Tanorori's Raid occurred when a force of about 350 Opata volunteers, under the command of Colonle Refugio Tánori, attacked the ranching community of San Rafael, Arizona.

After the Disaster of La Pasión, Republicans lost favor throughout Sonora with large riots in support of the Second Mexican Empire across the state.

[1] The main Republican leader in Sonora, Ignacio Pesqueira took his men across the US-Mexico border and headed to Fort Mason in Arizona.

[2][3][4] Days after Pesquiera arrived, 15 members of the Cavalry Battalion deserted with 30 horses, Colt Army Model 1860 pistols, and Sharps rifles.

Colonel Lewis established an outpost at an abandoned mine and sent a detachment of 24 men from Company D of the 1st California Cavalry Battalion, to patrol the border.

[2] On the 24th of November Tanori's and 350 Opata Volunteers crossed the border and attacked the community of San Rafael, opening firing on some of the ranchers and wounding one.