We present you some biographical data of Gral. Zaragoza who, commanded by the Army of the East, and supported by indigenous Zacapoaxtlas, defeated the French enemy in the famous Battle of May 5.
-Ignacio Zaragoza, was born in Texas (then province of Mexico) in 1829.
-He studied in the city of Matamoros and in Monterrey. Later, he entered the National Guards starting a brilliant military career.
-During his first years in the army, Zaragoza openly declared himself in favor of the Liberals, defending the cities of Saltillo and Monterrey against Gral. Santa Anna. Later, a supporter of the Constitution of 1857, he took part in important battles such as that of Calpulalpan, which ended the Reform War (1860).
-In 1862, in command of the so-called Eastern Army fought the French army in Acultzingo and days later, he repulsed the invader outside of Puebla (in the famous Battle of May 5th) thus obtaining an unexpected triumph given the conditions of his troops and the small number of combatants. This event marked his most notable victory.
-A few months after his triumph in the city of Puebla, on September 8, Ignacio Zaragoza died in that same capital at the age of 33 years. For his exploits, General Zaragoza was declared as Meritorious of the Homeland.
