican cavalry men waited outside the fortified pass for orders to engage , sixteen cannons and culverin pieces were among the defenses . Battle . After opening hostilities with a salvo of cannon fire and followed by a Mexican salvo , the American army , supported by their own battery , attacked the right flank of the Mexican defenses , commanded by a General Heredia . The attack on the right meant that several of the Mexican artillery pieces on the left were out of range to suppress the American assault . The American artillery fire was effective , allowing their infantry to advance fast . Just outside of the Mexican ' s firing range , they stopped ahead of the enemy battery to prevent casualties from the cannons . Doniphan then ordered howitzers to the front . Protected by a force of mounted cavalry men , the howitzers charged and then were used to bombard and destroy the main Mexican battery on the right . Most of the American cavalry were dismounted and with the infantry , followed the howitzers forward . At a quick pace the Americans reached the walls of the Mexican redoubts on the right and quickly overran its defenders . As the Doniphan ' s troops moved right , the Mexican cavalry attacked the American left to try to flank the offenders themselves , but were repulsed . Now free to flank the left portion of the Mexican defenses , the United States Army finished the attack and captured the rest of the Mexican artillery and about 40 defenders in close quarters combat . The fighting lasted no more than an hour when the Mexicans began to retreat , bringing an end to the battle of the Sacramento . Aftermath . Unable to defend Chihuahua , the remaining Mexican units retreated south , leaving the city to American occupation . Almost 300 Mexicans were killed in the battle , as well as almost 300 wounded . Victims of the American artillery , Doniphan is said to have commented ; " " Our artillery was so effective that it blocked the sound of the Mexican guns . " " In the short engagement , the Doniphan ' s men suffered only two dead and eleven wounded . Sixteen artillery were captured .