Battle of Churubusco

The Bataille of Churubusco is held the August 20th 1847 during the final stage of the américano-Mexican Guerre, with Churubusco, a locality strengthened to 10 km in the south of Mexico City. It is the direct continuation of the Bataille of Will counter which took place at the time of the night from August 19th to 20th. She opposes the army American, strong of 8400 men, ordered by the General Winfield Scott with a Mexican, strong army of 2600 men, ordered by the generals Antonio López de Santa Anna and Manuel Rincón. She concludes herself by the victory from the the United States.

Context

Following the rout of the Général Valencia at the time of the Bataille of Will counter, the Mexican position of San Antonio is forced to fold up itself on Churubusco. After the catch of San Antonio, the American forces make their junction with those which overcame Valencia and prepare for the Bataille of Churubusco.

Mexican preparations

The Mexicans cut off themselves in the convent Franciscain from Santa María de Churubusco. Although this place does not offer any advantage height on the ground neighborhood, there is a small river, crossed by a bridge which forces U.S. will have to negotiate beforehand. In addition to the stone walls of the convent, defenses include/understand an incomplete series of trenches which the Mexicans started to dig before the attack. The defenders are 1300, the battalions Independencia and Bravos (90% of them never fought) and the Holy Bataillon Patrick ( San Patricios). They have seven guns.

Three guns are placed on the line; two in the center; and the two last on the left. Independencia is seen assigning the defense of the walls, the driving right side with the bridge, the southern parts and north like two huts in adobe, located in front of the future battle field. The Cheers and the San Patricios hold the left side, behind barricades.

The battle

This time, there is no alternative to the frontal shock. Scott attacks simultaneously since several directions. It did not stop to carry out a recognition, it counts on the dash of its troops which continue the Mexicans fleeing Contreras.

The first attack of the 6.000 men ordered by William J. Worth and David E. Twiggs is pushed back. Pedro María Anaya, second of the General Manual Rincón, manages to stop a particularly wild attack on the left side. Whereas the bridge is about to fall to the hands from the invaders, three small groups of militiamans are able to reinforce the defenders. During four hours, one exchanges a heavy fire, until Independencia — in spite of a series of urgent messages sent behind the lines — maybe with court of ammunition. This same moment, two Mexican guns melted and third fell from its mounting. Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Peñúñuri of Independencia leads a handle of man in a load to the desperate bayonet and is mown by the enemy salvos. (Itself and the Captain Luis Martínez of Castro, which had accompanied it, will be buried later, with the military honors, in a monument with the doors of the convent). The officers of Bravos try to hoist a white flag with three recoveries, but are prevented by it by the San Patricios which know what awaits them if they are made prisoners. (soixante-douze of them will be finally captured and will pass into short-martial for desertion, including their chief, Jon Riley.)

Finally, the Captain James Mr. Smith, of infantry U.S., climbs on the walls of the convent and hoists to him even a white flag, in order to discourage his troops of all excesses, whereas they penetrate in the convent without defense. Arriving a few minutes later, General Twiggs greets the Mexican commanders, deploying all the military decorum, then request with the Anaya General to give his ammunition to him. It is claimed that Anaya would have answered, " If I had ammunition, you would not be ici."

Continuations of the combat

A brigade of volunteers of New York and South Carolina will be confined in the convent until the September 7th. While leaving, they will take along spoils as much than they can carry, will degrade the buildings and will destroy the vegetable garden about it.

After its victory of Churubusco, the army of Scott is not any more but to 8 km of Mexico City City.

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.

The Proving Ground in Mexico City By John C. Waugh
Official Report off the Battles off Will counter & Churubusco
Bataille of Churubusco sonofthesouth.net

See too

latinamericanstudies.org Plans and drawings of time of the battle.
aztecclub.com drawings of time of the battle.

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