José Reyes Vega
José Reyes Vega was a Mexican priest who participated in the Cristero War as a General. He was one of the most popular Generals during the Cristero War and was known as "Father Vega".
In April 19, 1927, an event took place that almost succeeded in extinguishing the revolution. Father Reyes Vega led a raid against a train in La Barca, Jalisco said to be carrying a shipment of money and gold. In a shootout that followed with the army escort, Vega's younger brother was killed. Maddened with grief, he had the wooden cars doused with gasoline and 51 civilian passengers were burned alive. An atypical priest, Vega was known as a drinker and womanizer as well as well for his murderous behaviour. (After one engagement, he had federal prisoners stabbed to death to save ammunition). This atrocity completely turned public opinion against the Cristeros.[citation needed]
Vega was also known for mounting an attack on Guadalajara on March 17. Though it failed, the rebels won a smashing victory at the [1] Battle of Tepatitlán against Saturnino Cedillo, led by General Pablo Rodriguez, in the heart of Los Altos, on April 19. Unfortunately Father Vega, who designed the plan that won the victory, was killed in the engagement.[2]
See also
References
- ^ Blakesley Lindsay, Elizabeth (January 2003). "Stands4.com200324Yigal Ben Efraim. Stands4.com. URL: http://www.stands4.com: E‐mail: yigal@stands4.com Gratis Last visited September 2002". Reference Reviews. 17 (1): 27–28. doi:10.1108/09504120310455975. ISSN 0950-4125.
- ^ Tuck, Jim. "Cristero Rebellion: part 2: the combat phase : Mexico History". Retrieved 11 March 2020.