Battle of Will counter

The Bataille of Will counter also named Bataille of Padierna (in the Hispanic world) is held in the night of the 19 to the August 20th 1847 during the final stage of the américano-Mexican Guerre, with Contreras, one of the districts of Mexico City. She opposes the army American, strong of 8 ' 500 men, ordered by the General Winfield Scott with the Mexican, strong army of 20 ' 000 men, ordered by the generals Antonio López de Santa Anna and Gabriel Valencia. She concludes herself by a victory from the the United States.

Context

After the superb victory at the time of the Battle of Cerro Gordo, the April 18th 1847, the American army goes to Jalapa and Puebla, where it is found in a beautiful area, productive and healthy, well far from the fevers of the coast. Scott awaits there reinforcements and, perhaps, some peace overture on behalf of the Mexican government. But rather quickly it notes the problems which the provisioning of its army causes since the base of Veracruz. The road, since its bases of Jalapa and Puebla, to the east coast long and infested Mexican guerillas, it cannot divert enough of men to ensure the safety as of its convoys of provisioning. Vis-a-vis this dilemma, Scott makes a bold decision: it gives up its long chain of provisioning and consolidates its position with Puebla. Its army will survive on what it will be able to tear off with the country and its inhabitants.

With the surprise general, that functions. Mexico City does not make any request for negotiations but Scott is able to maintain its army in a position to fight during all of summer. When the reinforcements arrive, carrying his troops with approximately 13 ' 000 man, it decides that it is time to advance towards Mexico City.

Approaches Mexico City

In the south of Mexico City, in front of the town of San Antonio, American finds itself vis-a-vis defenders occupying of the particularly strong and strategic positions. Scott turns again towards its engineers and in particular to Lee, to find an alternative to an absurdity attacks frontal.

Lee, again provides him a solution. The particularly broken ground of this area, which includes/understands the Pedregal , perhaps qualified insuperable and purer place of desolation than an army ever met, sterile a No-man' S-Land which makes think of an ocean of lava unchained which would have suddenly solidified.

It is fissured, dug caves, is roughcast pointed outcrops and is stripped of life. Santa Anna does not leave practically any guard in this place where, he thinks, it is not easy to advance a herd of goats and a fortiori a whole army. But Lee finds a passage and directs its workmen in order to cut a way with the army of Scott to the town of Contreras. This passage allowing part of the troops to attack the side of the Mexican positions. Whereas the other part of the troops masses in front of San Antonio.

The battle

The commander and Mexican president Antonio López de Santa Anna send a force of 5 ' 000 men ordered by the General Gabriel Valencia to be opposed to American who emerges in Contreras. Troops U.S. attack and put in rout the army of Valencia at Contreras.

With the rout of Valencia 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.

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 Will counter 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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