Battle of La Bolsa

In 1859 and early 1860 a series of raids on Texas settlements led by Juan N. Cortina (1824-1894) led to skirmishes with companies of Texas Rangers and U.S. soldiers. These conflicts became known as the Cortina Wars. On February 4, 1860, a battle occurred at La Bolsa Bend (ca. 1 mi. S.) between Cortina's raiders and Capt. John S. "Rip" Ford's Texas Rangers. The Rangers successfully defended the riverboat "Ranchero", traveling downstream from Rio Grande City, from an attack by Cortina's band. Cortina escaped into Mexico and later became a general in the Mexican Army. (1991)

Battle of La Bolsa is a historical marker in Progreso, Hidalgo County, dedicated in 1991. It is one of 138 historical markers documented in Hidalgo County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 221 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 26.0845, -97.8678 near Progreso. The nearest cataloged historic site is Zacatal Ranch (cemetery), about 0.6 miles away. Others within a short drive include El Horcon Tract and Rio Rico, Relampago Ranch, and Relampago.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5215000323. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.