 On March 14, the hosts of Tabscoob, estimated by Cortes to be 40,000 men, fought on the plains of Cintla against the Spaniards led by Hernán Cortés.The Battle of Centla ensued, which would be the first major battle of the Spanish conquistadors in what later became New Spain.The power of the Spaniards' firearms and the surprise and fear caused by the appearance of the cavalry (since the natives had never seen horses and thought that animal and rider were one) eventually gave victory to the Spanish army of over 410 soldiers.