Pedro Robledo, el Menor, Died at Acoma Pueblo

This is modern day Acoma Pueblo in New Mexico. Click on the image to make it larger.

One of my ancestors, Pedro Robledo Jr. (el menor)  was a member of the first battle between the Spaniards and the folks at Acoma on the 4th of December of 1598. Juan de Zaldivar was leading a group of Spanish soldiers through the area and stopped to acquire flour for the troops. The Acoma at first refused but the Spaniards persuaded them to grind the flour. The Acoma indicated it would take several days to grind the Amount that Zaldivar required.

When the time came to collect the flour the maese de campo Juan de Zaldivar ordered Lt. Bernabe de las Casas to keep 3 soldiers and guard the horses while he and others climbed to the top. At the pueblo he allowed his soldiers to break up into small groups to facilitate the gathering of the flour.

No sooner had they broken up into the small groups when they were attacked by the Indians, both men and women. Throwing rocks, war clubs and other objects from the elevated rooftops. At several points the Spaniards rallied and made gallant stands in frenzied hand to hand fighting. Juan de Zaldivar fought a group with his sword until he was killed with a terrible blow to the head.

On the plains below Lt. Bernabe de las Casas and the remaining horse guards heard the commotion of the battle. One of the Spanish servants escaped down the steep trail and brought news of many Spanish casualties. Casas looked up and saw two of the youngest soldiers, Juan de Olague and Pedro de Robledo had fought their way to the edge of the rock mesa. Once there, they had no chance but to continue fighting and die in the process or jump. They decided on jumping. Pedro Robledo struck the side of the rock mesa and died instantly. Juan de Olage landed on some sand blown against the cliff and survived.

That made 2 members of the Robledo family to die in New Mexico. Pedro Robledo Sr. on the 21st of May of 1598 near current day Radium Springs, New Mexico and Pedro Robledo Jr. on the 4th of December 1598 at Acoma Pueblo. A Heavy price for the Robledo family.

Some/most of the information is from the book The Last Conquistador by Marc Simmons.