Diego Archuleta
| Diego Archuleta | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1814 Alcalde, New Mexico |
| Died | 1884 Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Allegiance |
Mexico United States |
| Service/branch |
Mexican Army New Mexico Militia |
| Years of service | 1846–1848 (Mexico) 1862–1865 (USA) |
| Rank |
 Colonel (Mexico) Brigadier General (Militia) |
| Unit | 1st Infantry Regiment, New Mexico Militia |
| Commands held | 1st Division, New Mexico Militia |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Other work | New Mexico Territorial Legislative Assembly, Indian Agent |
Brigadier General Diego Archuleta (March 27, 1814 – 1884), was a member of the Mexican Congress. He joined the Mexican Army to fight against the United States in the Mexican American War. Later, he was appointed an Indian (Native Americans) Agent by President Abraham Lincoln, and joined the Union Army (US Army) during the American Civil War. Archuleta became the first Hispanic to reach the military rank of Brigadier General.
Archuleta was born in Alcalde, New Mexico, then a province of New Spain. He was the son of a prominent citizen, Juan Andres Archuleta. His family were wealthy ranchers and, as such, they had the economic means to send him to Durango, Mexico where he received his primary and secondary education. His education was intended to prepare him for the priesthood, toward which he attained the four minor orders, but he decided not to follow that vocation before leaving Durango.
Archuleta returned home in 1840 and was commissioned as captain of the militia. In this capacity, he commanded a body of troops and assisted in the capture of Texans during the Texan Santa Fe Expedition of 1841. In that year he also married Jesuita Trujillo, who later gave him seven children. In 1843 he was elected as a Deputy from New Mexico to the National Mexican Congress, serving there for two years. In recognition of his distinguished service as an officer of the Mexican army he was awarded the golden Cross of Honor for preserving the integrity of the Mexican territory.
Archuleta supported Mexico upon the outbreak of the Mexican-American War. The Mexican-American War was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas, which Mexico considered part of its territory despite the 1836 Texas Revolution. In 1846 and 1847, Archuleta participated and led two unsuccessful rebellions against the U.S.
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