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Mexican-American War 1846 - 1848
The Mexican-American War is also called the
Mexican War or
Guerra de 1847, if you speak Spanish.
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Image Above:
U.S. General
Winfield Scott and his troops
entering Mexico City on September 14, 1847.
Lithograph with watercolor
Adolphe-Jean-Baptiste Bayot (1810 - after 1866)
The Mexican-American War in a Nutshell
This war was fought
April 25, 1846 - February 2, 1848. The U.S. won. Mexico lost
big.
After the U.S. annexation of Texas, the Mexican-American War began over disputes about the Texas-Mexico border.
Key events of the war included the U.S. capture of Mexico City, victories at Buena Vista and Cerro Gordo, and naval operations
in California.
Zachary Taylor was the U.S. commander during the early stages of the Mexican-American War. Later in the conflict,
General Winfield Scott took command of a separate campaign aimed at capturing Mexico City.
There were four top commanders of the Mexican Army during the Mexican-American War:
1 - Mariano Arista (April-May 1846)
2 - Pedro de Ampudia (May-September 1846)
3 - Santa Anna (Sept 1846-Sept 1847)
4 - Jose Joaquin de Herrera (Sept 1847-Feb 1848)
The war ended with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo (1848), where Mexico ceded roughly half its territory to the U.S.,
including California and parts of the present-day Southwest, for $15 million.
The war significantly expanded U.S. territory but intensified sectional tensions over slavery's expansion into new territories.
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In more detail:
What Triggered the
Mexican-American War?
Mexico viewed the
Nueces River as their boundary.
The
Americans begged to differ and rather saw the Rio Grande as their boundary.
When American
General Zachary Taylor
crossed the Nueces River and stationed his troops at Point Isabel,
Mexican General Mariano Arista and his troops crossed the Rio
Grande.
On April 25, 1846, the Mexicans ambushed a small U.S. recon unit, led by Captain Seth Thornton,
killing 11 U.S. soldiers.
Mexico Claimed the
Nueces River,
the United States the Rio Grande as their Boundary
CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE
War Declaration
The United States declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846.
The
reason?
The Thornton Ambush. In addition, Mexican troops stationed at Matamoros targeted Fort Brown.
(See map above)
President James Knox Polk declared this an
invasion of American soil.
Battles and Key Events of the Mexican-American War
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April 25/26, 1846
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:: Thornton's Ambush ::
At Rancho de Carricitos, a large Mexican force (1,600 cavalry and infantry troops) under General Anastasio Torrejón crossed
the Rio Grande and ambushed a U.S. Army patrol (80 dragoons) led by
Captain Seth Thornton. The incident took place in disputed
territory claimed by both Mexico and the United States.
The skirmish became
President James K. Polk's casus belli
for declaring war against Mexico on May 13, 1846.
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May 3-9, 1846
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:: Siege of Fort Texas ::
Mexican forces under General Mariano Arista bombarded the American fort (later renamed Fort Brown) while U.S. General Zachary
Taylor's main army was away. The fort's commander, Major Jacob Brown, was killed, but the garrison of 500 men held out until
Taylor's forces returned, forcing the Mexican army to withdraw.
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May 8, 1846
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:: Battle of Palo Alto ::
The Battle of Palo Alto was the first major battle of the Mexican-American War,
fought on May 8, 1846, near present-day Brownsville, Texas. U.S. forces under
Zachary Taylor (2,300 troops) defeated Mexican forces under Mariano Arista
(3,400 troops) using superior artillery.
The victory allowed Taylor's
army to advance and engage Mexican forces again the next day at Resaca de la Palma.
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May 9, 1846
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:: Battle of Resaca de la Palma ::
The Battle of Resaca de la Palma (May 9, 1846) was the second battle of the
Mexican-American War, following Palo Alto. U.S. forces under Zachary Taylor (1,700 troops)
defeated Mexican forces under Mariano Arista (4,000 troops) through aggressive cavalry
charges and infantry assaults. The battle resulted in 45 U.S. casualties and 500 Mexican
casualties.
The Mexican army retreated across the Rio Grande.
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May 18, 1846
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:: Occupation of Matamoros ::
U.S. forces under Taylor occupied Matamoros on May 18, 1846. The city remained under U.S. control
until the end of the war in 1848, when it was returned to Mexico as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
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June 14 - July 9, 1846
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:: Bear Flag Revolt ::
A group of American settlers staged an uprising against Mexican authorities in Sonoma, California, which was then part
of Mexican territory.
They seized control of the town, capturing the local Mexican military commander, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo,
declaring California an independent republic, and hoisting a flag with a grizzly bear looking at a red star on white ground.
On July 9, the bear flag was replaced by the American flag. California was claimed by the U.S.
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July 7, 1846
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:: Occupation of Monterey ::
U.S. Commodore John Drake Sloat occupied Monterey, California, without resistance, raising the
American flag and claiming California for the United States.
He arrived on his flagship USS Savannah with additional ships USS Cyane and USS Levant,
carrying a total force of about 225 men.
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July 9, 1846
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:: Occupation of Yerba Buena ::
On July 9, 1846, Commander John B. Montgomery of USS Portsmouth landed 70 marines and sailors at Yerba Buena (now San Francisco).
On July 10, they raised the American flag in the town plaza without resistance, bringing the settlement under U.S. control.
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July 14, 1846
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:: Occupation of Camargo ::
Advancing south following victories at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, approximately 1,500 U.S. troops under
the command of General Zachary Taylor, seized the town of Camargo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. They encountered no resistance,
as Mexican forces had already withdrawn.
However, the extreme heat and disease due to unsanitary conditions took a heavy toll on U.S. troops stationed there.
Camargo became a key logistics base for the U.S. Army, preparing for the invasion of Monterrey.
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August 18, 1846
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:: Occupation of Santa Fe ::
General Stephen W. Kearny led about 1,700 U.S. troops into Santa Fe, New Mexico, without facing resistance.
Governor Manuel Armijo and his Mexican forces had abandoned the city before the U.S. arrival. Kearny took control
peacefully, raised the U.S. flag, and proclaimed New Mexico a U.S. territory.
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September 21-24, 1846
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:: Battle of Monterrey ::
U.S. forces (ca. 6,700 troops) under General Zachary Taylor captured the fortified city of Monterrey, Mexico,
after intense urban combat.
The Mexican forces (ca. 7,300 troops), led by General Pedro de Ampudia, eventually negotiated a withdrawal.
The battle resulted in around
120 U.S. deaths and 400 Mexican casualties.
The victory secured American control of northeastern Mexico but was
controversial due to Taylor's lenient surrender terms, which allowed Mexican forces to retreat with their weapons.
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September 22-30, 1846
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:: Siege of Los Angeles ::
Mexican Californios under José María Flores revolted against the small U.S. garrison led by Captain
Archibald Gillespie. After a week of skirmishing and siege, Gillespie's force of about 50 marines evacuated
Los Angeles under negotiated terms. U.S. casualties were minimal, with only a few wounded.
This temporarily restored Mexican control of Los Angeles until U.S. forces retook the city in January 1847.
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September 26-27, 1846
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:: Battle (Skirmish) of Chino ::
This conflict represented a mix of civilian settlers and informal military/militia forces rather than regular army units:
Benjamin D. Wilson led a group of about 24 Americans who took refuge at Isaac Williams' Rancho Santa
Ana del Chino after learning of a Californio revolt against American rule in Los Angeles.
The initial Californio force was led by José del Carmen Lugo with about 20 men. They were reinforced
the next morning by 30 men under Serbulo Varela. The battle ended when the Californios set fire to the
ranch house's roof, forcing the Americans to surrender.
Only one death: Carlos Ballesteros (Californio side)
Several Americans were wounded, including Isaac Callaghan, William Skene, and Joseph Perdue.
Isaac Williams, the ranch owner, attempted to maintain neutrality and was later accused of betraying the Americans.
The Americans were taken prisoner but their lives were spared through intervention by either Varela or Ramon Carrillo (accounts differ).
The battle, while small, helped embolden Californio resistance and led to further conflicts at Dominguez Field, San Pascual,
and the San Gabriel River.
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October 7, 1846
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:: Battle of Dominguez Rancho ::
Californios defeated U.S. Marines near Los Angeles.
Notable for effective use of a single cannon by Californio forces.
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October 24-26, 1846
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:: First Battle of Tabasco ::
A U.S. naval expedition under Commodore Matthew C. Perry attempted to capture the port of
San Juan Bautista (modern-day Villahermosa, Tabasco) but withdrew after facing strong resistance
from Mexican forces.
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November 14, 1846
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:: Occupation of Tampico ::
U.S. Navy captured this strategic port without resistance after Mexican forces withdrew.
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November 16, 1846
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:: Occupation of Saltillo ::
General Worth's forces occupied Saltillo after Mexican forces retreated.
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November 16, 1846
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:: Battle of Natividad ::
Californios clashed with U.S. forces in Alta California near present-day Salinas.
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December 6, 1846
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:: Battle of San Pasqual ::
Bloodiest battle in California. Californio lancers (ca. 150) under Capitán Andrés Pico
defeated U.S. forces (ca. 100 dragoons and volunteers) under General Brigadier General
Stephen W. Kearny.
Casualties: U.S.: 19 killed, 15 wounded. Mexican: 1-2 killed, 12 wounded
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December 16, 1846
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:: Occupation of Tucson ::
Mormon Battalion occupied Tucson without resistance.
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December 25, 1846
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:: Battle of El Brazito ::
U.S. forces repelled Mexican attack in present-day New Mexico.
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Feb 22-23, 1847
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:: Battle of Buena Vista ::
U.S. forces under Zachary Taylor defeat a larger Mexican army led by
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna
. Despite being outnumbered
(4,800 Americans vs. 15,000 Mexicans), Taylor's forces held defensive positions in mountain passes near
Saltillo, Mexico. Santa Anna's troops nearly broke through but suffered heavy casualties from U.S. artillery.
The Mexican army retreated after two days, losing about 1,800 men compared to 650 U.S. casualties.
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March 9-29, 1847
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:: Siege of Veracruz ::
The Siege of Veracruz was a joint amphibious-land operation led by General Winfield Scott.
After landing 12,000 troops on March 9, American forces encircled the city and established siege batteries.
Navy ships under Commodore Matthew Perry provided additional bombardment. The intense artillery barrage
from both land and sea severely damaged the city's defenses and caused civilian casualties.
Mexican forces under General Juan Morales surrendered on March 29, yielding the city, five castles,
400 pieces of artillery, and 5,000 prisoners to American forces.
The fall of Veracruz gave Scott a secure supply base and staging area for his subsequent campaign
to capture Mexico City via the National Road.
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April 17-18, 1847
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:: Battle of Cerro Gordo ::
U.S. forces under Winfield Scott (8,500 troops) outflanked and decisively defeated Mexican forces
under Antonio López de Santa Anna (12,000 troops) at a mountain pass in Veracruz, Mexico.
U.S. casualties were around 400, while Mexican
forces suffered about 1,000 casualties and 3,000 captured.
The victory
opened the way for Scott's advance on Mexico City.
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June 16-17, 1847
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:: Second Battle of Tabasco ::
Perry led a second, larger assault on San Juan Bautista, sailing up the Grijalva River
with multiple warships and landing forces. After a short battle, the Mexican defenders
retreated, and the U.S. captured the city.
This secured American control over Tabasco
for the remainder of the war.
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August 18-20, 1847
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:: Battle of Contreras ::
Also called Battle of Padierna.
Location: South of Mexico City near San Ángel
U.S. forces (ca. 4,500 troops) under General Winfield Scott
outflanked and defeated Mexican forces (ca. 5,000 troops) under General Gabriel Valencia defending Mexico City.
The U.S. had 60 or their troops killed and wounded. The Mexicans had 700 killed, ca. 800 captured, and the
rest dispersed.
Aug 18: Initial Mexican artillery bombardment
Aug 19: U.S. forces executed night march to flank Mexican position
Aug 20: Decisive U.S. victory in 17-minute assault at dawn; 22 Mexican guns captured
For the U.S. forces, this battle opened the path to Mexico City
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August 20, 1847
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:: Battle of Churubusco ::
Major U.S. victory removing a significant obstacle to Mexico City.
The Battle of Churubusco immediately followed the Battle of Contreras.
U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott (8,000 troops) attacked Mexican positions at the
fortified Convent of San Mateo and the Puente (bridge) of Churubusco, defended by roughly
6,800 Mexican troops under Generals Manuel Rincón and Pedro María Anaya.
The battle began around noon when U.S. forces launched a frontal assault on the bridge
while simultaneously attempting to flank the Mexican positions.
The Mexican defenders, including the San Patricio Battalion (Irish-American deserters),
put up fierce resistance, particularly at the convent. After about three hours of intense
fighting, American forces breached the Mexican defenses.
Mexican casualties numbered approximately 263 killed and 1,000 captured, while U.S. forces
suffered 137 killed and 879 wounded.
The battle led to negotiations for the surrender of Mexico City.
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September 8, 1847
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:: Battle of Molino del Rey ::
U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott (3,500 men) fought Mexican forces under General Antonio León
(4,000 men).
Scott attacked what he believed were cannon foundries but were actually grain mills. U.S.
forces launched a dawn assault, initially suffering heavy casualties before capturing the mills.
Mexican forces attempted several counterattacks but were repulsed.
Final casualties: The U.S. lost 116 killed and 665 wounded, including 59 officers - their highest
officer casualty rate of the war. Mexican forces suffered approximately 270 killed and 500 wounded,
with 700 captured.
Though a U.S. victory, the high casualty rate and questionable strategic value led to criticism of Scott's
decision to attack.
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September 12-13, 1847
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:: Battle of Chapultepec ::
Chapultepec Castle had been converted into the Colegio Militar (Military Academy) in 1833.
U.S. forces under General Winfield Scott (7,200 men) attacked the fortified hilltop castle defended
by Mexican forces (about 880 men) under General Nicolás Bravo.
The assault began with heavy artillery bombardment on September 12th, followed by infantry attacks
on September 13th. U.S. forces scaled the castle walls using ladders and stormed the fortress despite
determined resistance from Mexican defenders, including ca. 50 young military cadets (the "Niños Héroes").
Mexican casualties numbered around 130 killed and 830 captured. U.S. forces suffered 130 killed and 703 wounded.
The capture of Chapultepec Castle opened the way to Mexico City, which fell the next day.
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September 13/14, 1847
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:: Battle for Mexico City ::
The Battle for Mexico City followed immediately after Chapultepec's capture.
U.S. forces under General Scott (approximately 8,000 men) advanced through two city gates - Belén
and San Cosme. Mexican General Santa Anna withdrew most of his remaining forces (around 16,000)
during the night of September 13-14. The city surrendered on September 14, though some street
fighting continued.
U.S. casualties were relatively light: 130 killed and wounded. Mexican losses were approximately
1,000.
Santa Anna resigned as president and commander, effectively ending major Mexican resistance in the war.
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September 14, 1847
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:: Siege of Puebla ::
Mexican forces under General Joaquín Rea besieged a U.S. garrison (500 men) commanded by Colonel
Thomas Childs. The garrison defended three key positions: Fort Loreto, Fort Guadalupe, and San José.
Despite repeated Mexican assaults and bombardment, the U.S. forces held out until relief arrived under
General Joseph Lane on October 12, after winning Huamantla.
U.S. losses were 18 killed and wounded; Mexican casualties numbered around 500.
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October 2, 1847
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:: Battle of Mulegé ::
U.S. naval forces under Lieutenant Benjamin F. Day attempted to land and take the port town of Mulegé in Baja California Sur,
but Mexican defenders under Captain Manuel Pineda denied the request.
Mexican defensive victory. Casualties were light on both sides.
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October 9, 1847
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:: Battle of Huamantla ::
U.S. forces defeated Mexican troops trying to interrupt supply lines. Notable for death of U.S. Captain Samuel Walker.
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October 19, 1847
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:: Battle of Atlixco ::
U.S. forces under General Joseph Lane attacked Mexican forces under General Joaquín Rea
near Atlixco, Mexico. Lane's cavalry charged Mexican positions outside town, forcing Rea's
troops to retreat.
U.S. artillery then bombarded Atlixco at night, compelling its surrender.
U.S. casualties were minimal; Mexican forces suffered approximately 219 casualties.
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October 20, 1847
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:: Battle of Guaymas ::
As a key port city, Guaymas (in Sonora), was strategically important for the control
of the Gulf of California and for disrupting Mexican supply lies.
U.S. naval forces, led by Captain Elie A. F. La Vallette aboard the USS Congress,
accompanied by the sloop USS Portsmouth, confronted a Mexican garrison commanded by
Colonel Antonio Campuzano.
Knowing that bombardment was in the air, the Mexican troops secretly evacuated
Guaymas during the night before the barrage began.
The U.S. forces took possession of the largely abandoned city.
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What Ended the
Mexican-American War?
The
Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the war.
The Treaty meant that:
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Mexico ceded roughly half its territory to the US, including present-day California, Nevada, Utah, most of Arizona,
and parts of New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming.
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The Rio Grande was established as the US-Mexico border.
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The US paid Mexico $15 million in compensation and assumed $3.25 million in claims by US citizens against Mexico.
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The treaty guaranteed certain rights to Mexicans living in the ceded territories, including property rights and
citizenship options, though these protections were often ignored in practice.
Battles of the
Mexican-American War
CLICK MAP TO ENLARGE
Mexican-American War
Maps
Here is a map of the campaign routes
MEXICAN AMERICAN WAR
Click map to enlarge
And here's a huge map of the US Battle Sites
United
States 1689 - 1945 Battle Sites
Click Map to enlarge
The Mexican-American
War and Texas
The following is quoted from the
Atlas of Texas, 1976, used with permission of the University of Texas
Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
In July 1845 Texas formally accepted an
American proposal to be annexed to the United States. Already
strained relations between the United States and Mexico rapidly
worsened. President James K. Polk ordered General Zachary
Taylor and his troops to Corpus Christi. In March 1846, under
instructions, Taylor took up positions on the Rio Grande. On April
26 an American squadron of dragoons surrounded by Mexicans and
unable to fight its way out surrendered. Several Americans lost
their lives in the defeat.
On May 8 the Mexicans intercepted Taylor
at Palo Alto but were driven back. The next day Mexicans again gave
way in battle at Resaca de la Palma. In June Taylor began a march
toward Monterrey, taking that city on September 25. Two months later
the Americans took Saltillo and with little effort filed into
Tampico.
Santa Anna now took the field against
the American forces in northern Mexico, finally engaging the
Americans at Buena Vista in February. Upon learning of the Mexican's
design, General John E. Wool marched from San Antonio to join
Taylor's forces, abandoning his prior plans to take Chihuahua. After
extremely bitter fighting Santa Anna pulled out his army, leaving
Taylor in control of northern Mexico.
While Taylor pursued the enemy, Colonel
Stephen W. Kearny took the "Army of the West" into New
Mexico, capturing Santa Fe on August 16, 1846. Kearny then divided
his forces, taking part to California and sending the remainder
under Alexander W. Doniphan against Chihuahua. After General
Winfield Scott captured Mexico City the two countries finally
reached a settlement.
Source: Maps adapted from The West
Point Atlas of American Wars, Volume 1, Frederick A. Praeger,
1959.
Check the
costs of major US wars in comparison.
Check the American war casualties report
See also
American Timeline.
More History
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