Following the retreat of Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla and an army of insurgents to the north of Mexico after their defeat at the Battle of Calderón Bridge on 16 March 1811, a meeting of the rebel leaders was convened in Saltillo, Coahuila.

The meeting was convened for the purpose of naming a leader to coordinate the rebel forces from a base in the north with the end goal of achieving Mexican independence.

Eventually, Ignacio López Rayón was named supreme chief of insurgent forces and José María Liceaga [es] his second in command.

After hearing news of the capture of insurgent commanders in Acatita de Baján [es], López Rayón left Coahuila on 26 March and made way with his forces to Zacatecas.

His march to Zacatecas was pursued by the Royalist army of José Manuel Ochoa who López Rayón defeated at the Battle of Puerto de Piñones.