First Battle of Tabasco
Encyclopedia
The First Battle of Tabasco was fought during the Mexican-American War.
's efforts to blockade the major Mexican
ports on the Gulf of Mexico
.
. Perry reached the Tabasco River (present day Grijalva River
) in late October and seized the town of Frontera
along with two Mexican ships. Leaving a small garrison he pushed upriver towards the city of San Juan Bautista
. Perry reached the town on October 24 and seized five more Mexican vessels and put the landing party ashore. Colonel Juan B. Traconis, the Mexican departmental commander lacked a sufficient force to fight the U.S. and withdrew from the town. Perry also lacked the numbers to hold the town and recalled the landing force.
During the night, Mexican forces returned to the city and barricaded themselved within the buildings. Perry realized that shelling the town was his only option to drive out the Mexican Army, and not wanting to damage the city merchants, he decided to withdraw the next day. On the morning of October 26, Perry was readying the fleet to return to Frontera when the Mexican forces began firing upon the fleet. Perry returned fire, but a plea from the civilians made him stop and run up a white flag
to show his intentions of withdrawing peacefully. While leaving one of the captured ships ran aground, and the Mexicans began firing upon it. Perry again returned fire, but he directed that the non-combatant buildings be spared if possible. The ship was freed and the fleet returned to Frontera. From there he rejoined the Home Squadron under Commodore David Connor
for the operations against Tampico
.
Perry returned to Tampico in 1847 with a larger force, and he achieved more successful results against Tabasco
.
Background
The battle was part of the U.S. Home SquadronHome Squadron
The Home Squadron was part of the United States Navy in the mid-19th century. Organized as early as 1838, ships were assigned to protect coastal commerce, aid ships in distress, suppress piracy and the slave trade, make coastal surveys, and train ships to relieve others on distant stations...
's efforts to blockade the major Mexican
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
ports on the Gulf of Mexico
Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico is a partially landlocked ocean basin largely surrounded by the North American continent and the island of Cuba. It is bounded on the northeast, north and northwest by the Gulf Coast of the United States, on the southwest and south by Mexico, and on the southeast by Cuba. In...
.
Battle
Commodore Matthew C. Perry led a detachment of 7 ships south along the coast towards TabascoTabasco
Tabasco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Tabasco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 17 municipalities and its capital city is Villahermosa....
. Perry reached the Tabasco River (present day Grijalva River
Grijalva River
Grijalva River, formerly known as Tabasco River. is a 480 km long river in southeastern Mexico. It is named after Juan de Grijalva who visited the area in 1518. The river rises in Chiapas highlands and flows from Chiapas to the state of Tabasco through the Sumidero Canyon into the Bay of...
) in late October and seized the town of Frontera
Frontera
There are numerous places that have the name Frontera *Argentina:**Frontera, Santa Fe*Mexico**Frontera, Coahuila**Frontera, Tabasco*Spain**Arcos de la Frontera...
along with two Mexican ships. Leaving a small garrison he pushed upriver towards the city of San Juan Bautista
Villahermosa
Like most of the Tabasco, Villahermosa has a tropical climate. The city specifically features a tropical monsoon climate. Temperatures during spring and summer seasons reach upwards of 40°C , with humidity levels hovering around 30% during the same period...
. Perry reached the town on October 24 and seized five more Mexican vessels and put the landing party ashore. Colonel Juan B. Traconis, the Mexican departmental commander lacked a sufficient force to fight the U.S. and withdrew from the town. Perry also lacked the numbers to hold the town and recalled the landing force.
During the night, Mexican forces returned to the city and barricaded themselved within the buildings. Perry realized that shelling the town was his only option to drive out the Mexican Army, and not wanting to damage the city merchants, he decided to withdraw the next day. On the morning of October 26, Perry was readying the fleet to return to Frontera when the Mexican forces began firing upon the fleet. Perry returned fire, but a plea from the civilians made him stop and run up a white flag
White flag
White flags have had different meanings throughout history and depending on the locale.-Flag of temporary truce in order to parley :...
to show his intentions of withdrawing peacefully. While leaving one of the captured ships ran aground, and the Mexicans began firing upon it. Perry again returned fire, but he directed that the non-combatant buildings be spared if possible. The ship was freed and the fleet returned to Frontera. From there he rejoined the Home Squadron under Commodore David Connor
David Conner (naval officer)
Commodore David Conner was an officer of the United States Navy, whose service included the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. During the 1840s, he served on the Board of Navy Commissioners and as the first Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repair.Conner was born in...
for the operations against Tampico
Tampico
Tampico is a city and port in the state of Tamaulipas, in the country of Mexico. It is located in the southeastern part of the state, directly north across the border from Veracruz. Tampico is the third largest city in Tamaulipas, and counts with a population of 309,003. The Metropolitan area of...
.
Perry returned to Tampico in 1847 with a larger force, and he achieved more successful results against Tabasco
Second Battle of Tabasco
The Second Battle of Tabasco, also known as the Battle of Villahermosa, was a battle fought in June 1847 during the Mexican-American War as part of the U.S. blockade of Mexican Gulf ports.-Background:...
.