In 1859 and early 1860, a series of raids on Texas settlements led by Juan N. Cortina led to skirmishes with companies of Texas Rangers and U.S. soldiers, conflicts that became known as the Cortina Wars. On February 4, 1860, a battle occurred at La Bolsa Bend, about 1 mile south, between Cortina's Raiders and Capt. John S. "RIP" Ford's Texas Rangers. The Rangers successfully defended the riverboat Ranchero, traveling downstream from Rio Grande City, from an attack by Cortina's band. Cortina escaped into Mexico and later became a general in the Mexican Army.