Battle of Resaca of Palma

The battles of Resaca of Palma is held the May 9th 1846 during the américano-Mexican Guerre. She opposes the general Mariano Arista ordering the Mexican army to the troops of army U.S. ordered by the general Zachary Taylor. She is held near Fort Texas (today Brownsville). She ends in the rout of the Mexican army.

Context

During the night of the May 8th, Arista, after disappointing the Battle of Palo Alto, chooses to be folded up on a more favorable position, Resaca of Palma, the bank of a dry river offering a natural rampart, where it awaits the troops of Taylor.

Engagement

In the morning of May 9th, 1  700 men of Taylor tackle a Mexican force of approximately 4  000 men. The meticulous person plans of Arista for this engagement are put at evil by the political struggles within its staff and the difficulties of communications on the very broken ground of the battle field.

The resistance of the Mexicans is sharp and forces U.S. miss losing foot, when a stroke of luck makes it possible their dragons to take by surprised the side of the Mexican lines and finally force them to beat a retreat. Two counter-attacks on the American positions are pushed back and the Mexican army flees the battle field, leaving behind it almost the totality of its artillery, the colors of Mexico and the silver service of Arista.

The embarrassment caused by this potential victory turning in cuisante demolished, makes that Arista is raised of its command of the army of North and pushes with a serious re-examination of the Mexican strategy. Unfortunately for the Mexicans, corruption and the conflicts within their government do not make it possible all the time to establish a coherent strategy which this war will last, in spite of the talents and certain successes of the Mexican army.

The site of the battle is today inside the limits of the locality of Brownsville.

Source

  • 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

See too

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