Download & Print
December 9, 2022
Today in Texas History
By Bandera Spirits of Texas
On this day in 1729, Juan de Ugalde, soldier, governor and Indian fighter, was born in Cadiz, Spain. He joined the Spanish army in 1738.
He served against the Austrians in Italy, the Moors in Africa, and the Portuguese in the Seven Years War. In 1776 he was appointed governor of San Francisco de Coahuila. He conducted several campaigns against Apache groups along the Rio Grande.
In 1786 he was promoted to commander of arms of the Provincias Internas, with authority over Coahuila, Nuevo León, Nuevo Santander, and Texas. In 1790 he surprised and defeated 300 Lipan, Lipiyan and Mescalero Apaches at Arroyo de la Solidad (the Sabinal River Canyon.)
The battlefield was named Cañon de Ugalde; from it both the county and city of Uvalde take their name. Ugalde returned to Spain and died in Cadiz in 1816 at the age of 87.
He served against the Austrians in Italy, the Moors in Africa, and the Portuguese in the Seven Years War. In 1776 he was appointed governor of San Francisco de Coahuila. He conducted several campaigns against Apache groups along the Rio Grande.
In 1786 he was promoted to commander of arms of the Provincias Internas, with authority over Coahuila, Nuevo León, Nuevo Santander, and Texas. In 1790 he surprised and defeated 300 Lipan, Lipiyan and Mescalero Apaches at Arroyo de la Solidad (the Sabinal River Canyon.)
The battlefield was named Cañon de Ugalde; from it both the county and city of Uvalde take their name. Ugalde returned to Spain and died in Cadiz in 1816 at the age of 87.