Battle of Buena Vista

The Bataille of Buena Vista is held 22 with the February 23rd 1847 during the américano-Mexican Guerre. She opposes the General Antonio López de Santa Anna ordering the Mexican Army of North to the troops of army U.S. of occupation ordered by the generals Zachary Taylor and John Ellis Wool. It takes place with Buena Vista, 12 km in the south of Saltillo, in the north of the Mexico. The numerical inferiority of the American troops of invasion was compensated by the performance of their artillery which pushed back the Mexican attacks on their positions.

Context

After the Bataille of Monterrey (21 September 23rd, 1846) almost the totality of the troops of the General Zachary Taylor is sent on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, it has to become large troops of the forwarding of the General Winfield Scott against Mexico City. Taylor feels well that its future political rival, President James K. Polk tries to deprive it of all new military success which could facilitate its next countryside for the presidential election to him. Taylor decides to be unaware of the orders to remain with Monterrey and goes towards the interior of Mexico to seize Saltillo. Taylor also orders the Division of the Center ordered by John E. Wool, who was to go to Chihuahua, to join its attack on Saltillo. With the division of Wool, forces U.S. enter 4 ' 500 men, for the majority of the units of volunteers who never fought.

During the summer 1846, Antonio López de Santa Anna returns of exile and seizes capacity. During the fall of Monterrey, Santa Anna raises an army of 25 ' 000 men to Mexico City. At this point in time a letter of the Scott General to the Taylor General speaking about the transfer of large of the troops of the army of Taylor towards the Gulf of Mexico, falls between the hands from the Mexicans. Santa Anna goes then quickly towards north to try to drive out Taylor of Mexico during the displacement of the American forces.

The battle

Taylor learns that Santa Anna goes towards north, also moves it of a dozen kilometers in the south of Saltillo with Agua Nueva. It sends Major Ben McCulloch Texas Rangers as a scout to supervise the advance of the Mexican army. McCulloch finds more Santa Anna to a hundred kilometers in the south and submits his report/ratio with Taylor the February 21st. Taylor moves then towards the collar of Buena Vista halfway of Agua Nueva and Saltillo. The Wool General is charged to organize defenses. Later, this same day Santa Anna arrives at Agua Nueva with 20 ' 000 man, his forces were appreciably reduced, because of the desertions and tiredness due to the forced march from Mexico City. Santa Anna considers the movement of the American troops towards Buena Vista like a retirement and their offer to go. The aide-de-camp of Taylor, William Bliss answers eloquently that forces U.S. decline this offer. Taylor, anxious as for the safety of its provisioning goes to Saltillo during the night to make sure of the protection of its backs. In the morning of the February 23rd the General Pedro de Ampudia attacks the left side of the American troops held by 2nd Indiana of Indiana Brigade of Joseph Lane. The volunteers are supported by an artillery battery but it must nevertheless move back as well as the second line of volunteers of the Illinois. Wool sends a messenger to the Lane General, requiring of him to hold the line at all costs. The volunteers of Illinois are moving back under the pressure of the Mexican attack. At this time crucial the Taylor General joined the battle field and the fact knowledge with his men; he is escorted by the Mississippi Rifles ordered by Colonel Jefferson Davis. Mississippiens strike the side of the column of Ampudia, at this point in time Davis is wounded with the foot. During this time Wool joined the regiments in difficulties, using the walls of the hacienda of Buena Vista like defensive position supported by a battery ordered by Thomas W. Sherman and two regiments of dragon S. 3rd Indiana is sent to support Davis and the two regiments position in a V reversed. The Mexicans attack this new line. American retains their fire so a long time that the attackers are disconcerted and mark a short pause by it, at this point in time abbat on them a flood of fire. Approximately 2 ' 000 Mexicans are then nailed on the ground. A young Mexican lieutenant tries a trick then, asking for one cease fire by claiming that Santa Anna wishes to discuss with the commander U.S. Taylor and Wool see clearly in its play, but that leaves time to the Mexicans taken with the trap to escape. Santa Anna prepares a new attack on the heart of the American device, carried out by the General Francisco Pérez with one supports artillery. Taylor gallops towards an artillery battery ordered by Braxton Bragg after a short conversation, the Bragg Captain answers him that it draws with a simple load, Taylor orders " to him; double load for your guns and send in hell, Bragg". Later this order badly transcribed in a " give their a little more grape Capitaine Bragg" , will be used as slogan of countryside when Taylor is presented to the White House. The attack of Pérez is pushed back whereas a strong rain starts to fall on the battle field. During the night, Santa Anna makes retirement towards Agua Nueva.

In 1859, the county of Buena Vista in the Iowa, will be thus named in the honor of this battle.

Consequences

The Bataille of Buena Vista was the major battle in the north of Mexico. It is about largest but also of the last victory of Taylor at the time of this war, he goes back then to the United States to continue a political career there. Its success of Buena Vista and its legendary order with the Bragg Captain, will enable him to gain the presidential election of 1848. Santa Anna, having undergone heavy losses makes retirement towards the south. It will be then constrained to defend Mexico City against the army ordered by Winfield Scott.

Sources

The Mexican War ; Nevin, David; Time Life Books; NY; 1978 ISBN 0809423022.
The Mexican-American War 1846-48 ; Bauer, K. Jack; NY; Macmillan, 1974; ISBN 0025078909.

US Military Accademy West Point
Americas Library
American casualties list

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