On March 24, 1846, an American army commanded by General Zachary Taylor encamped along the northern banks of the Rio Grande, directly across the river from Mexican soldiers. Within a month, hostilities commenced: a large body of Mexican cavalrymen attacked a patrol of dragoons on April 23. Declaring that "American blood had been shed on American soil", President Polk addressed Congress, who declared war on May 13, 1846.
The Mexican-American War was born from the nation's quest for new territory and it's ambition to stretch coast to coast. Questions about Texan independence, disputed territory along the Rio Grande, and revolts in California also contributed to the conflict. The war essentially consisted of three different campaigns. Soldiers once stationed at Fort Scott played a role in each of these campaigns.
Zachary Taylor's Army
Texas was annexed by the United States in 1845. The move angered Mexico because they had never officially recognized Texan independence. General Zachary Taylor was sent to Texas with a large army to provide protection. Two companies of infantry from Fort Scott were included in Taylor's contingent of men. In August of 1845, Taylor arrived in Corpus Christi on the Nueces River. Mexico claimed that the Nueces was the southern boundary of Texas, while Texas claimed land all the way to the Rio Grande.
When Taylor took position on the north banks of the Rio Grande in the spring of 1846, his army proved to be too great a target for the Mexican Army. A portion of the Mexican Army crossed the Rio Grande and engaged a body of eighty dragoons, killing eleven of them and capturing most of the rest. Claiming that "American blood had been shed on American soil ," President James K. Polk asked Congress for a declaration of war. War was declared on May 13, 1846.
One of the strategies of the war was that the invasion of Mexico City would force the Mexican government to capitulate to the Americans' territorial claims. Taylor won a string of victories as he marched through Northern Mexico on the way to Mexico City. His campaign reached its apex at Buena Vista where he outfought superior numbers and repelled a two- front attack led by the Mexican general, Santa Anna. He was assisted in this effort by General John Wool, who had recently arrived with a contingent of dragoons including company A, which had departed from Fort Scott in June of 1846 .
The Army of the West
One of the campaigns of the war involved the conquest of what is now the American Southwest. Santa Fe, being the linchpin of a lucrative trade, was a coveted prize. To protect the Santa Fe Trade and to take New Mexico, the regiment of 1st Dragoons was dispatched under the leadership of Stephen Kearny. Company C, which had been stationed at Fort Scott from 1842-43, accompanied the expedition.
Joined by 1000 Missouri volunteers, Kearny's expedition made the 537 mile march from Fort Leavenworth to Bent's Fort during the summer of 1846 and then turned south to Santa Fe. The New Mexicans gave no resistance to Kearny's army. They believed that American rule would be good for trade and were tired of being neglected by the Mexican government. Santa Fe was captured in August of 1846 without a single shot being fired.
After taking New Mexico, Kearny headed his army toward California. En route he was met by Kit Carson, who told him that California was already in the hands of the United States. Since the trail ahead was difficult and had little water, Kearny elected to send all but two of his companies back to Santa Fe.
Kit Carson's news that California had been conquered proved to be a bit premature as the Californios - the Mexicans living in California-rose in revolt. After completing a long and arduous march across the desert, Kearny arrived at Warner's Ranch near San Diego on December 2, 1846. He had learned of the revolt shortly before entering California and now found himself facing an army of superior numbers stationed near the village of San Pasqual.
Despite the exhaustion of his men from their long march, Kearny ordered a surprise attack on the Californian army in hopes of a swift victory. Captain Benjamin Moore-Fort Scott's first commander-led a saber charge which proved to be disastrous. The dragoons were no match for the Californian lancers. Only the arrival of reinforcements and artillery prevented complete disaster. While the Americans took the battlefield, they had paid dearly. Eighteen dragoons lie dead including Captain Moore.
Kearny and his men reached San Diego on December 11, where they joined forces with a body of marines commanded by Commodore Robert Stockton. With their combined forces, they were able to put down the revolt and secure the possession of California for the United States.
Invasion of Mexico City
To prevent a costly land war and an overland march by Taylor, his campaign was halted after Buena Vista. Much of his command was transferred to General Winfield Scott- for whom the fort was named. The infantry units that had once been stationed at Fort Scott now joined Winfield Scott's army as he conducted an amphibious assault against Veracruz. After seizing Veracruz in March of 1847, Winfield Scott began his march inland toward Mexico City. By August, the army had reached the outskirts of Mexico City. After a series of costly victories, one of which claimed the life of Colonel William Graham-the fort's second commander, Mexico City was invaded on September 13, 1847.
The capture of Mexico City clinched the outcome of war. The peace treaty, which was ratified on May 30, 1848, turned the entire Southwest over to the United States. The question of Texas was settled, and land comprising the present states of Colorado, Utah, Nevada, California, Arizona and New Mexico became U.S. territory. The Mexican War combined with the overland trail migrations and the gold rush of 1849 bought about the fulfillment of "Manifest Destiny". Expansion brought about an end to the notion of a Permanent Indian Frontier and the abandonment of Fort Scott in 1853.
The 1840s was an important era because it defined the direction the United States would take as a nation. Events in the 1840s would have far reaching effects. Settlers in California and Oregon would prove to be key players in the establishment of a transcontinental railroad. The debate over slavery in the territories acquired from Mexico would prove to be a catalyst that led to the Civil War.
Suggested Reading
- So Far From God, John S.D. Eisenhower
- The Mexican War 1846-48, K. Jack Bauer
- To Conquer a Peace: The U. S. War with Mexico, John Edward Weems
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