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This was the second battle in the Mexican-American war, after the
Battle of Palo Alto
had been fought the day prior, on May 8, 1846.
On May 9, Taylor pursued the retreating Mexican army, arriving around 2 PM at a dry riverbed five miles
from Palo Alto, known as Resaca de la Palma.
Here, the Mexican army had established strong defensive positions, with narrow ponds and thick chaparral
protecting their flanks,
and the ravine's banks serving as natural breastworks.
Taylor deployed his flying artillery, after Major Ringgold's death yesterday now under Lt. Randolph Ridgely,
but Mexican battery fire halted their advance.
Captain Charles A. May's dragoons were sent to support Ridgely, successfully overrunning the Mexican guns.
However, infantry fire from the thickets caught the dragoons in a crossfire during their withdrawal, allowing
Mexican forces to temporarily recapture their artillery before American infantry finally secured the pieces.
The dense chaparral limited Taylor's artillery effectiveness, transforming the battle into primarily an
infantry engagement characterized by small-unit actions and close-quarters combat.
The Mexican forces eventually broke and retreated toward Matamoros. Many Mexican soldiers drowned attempting
to cross the Rio Grande, while others fell to Fort Texas's guns during their retreat.
Mexican casualties officially numbered 547, though the actual count may have been higher. American losses
were 33 killed and 89 wounded.
Fort Texas, which had previously withstood a two-day Mexican siege beginning May 3 with only two casualties,
was later renamed Fort Brown after its fallen commander.
Taylor's forces, despite their momentum, couldn't capitalize on the Mexican army's disorganized retreat.
His failure to prepare river crossing equipment, despite earlier recommendations from his West Point
officers, delayed his crossing until May 18 when boats arrived from Point Isabel. By then, Arista's army
had withdrawn inland to regroup.
And here is the map
BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA
Click map to enlarge
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