Historic drawing of the Battle

In the early hours of May 8, 1846, General Mariano Arista led his 3,200 men onto this field, setting cannons on the roadway to block the U.S. advance and lining infantry troops and additional artillery across the prairie. On either end of this mile-long line he positioned his cavalry. Using this formation, Arista hoped to flank and engulf the approaching U.S. troops.

General Taylor arrived at Palo Alto around midday on May 8. As the U.S. troops marched out of the cover of mesquite thickets at the northern edge of the field, they paused to entrench their supply train, then advanced to within 700 yards of the Mexican lines.

When the Mexican cannon sounded, the U.S. troops assumed battle formation, but did not advance to engage the Mexican forces. Fearing that a charge would leave his supply train vulnerable to attack, General Taylor held his infantry and cavalry in a defensive formation and rolled artillery forward to respond. Most notable was his use of 18-pound cannons, intended for placement in Fort Texas. The fire of these huge guns tore at the Mexican lines, causing numerous casualties. By contrast, smaller Mexican cannon were much less effective and continually fired short of the U.S. lines.

Arista attempted to answer by sending cavalry troops against the right side of the U.S. line. General Anastasio Torrejón's lancers swept across the western edge of the field, but soon became bogged down by the uneven ground and dense growth. By the time the charge reached its destination, the U.S. 5th Infantry had positioned itself to repel the thrust. Torrejón's horsemen regrouped and attempted an attack on the U.S. supply train, but were turned back again-this time with the support of light artillery that had been moved to meet the charge.

Torrejón's withdrawal to the Mexican line permitted U.S. forces to move forward along the road. But, continued concern for the supply train and a grass fire that erupted between the two armies prevented a full advance. As heavy smoke brought shooting to a halt, the U.S. advance along the road amounted to little more than a rotation of the battle lines.

Historic drawing of the Battle

When smoke cleared, the U.S. artillery resumed its withering fire on the Mexican lines. Mexican artillerymen responded by training their guns on the U.S. cannons-hoping to bring relief from the onslaught. The tactic had limited effect, though the barrage did mortally wound Samuel Ringgold, the mastermind of the U.S. Artillery corps.

As Mexican troops continued to fall, General Arista ordered a second cavalry charge-this time against the U.S. left flank. Once again, however, U.S. light artillery showed its strength. With a quick repositioning of their cannons the U.S. troops thwarted a series of attempts on the U.S. supply train. So effective was his fire that Captain James Duncan was able to advance his artillery across the field. Only a concerted counteract by the Mexican cavalry halted this push forward.

At 7 p.m. the fierce, four-hour cannonade came to an end. Mexican forces had depleted their ammunition and withdrew to the southern edge of the field. Approaching darkness and the ever-present concern for the safety of his supply train led General Taylor to cease firing as well. U.S. forces set up camp behind their lines and prepared to resume fighting the following morning.

Historic drawing of the Battle

Although Mexican troops had delayed the U.S. advance and maintained their siege of Fort Texas, the battle had clearly favored Taylor's forces. The constant pounding of heavy artillery and the efficient use of light field pieces inflicted heavy Mexican casualties: 102 killed, 129 wounded, and 26 missing. U.S. casualties numbered 9 killed, 44 wounded, and 2 missing.

These casualty figures prompted General Arista to reject a second day of battle at Palo Alto. After spending much of the night burying their dead, Mexican forces withdrew early the next morning for Resaca de la Palma.

Palo Alto today

The Field Today
Palo Alto has escaped the development that has swept across the lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas and it retains much of the character of the field in 1846. A vast plain of razor-sharp cordgrass, bounded by dense thickets of mesquite, cactus and other thorny plants, Palo Alto vividly recalls the scene described by soldiers in dozens of letters and diary entries.

At present, the National Park Service is proceeding with efforts to preserve the site, provide access, and stimulate public understanding of this historically important field. After an extensive planning period, Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site is rapidly moving forward with efforts to preserve, protect, and interpret this nationally significant spot.