Apache Campaign (1732)

Apache campaign (1732)
Part of the Apache-Spanish Wars
Date 22 October-22 December 1732 Location Spanish Texas, Viceroyalty of New Spain Result Spanish victory
Belligerents
Spain	Lipan Apaches Natagé Apaches
Commanders and leaders
Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos	Unknown
Strength
157-160 Spanish soldiers 60 auxiliary natives 900 horses and mules[1][2]	700 warriors[2][3]
Casualties and losses
1 killed 7 wounded 20 horses stolen[4]	200-300 killed 30-38 captured 700 horses and 100 mules captured[2][5][4]

The Apache Campaign of 1732 was a Spanish punitive expedition against the Lipan and Natagé Apaches in response to a wave of raids upon the Spanish provice of Texas which had begun in 1731 after a period of peace. The campaign was authorized by the viceroy of New Spain, the Marquis of Casa Fuerte, following the advice of captain Fernando Pérez de Almazán, governor of San Antonio de Béjar.^[1] The then governor of the province, Juan Antonio Bustillo y Ceballos, led a force of about 160 cavalry soldiers, 60 auxiliary natives from the Texas missions and a large horse herd which left San Antonio de Béjar on 22 October, advancing northwards to the San Gabriel River, where they expected a contingent of Allied Teyas natives which failed to show.^[1]

Resuming the march on 1 November, the expedition followed the Little River, then crossed the Colorado and entered the Apacheria.^[2] An Indian scout spotted four Apache rancherías numbering some 400 tipis by the side of San Sabá River on 8 December.^[2] Leaving behind the herd and the baggage, Bustillo proceeded to attack the Apache camps with 100 soldiers the next day at morning. After a five-hour battle where the Spanish proved superior thanks to their leather protections and muskets, the Apaches fled from their camps, leaving behind 30 captives and a large horse herd. The Spanish expedition then returned to San Antonio with the booty, harassed by the Apaches along the march, finally arriving on 22 December.^[6]