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Battle for Mexico City

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	Topics Battle for Mexico City Topic Home The Battle for Mexico City refers to the series of engagements from September 8 to September 15, 1847, in the general vicinity of Mexico CityMexico City Mexico City is the capital city of the nation of Mexico.... during the Mexican-American War. Included are major actions at the battles of Molino del ReyBattle of Molino del Rey The Battle of Molino del Rey was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Mexican-American War.... and ChapultepecBattle of Chapultepec The Battle of Chapultepec took place in September 1847 during the Mexican-American War, at Chapultepec Castle on Chapultepec... , culminating with the fall and destruction of Mexico City. Background The major objective of U.S. operations in central MexicoMexico The United Mexican States, generally known as Mexico is a country located in North America, bordered at the north by t... had been the capture of Mexico City. After capturing the portSiege of Veracruz The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day siege of the key Mexican seaport of Veracruz, Veracruz, during the Mexican-American War.... of VeracruzVeracruz, Veracruz The city of Veracruz is a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz.... in March, Winfield ScottWinfield Scott Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, diplomat, and presidential candidate.... was able to secure a base and move inland and defeat a large Mexican force at the Battle of Cerro GordoFacts About Battle of Cerro Gordo The Battle of Cerro Gordo was a battle of the Mexican-American War.... . After routing the Mexicans at the Battle of ChurubuscoBattle of Churubusco The Battles of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras during the Me... , Scott's army was only 5 miles (8 km) away from its objective of Mexico City. Although defeated at Cerro Gordo and ChurubuscoBattle of Churubusco The Battles of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras during the Me... , Santa Anna'sAntonio López de Santa Anna Antonio de Padua Mara Severino Lpez de Santa Anna y Prez de Lebrn, also known simply as Santa Anna was a Mexican patri... army remained intact and outnumbered Scott. Order of battle United States Army of Invasion Winfield ScottWinfield Scott Winfield Scott was a United States Army general, diplomat, and presidential candidate.... 1st Division William J. WorthWilliam J. Worth William Jenkins Worth was a United States general during the Mexican-American War.... Brigade – John GarlandJohn Garland (general) John Garland was a career United States soldier in the Regular Army who had a long and distinguished career spanning fifty y... , 2d & 3d Artillery, 4th Infantry, Duncan's Battery Brigade – Newman S. ClarkeNewman S. Clarke Newman S. Clarke was a career military officer in the United States army who served with distinction during the Mexican-Amer... , 5th, 6th & 8th Infantry 2nd Division David E. TwiggsDavid E. Twiggs David Emanuel Twiggs was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican War and a general in the Confederate Sta... Brigade – Bennet RileyBennet Riley Bennet Riley was the seventh military governor of California, serving in 1849, before the territory became a U.S.... ,4th Artillery, 2d & 7th Infantry Brigade – Persifor F. Smith, 1st Artillery, 3d Infantry, Taylor's Battery 3rd Division Gideon Pillow Brigade – Franklin PierceFranklin Pierce Franklin Pierce, Sr. was an American politician and the 14th President of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857.... , 9th, 12th & 15th Infantry, Magruder's Battery Brigade – George CadwaladerGeorge Cadwalader George Cadwalader was a general in the United States army during the Mexican-American War and American Civil War.... , 11th & 14th Infantry, Voltigeurs 4th Division John A. QuitmanJohn A. Quitman John Anthony Quitman was an American politician and soldier.... Brigade – James ShieldsJames Shields James Shields was an American politician and U.S.... New York & South Carolina Regiments, Mariners, Steptoe's Battery Marines – Samuel E. WatsonSamuel E. Watson Samuel E. Watson was an officer in the U.S.... , 2d Pennsylvania Regiment Cavalry Brigade – William Harney, 1st, 2d & 3d Dragoons Mexico 7 August 1847—20,210 men Mexican Army General Antonio López de Santa AnnaAntonio López de Santa Anna Antonio de Padua Mara Severino Lpez de Santa Anna y Prez de Lebrn, also known simply as Santa Anna was a Mexican patri... Chief of Artillery: General Carrera Chief of Engineers: General Mora y Villamil Army of the East General Manuel LombardiniManuel Lombardini Manuel María Lombardini was acting president of Mexico for two months in 1853. ... 1st Brigade General Terres (1st Activos, Lakes and 2nd Light Battalions) 2nd Brigade General Martinez (Morelia Activos, Invalids Corps) 3rd Brigade General Rangel (Mixto Sta Anna, Morelia National Guards) 4th Brigade General Perez (1st, 3rd & 4th Light, 11th Infantry) 5th Brigade General Leon (Oajaca & Queretaro Activos, 10th Infantry, Queretaro & Mina National Guards) 6th Brigade General Pedro María de AnayaPedro María de Anaya Pedro Bernardino Mar?a de Anaya was twice interim president of Mexico in 1847 to 1848.... (Independencia, Bravos, Victoria & Hidalgo National Guards) 7th Brigade Col. Zerecero (Acapulco, parts Tlapa & Libertad pickets) Army of the North General Gabriel ValenciaGabriel Valencia Gabriel Valencia was a Mexican soldier in the early years of the Republic.... 3,000 Infantry, 100 Cavalry 500 Artillery Vanguard Brigade General Mejia (Fijo de Mexico, Potosi Activos, 7th Cavalry) Centre Brigade General Parrodi (10th and 11th Infantry, Tampico Coast Guards, Queretaro, Celaya and Guanajuato Activos, Celaya Auxiliary) Reserve Brigade General Salas (Engineers, Mixto Santa Anna, Aguascalientes Activos, 2nd, 3rd & 8th Cavalry, Guanajuato Cavalry) Army of the South General Juan ÁlvarezJuan Álvarez Juan N. ?lvarez Hurtado was a general and interim president of Mexico for a few months in 1855.... 2,762 Cavalry Cavalry Division Alcaraz, Ramon "Apuntes para la historia de la guerra entre Mexico...† Battles Molino del Rey On September 8, the fight for Mexico City began. Scott believed that a cannon foundry was located at the Molino del Rey, the King's Mill, located just over 2 miles (3 km) outside the city. Scott sent the 1st Division under William J. WorthFacts About William J. Worth William Jenkins Worth was a United States general during the Mexican-American War.... to seize and destroy the foundry. Worth wished to include Chapultepec Castle in his attack, and when Scott refused, a bitter rivalry began between Scott and Worth. In the ensuing battle, both sides suffered heavy casualties, and Worth drove the Mexicans from the mill, separating them from the forces at Chapultepec. The battle produced no significant military gains for the U.S. Chapultepec The main assault on the city came a few days later on September 12. Mexico City was guarded in part by Chapultepec Castle, which was being used as a military academy. Scott preceded infantry assault with an all day artilleryArtillery Historically, *artillery* refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war.... barrage on September 12. The next day, September 13, the 4th Division, under John A. QuitmanJohn A. Quitman John Anthony Quitman was an American politician and soldier.... , spearheaded the attack against Chapultepec and carried the castle. Future ConfederateConfederate States of America The Confederate States of America was the government formed by eleven southern states of the USA between 1861 and 1865.... generals George E. Pickett and James LongstreetJames Longstreet James Longstreet was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War, and later enjoyed a successful pos... participated in the attack. Serving in the Mexican defense were the cadets later immortalized as Los Niños HéroesNiños Héroes *Los Ni?os H?roes* were six teenage military cadets who died defending Mexico at Mexico City's Chapultepec Castle fro... (the "Boy Heroes"). The Mexican forces fell back from Chapultepec and retreated within the city. Attacks on the San Cosme and Belén Gates Quitman's Division made its way down the Belén Causeway towards the Belén Gate, defended by General Terres & Colonel Garay with 3 guns, while Worth's Division further to the north made its way up La Verónica Causeway towards the San Cosme Gate, defended by General Rangel's Infantry Brigade (Granaderos Battalion, 1st Light, part 3d Light (Lt.Col. Echeagaray))with 3 guns & howitzerHowitzer Summary howitzer is a type of field artillery.... s. Quitman was merely supposed to make a feint towards the city, but he pushed forward his whole division and broke through the defenses. Santa Anna arrived at the Belén Gate in a fury and relieved the front commander. Worth's Division in the meantime had a slow start against the Mexicans after beating off a Mexican cavalry attack. When he reached San Cosme, he found its defenses ill prepared, but the Mexicans defending it put up a good fight before falling back. Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant was an American soldier and politician who was elected the 18th President of the United States .... found his way into the action along the causeway on Worth's front and helped in hoisting a cannon into the belltower of a nearby church. From this spot Grant fired into the defenders below. When the fighting subsided on all fronts, both gates had fallen and the Mexicans had withdrawn into the city. Other gates defended were: San Antonio by General M. Martinez with 10 guns; Nino Perdido by the National Guards and 2 guns; and San Lazaro, Guadeloupe and Villejo, which were defended by small infantry detachments. Fall of Mexico City The Junta (Gens. Alcorta, Carrera, Lombardini & Fran. Perez) had withdrawn their army : 14 Guns, 4,000 Cavalry (Quijano & Andrade Brigades), and 5,000 Infantry ( Gov. Olaguibel :Toluca National Grds, Cmdte. Arroyo : Lagos, Iturbide, & Tula Battalions, Gen. Martinez : various pickets, & Gen. Perez : 11th Infantry & remnants of Light Regts.)from the city during the night, and the U.S. forces, expecting another assault, found the city undefended. Worth and Quitman advanced cautiously. Quitmant sent Lieutenant Pierre Beauregard to arrange the surrender of the ciudadela. Beauregard and Mansfield LovellMansfield Lovell Mansfield Lovell was a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.... were met by a Mexican officer who asked for a receipt for the captured ciudadela.( 15 Guns) Beauregard exclaimed that "we give receipts at the point of their swords". Scott gave the honor of formally entering the city to Quitman's Division. The conquering army was less than impressing, the troops wore ragged and bloodstained uniforms and Quitman only had on one shoe when he marched into the city. Worth personally took down the flag flying over the National Palace, and a U.S. Marine hoisted the U.S. flagFlag of the United States The flag of the United States consists of 13 equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle ... in its place. Quitman marched into the ZócaloPlaza de la Constitución La Plaza de la Constituci?n, informally called *El Z?calo, is the main square in Mexico City.... plaza in the center of the city in front of the National Palace where the formal surrender took place. As Worth's division entered the city the leading unit was John Garland'sFacts About John Garland (general) John Garland* was a career United States soldier in the Regular Army who had a long and distinguished career spanning fifty y... brigade. Stragglers from the Mexican army left in the city after Santa Anna's withdrawal climbed to the roofs of houses and began shooting at the American soldiers. General Garland was hit in the chest with the first shot and fell severely wounded. Before he evacuated, Santa Anna released 30,000 prisoners into the streets of the city, and these rooftop shots provoked the prisoners into similar acts. Worth did manage to get the sniping under control. William S. HarneyWilliam S. Harney ... 's dragoons escorted General Scott into the city wearing his immaculate dress uniform and was greeted by patriotic music. Scott appointed the politically savvy Quitman as military governor, becoming the only American to ever rule from the National Palace. Casualties September 8 U.S. 116 killed, 665 wounded, 18 missing, 789 total Mexican 2,700 total September 12-15 U.S. 130 killed, 703 wounded, 29 missing, 862 total Mexican 1,800 killed and wounded, 823 captured, 2,623 total Totals U.S. 1,651 Mexican 4,500 See also Battles of the Mexican-American WarBattles of the Mexican-American War The following are known battles of the Mexican-American War.... Marines' hymnMarines' hymn The Marines' hymn is the official hymn of the United States Marine Corps.... Battle of Molino del ReyBattle of Molino del Rey The Battle of Molino del Rey was one of the bloodiest engagements of the Mexican-American War.... External links