Nicolas Pino
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Nicolas Pino (1819–1896) was a Mexican loyalist, civil and military leader who participated in planned resistance and rebellion against the U.S. occupation of New Mexico. Following the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, he swore allegiance to the United States and became a Union officer during American Civil War, rising to the rank of brigadier general on September 9, 1861.[1] He later served in the New Mexico Territorial legislature.[2]
The Pino brothers—Facundo, Miguel E. and Nicolas—were all influential in the affairs of Nuevo Mexico at the time of General Kearny's capture of Santa Fe. The Pino family members held prominent positions under the Mexican government and were reputed fighters of daring and courage. They raised companies and procured arms and ammunition in response to Governor Manuel Armijo's call for volunteers in preparation to resist Kearney at Apache Canyon, but were disgusted and dismayed when Armijo disbanded the forces and fled to Mexico. None of the Pinos immediately took Kearny's required oath of allegiance to the U.S. following the occupation, still considering themselves citizens of the Mexican republic. Soon after, they participated in meetings led by Don Diego Archuleta at a home near the military church, La Castrenza, in Santa Fe, where Pino's cousin, Tomas Ortiz, was elected as governor with Archuleta as commanding general. A rebellion was planned for December 19, 1846, and later postponed to Christmas Eve. Mexican loyalist emissaries were sent out to all nearest points demanding that the people take part in the uprising in Santa Fe upon the third bell for midnight mass (Spanish: Missa del Gallo), when all of the American officers would be captured. This plan fell through after it became known to Donaciano Vigil, by way of the proprietress of the city's largest gambling house, Tules Barcelona. Vigil informed General Sterling Price, of the Second Missouri Mounted Volunteers, who had a number of conspirators arrested, including Nicolas Pino. Ortiz escaped in the garb of a servant girl and fled to Chihuahua. Price stationed soldiers at the homes of every known revolutionist.[3]