The Mexican-American War 1846-1848 - History Forum ~ All Empires

The cou ntry was deeply divided since the achievement of the independence. The economy was collpased due the multiple internal wars and the foreign wars agaisnt Spain and France, plus the failed Texas campaing.

Yucatan Peninsula ( comprising Yucatan, Campeche and Quintana Roo states ) secced from Mexico in 1840.
Yucatan signed an agreement of Commerce and Mutual Assistance Agreement with Texas and when the war against the US started, Yucatan declared neutrality and even offered to be annexhed to the US.

Texas which independence was never recognized by Mexico was annexhed by the US as another state in 1845. The short lived republic boundaries with Mexico were delimited by the Nueces River. However, the US claimed the border to be stablished at the Bravo River or Rio Grande.

The Federalist and the Centralist factions were in continuous clashings.

In 1844, General Jose Joaquin Herrera removed from office to Gen. Valentin Canalizo and exiled to Santa Anna to Cuba

President Jose Joaquin Herrera ordered to have dispatched troops to the limits with Texas, while Taylor stablished his headquarter on the regio.
Gen. Paredes y Arrillgada revolted at San Luis Potosi agaisnt the goverment and used the troops under his command to stop the American invasion in order to remove from power to Pres. Herrera, claiming that he was negotiating with the US to give up the northern territories.

Mexico was expecting that the US and the UK could go to war in regards the US interest on Oregon. However, the US and the British goverment settled the terms for Oregon to be another US State.

Paredes y Arrillaga sent an army north to Matamoros, which put 5,000 men across the Rio Grande from Taylor's army. And, on April 23, Paredes y Arrillago proclaimed that Mexico had begun a defensive war against the United States. On April 24 the Mexican commander at Matamoros, General Mariano Arista, had the courtesy to inform Taylor that hostilities had commenced, and on the 25th he sent 1,600 men on patrol across the river. Taylor that day sent a party of 60 mounted infantry (dragoons) on patrol. Taylor had failed to have scouts about maintaining an awareness of enemy positions, and Taylor's men rode into a trap. Sixteen of Taylor's men were killed or wounded before they could withdraw.

Taylor sent a message to Washington that blood had been spilled, that the war had begun, and on the 28ththe Mexicans attacked a patrol of Texas Rangers, with nine Texan-Anglos being killed or taken prisoner.

On May 8, President Polk received Slidell, back from Mexico City. On May 9, Polk received the message about fighting from Taylor. On May 11, President Polk went before Congress to ask for a declaration of war, in response to what he said was Mexico's initiation of hostilities. "American blood," he said, "had been spilled on American soil."On the 13th, the U.S. Congress declared war, the Senate voting 40 to 2 in favor, the House voting 174 to14.

U.S. citizens were alarmed, fearing that the men under General Taylor would be overwhelmed by Mexico's larger and more experienced military. Meanwhile on May 8, back in Texas, fighting between the armies of Taylor and Arista had broken out in earnest - on Taylor's side of the Rio Grande. It was to some extend an artillery duel - artillery being the weapon with the greatest range. And Taylor's artillery was more effective. The Mexicans fought well in what became known as the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca del la Palma, two battles in two days, about five miles apart, after which the Mexicans withdrew to their side of the Rio Grande, with many killed as they crossed the river. The Mexicans lost approximately 320 killed and 700 wounded. Taylor's army lost 9 killed and 47 wounded.

Mexico had plans to blockade the Texas coasts, but those plans did not considered a war agaisnt the US.

Mexican troops stablished at Mazatlan were supposed to be sent to California. The garrison instigated by the liberals, rebeled agaisnt Paredes y Arrillaga, calling for the return of Santa Anna. The militar commnader of Guadalajara rebelled as well.

Santa Anna and Polk had an approach. Polk allowed to Santa Anna to return in a US vessel to Verazcruz and was able to cross the US blockade.

Santa Anna took the command of the Army and denominated to Valentin Gomez Farias, as President, while he prepared the defense of the country.

Taylor advanced towards Monterrey and Saltillo and fought at La Angostura. Santa Anna had to retire from the field to fleed to Mexico City.

Gomez Farias in an attempt to collect more funds for the war, declared the expropiation of properties of the Church. The conservatives rebelled and instead of marching to assist the garrison at Veracruz, revolted in Mexico City agaisnt Gomez Farias ( Rebellion of the Polkos ).

Santa Anna at Cerro Gordo ( Fat Hill ). Santa Anna did not fortified the positions on the hill, becuase accordingly with him, not even the rabbits could climb the hill.

Scott was marching from Veracruz to Puebla and Tlaxcala were he found no resistance after giving all kind of warranties to the Catholic Church that her properties will not be touched.

Scott's troops were stationated now at Valley of Mexico. Gen Valencia resisted at Padierna and Contreras. He made a brilliant defense and his flank was reinforced. Santa Anna ordered to Valencia to retire from the field and join him to defense Mexico City.

Gen. Valencia was ordered twice to leave the position and still continue to refuse. Santa Anna ordered in secret to the cavalry dispatched to cover his flank to retire without advise to Gen Valencia. The US troops then met no resistance at Valencia's flank and attacked his uncovered position. Santa Anna observed the disaster from a safer position and stated: That's what you wanted ? Now F... yourself.

Scott then advanced towards the convent of Churubusco. The position was held by the troops of Gen. Pedro Maria Anaya. It was reinforced by the Bataillon of San Patricio, the US desserters that joined the mexican army. They were incorporated as infantry instead of artillery.

The garrison soon ran out of ammo. The ammo sent by Santa Anna was not of the caliber requested and the battle soon became a melee fight.
Anaya, wounded and without ammo, ordered the surrender. When he was interrogated where the ammo and the powder was, he replied, if we had ammo, you should not be in here.

   Scott moved towards Mexico City and the last bastion on his way was the Castle of Chapultepec ( Montezuma Halls ).
The position at the bottom of the Castle was defended by a Naval Bataillon ( San Blas ) that was overwhelmed and annhiliated. The castle was defended by sappers, infantry and 200 cadets of the Militar Acdemy. This battle is remembered as an epic episode in our national history.

   Gen Juan Alvarez was observing the battle with 5,000 cavalry men and did notr participated on the battle. Trying to keep his resources for the war aftermath.

   There were examples of cowardice and uncompetence. Brave soldiers eager to protect Mexico, but also the interest of local warlords, the Catholich Church and the Army that interfered on the defense of the Fatherland. A shameful episode. Only the French Mexican War could redime our history and make us whortly as a nation.

Edited by Jalisco Lancer