February 16, 2018
The battle at Palo Alto on May 8, 1846 began the war with Mexico that established the Rio Grande as the U.S.-Mexican boundary.
Although Texas had severed ties with Mexico in 1836, many Mexican leaders refused to recognize this. Texas was admitted to the U.S. as its 28th state in 1845 but Mexican leaders continued to contest the Rio Grande as an appropriate boundary. President James K. Polk sent General Zachary Taylor to south Texas, hoping a show of force might convince Mexican leaders to settle the Texas issue. Mexican General Mariano Arista was stationed at Matamoros. Taylor established Fort Texas across the Rio Grande and left for Port Isabel, about 20 miles east, to get provisions. Arista began to bombard Fort Texas, and Taylor left Port Isabel with 2300 troops and 200 wagons of supplies. Arista and his 3200 troops moved to block Taylor’s return and the two forces met on the Palo Alto prairie.
Although the U.S. forces were outnumbered, their use of flying artillery (light, easily repositioned cannon) developed by Major Samuel Ringgold and superior weaponry overall turned back the Mexican troops. During that battle, 100 Mexicans were killed and 125 were wounded. Nine U.S. soldiers were killed and 17 were wounded.
Arista retreated a few miles away to Resaca de Palma where his and Taylor’s forces again engaged the next day. Arista withdrew south of the Rio Grande.
U.S. troops pressed into Mexico, eventually capturing Mexico City in September 1847. In the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848, Mexican leaders renounced their claim to Texas, accepted the Rio Grande as the boundary, and sold other property to the United States.
Frying pan from the battlefield.
Soldiers drank beer from bottles like these.
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