CELAYA, BATTLE OF

(April 1915), decisive military engagement in the wars between revolutionary factions following the Mexican Revolution of 1911. One of the bloodiest battles in Mexican history, it was fought at Celaya, Gua najuato state, between the forces of lvaro Obregn and Pancho Villa. In the course of the civil wars, Venustiano Carranza and Villa had eclipsed the other revolutionary leaders, and Obregn supported Carranza. After two deadly assaults, Villa's cavalry, the most formidable contingent among the revolutionary armies, failed to capture Obregn's positions, which were protected by trenches, barbed wire, and machine guns. His forces decimated, Villa retreated northward, leaving Carranza in virtual control of Mexico, though he continued his bandit rebel activities in the north until Carranza was overthrown in 1920.