Otumba de Gómez Farías México Mexico

The Aztecs pursue and harass the Spanish, who, guided by their Tlaxcalan allies, move around Lake Zumpango toward sanctuary in Tlaxcala.

On July 14, 1520, the Aztecs attempt to destroy the Spanish for good at the battle of Otumba.

Although hard-pressed, the Spanish infantry is able to hold off the overwhelming numbers of enemy warriors, while the Spanish cavalry under the leadership of Cortés charges through the enemy ranks again and again.

The Aztecs had not encountered Castilians in battle, despite their long exposure to them during the Spaniards' time in Tenochtitlan.

They are unfamiliar with the use of troops mounted on horses as shock troops, and Are taken aback when mounted Spanish soldiers continually charge at them.

For all of their numbers, they are unprepared to endure cavalry charges.

Cortés has instructed his troops to strike primarily at the captains and leaders of their opponent.

Cortés himself recognizes the Aztec leader Matlatzincatl for his rich armor, headdress and flag.

He correctly assumes that defeating their leader and capturing their flag will result in the defeat of the Aztecs.

Cortés attacks the Aztec leader with his lance, and the rest of his captains break the ranks of the warriors around him.

Matlatzincatl is slain by Juan de Salamanca, who retrieves the Aztec battle-standard and delivers it to Cortés.

With their leader slain, the Aztec force diminish gradually, and the Tlaxcalan and Castilian warriors rout them.

In this retreat the Spaniards suffer heavy casualties, losing eight hundred and sixty soldiers, seventy-two other Spanish members of Cortes' group, including five women, and a thousand Tlaxcalan warriors.

Several Aztec noblemen loyal to Cortés, including Cacamatzin, and their families also perish, including Moctezuma's son and two daughters.

The Spanish soldier carrying smallpox also dies in the fighting.