June 23, 1914 · Zacatecas, Central Mexico Theater
June 23, 1914
Defying orders from Carranza to halt his advance, Villa launched a massive assault on Zacatecas with 23,000 men — the largest battle of the entire Mexican Revolution. The federal garrison of 12,000 men was annihilated in a single day of fighting. More than 6,000 federal soldiers were killed, thousands captured, and the División del Norte suffered approximately 3,000 casualties. Zacatecas fell in less than eight hours of fighting. The road to Mexico City was open, but Carranza — fearing Villa's political power — refused to supply him with coal for the trains.
Commanders