America - from the Past to the Present

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Caleb Lin

English 1

Mr. Michael

May 9, 2006

America ÐŽV From the Past to the Present

The Mexican-American war determined the destiny of the United States of America, it determined whether or not it would become a world power and it established the size of the United States of America.

The war started mainly because of the Manifest Destiny or ÐŽ§purple dreamЎЁ, Americans thought they had the divine right to extend their territory.

The Mexican-American War started mainly because of the annexation of the Republic of Texas (established in 1836 after breaking away from Mexico). The United States and Mexico still had conflicts on what the borders of Texas was, the United States claimed that the Texas border with Mexico was the Rio Grande, but the Mexicans said that it was the Nueces River, so the land in between were disputed and claimed by both the United States and Mexico.

Hostilities started on April 24th, 1846, 2000 Mexican cavalry crossed the Rio Grande and attacked an American troop of 63 men. This was called the Thornton Affair, 11 troopers were killed and the rest were captured. After that,

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the Mexicans started bombing Fort Brown, the United States sent General Zach Taylor with 2400 men to relieve the fort. The Mexican general Mariano Arista with 3400 men rushed out to meet them. When the congress heard of the news, they declared ÐŽ§American blood has been shed on American soilЎЁ and they declared war on Mexico. The Americans used a new artillery method called flying artillery, in which mobile light artillery was mounted on horse carriages and the cannoneers were mounted too, in addition, the shells exploded on impact, devastating the Mexican artillery, the Arista tried to route the Flying Artillery with the Mexican Cavalry but did not succeed. The American Artillery demoralized the Mexicans, so Arista decided to withdraw to a place in their favor. They moved into a dry riverbed at night which provided natural fortifications but making communication difficult. During the battle of Resaca de la Palma, both sides engaged in vicious hand to hand fighting, the American Cavalry managed to capture the Mexican Artillery resulting in the Mexicans retreating and rerouting, but because of the terrain, Arista could not rally his troops. The Mexicans had heavy casualties and were forced to abandon their artillery and other supplies. Fort Brown caused more casualties when the Mexicans were crossing the river of Rio Grande.

A month later, on June 14th 1846 in California, native English speaking people

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arrested the Mexican governor and imprisoned him and declared California the California Republic. Sloat claimed Monterey and took control of the California Republic. Later he transferred his command to Robert F. Stockton under the orders from congress. At the same time, Kearny with 1700 US troops marched to Sante Fe, New Mexico and took control. Kearny later proceeded with 300 dragoons along the Gila River valley. Later on, he sent back 200 of his 300 dragoons believing the war in California was over. But he clashed with the Mexican militia the settlement of San Pasqual because he mistakenly believed that it would be a miss match in the favor of him. He was defeated when he had superior numbers and firearms when the militia only had swords and lances, but later, he would claim it as an American victory.

Then he met up with Stockton and recaptured Ciudad de Los Angeles at the battle of San Gabriel, which as captured by Stockton but later was captured by the Mexican militia. Kearny and Stockton disputed over the right of command and even thought Kearny had superior orders, he sent most of his men back believing the war was over and most of the troops were damaged in the battle of San Pasqual. Stockton had a larger force and was more familiar

with the area so Kearny did not initially dispute StocktonÐŽ¦s command. Stockton

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appointed John C. Fremont as governor, but he was court marshaled for his loyalty to Stockton and later pardoned by Polk (the president at that time).

The battle of Resaca de la Palma caused political turmoil in Mexico; Santa Anna (former dictator) used this to return from self imposed exile. He promised to have a peaceful solution and sale of territory to the United States. But after his arrival, he failed to fulfill his promise, and instead, offered his military skills. After he was appointed general, he broke his promise again and seized the presidency.

Now, America took the battle into Mexico. A large force led by General Taylor crossed the Rio Grande and occupied the city of Matamoras, the Camagro then advanced southward and besieged Monterrey. This was a butter siege. The American light artillery could not penetrate the stone fortifications of the city and the Mexican forces commanded by General Pedro de Ampudia made American soldiers miserable. Luckily, a Texas Ranger infantry division captured four hills to the west of the town and they had heavy cannon. Now the Americans could pincer the Mexican fortress from the east and the west. Once the Americans got in the city, the soldiers proceeded with house to house and hand to hand fighting. The Texas Rangers taught the soldiers the trick of throwing lighted grenades into houses which worked as primitive grenades and blew the Mexicans