Original CDV of the Mexican outlaw, Juan Nepomuceno Cortina Goseacochea (May 1824-Oct. 1894). The image was taken in the 1860s. He was a rancher, poitician, military leader, outlaw, and Mexican folk hero. As governor, he essentially controlled the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
He hated the Anglo-American settlements on the Mexican borderlands and targeted the civilians in a failed "Cortina War" with militia he raised. The Texas Rangers, U.S. Army and locals from the Brownsville area easily defeated his militia in 1848.
In his second Cortina War in 1861, he joined Federal troops in the Civil War. He was SOUNDLY defeated by Confederate Capt. Santos Benavidos at the battle of Carrizo. He retreated back into Mexico. He did however, conduct guerrilla warfare against Texas for years to come. After the Civil War, the Yankee carpet Bag government during occupation by the U.S. Gov. rewarded Cortina for his support during the War.
During the Mexican Revolution he opposed President Diaz. Diaz had him arrested twice after he tried to raise an army against Diaz. Diaz ordered him to be executed. However, he was imprisoned, released under house arrest in 1890 and died on October, 1894.
Although The union Army protected him until after reconstruction, he was no hero in Texas. He was simply considered a murderer and outlaw.
