Ignacia Reachy

Ignacia Reachy (1816–1866) was a soldier during the War of Intervention.

Biography Reachy was born in Guadalajara, Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1816. Reachy formed a women's battalion to help defend Guadalajara from the French during the War of Intervention (1861-1866). Soon after, Reachy left Guadalajara to join the Army of the East and many male officers gifted to her military gear and attire because she was considered a "valiant woman patriot". She was given riding boots by Colonel Antonio Rojas, a second lieutenant uniform by Colonel Gonzalez, and was put in the Second Division under the command of by Ignacio Zaragoza. On 28 April 1862, Reachy showed her true bravery; Reachy was captured by the French while trying to cover and protect the retreat of Arteaga. Reachy was imprisoned for a year, before escaping then going back to Arteaga for more orders. Reachy was made Commander of the Lancers of Jalisco until she was killed in battle in 1866.