Sit of Puebla (1847)

See also: Head office of Puebla (homonymy)

The Siège of Puebla begins the September 14th 1847, the very same day or Winfield Scott takes Mexico City, and lasts 28 days until reinforcements can raise the seat.

Context

The General Winfield Scott placed a series of garrisons throughout the road leading of Veracruz to Mexico City in order to ensure the safety of his line of provisioning. One of these garrisons is in station in the town of Puebla, to approximately two thirds of the way of Mexico City from the coast. The garrison is ordered by Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Childs. Childs has 500 men to keep the city. After the falls of Mexico City, the General Antonio López de Santa Anna divides his troops and with half among it will try to take again Puebla. The General Joaquín Rea order forces of Guerilla in the area of Puebla.

The seat

The September 14th, the forces of Rea start to invest the accesses of the city and begin the seat. The US forces hold three strong points of the city: a convent, strong Loretto and the citadel of San Jose. The Mexicans lead out of the city a great quantity of bétaille, but Child manages to preserve some sufficiently to avoid a risk of famine.

The September 16th, Rea requires of the garrison to go, but Child refuses. Rea attacks the citadel of San Jose and is pushed back.

The September 22nd, Santa Anna arrives at Puebla and request officially with Child to go, once again this one refuses. The Mexicans then give the attack to the convent and are pushed back.

At the end of September, Santa Anna takes along a little less than half of the forces assiégeantes and leaves towards the east to face possible American reinforcements which could come from Veracruz. American benefits from the reduction in the quota Mexicans to take again certain strong points.

Reinforcements

The army of Winfield Scott with Mexico City cannot come to assistance of the troops of Puebla because the roads — passing to the feet volcanos Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl — are insuperable with the carriages, because of the recent rains. However, the roads coming from Veracruz are always suitable for motor vehicles. At the beginning of August 1847, Veracruz tried to send reinforcements to Puebla, there but those could not arrive because of the operations of the Mexican guerilla.

The September 19th, the Major-general Joseph Lane leaves Veracruz with 1 ' 700 men. On its way, it takes along with him of new units, carrying its forces with 3 ' 000 men.

The October 9th Lane meets and demolishes the forces of Santa Anna at the time of the Bataille of Huamantla in the state of Tlaxcala. This battle marks the end of the military career of Santa Anna and opens the way towards Puebla. After having put at bag Huamantla, Lane advances towards Puebla and the October 12th meets the forces of Rea and spawning time a way to make its connection with Child. Rea has of another choice only to raise the seat and to make retirement.

Consequences

The Siège off Puebla was the last significant threat against the American forces in the center of Mexico. The raids of the guerilla will continue and the road of provisioning will remain the privileged target about it. The Lane General will continue to direct the operations counter insurgency until in 1848.

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.

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