It Begins In Texas

[Craig Tx]

From the Texas State Historical Association

First battle of Mexican War fought in South Texas

On this day in 1846, the battle of Palo Alto, the first major engagement of the Mexican War, was fought. At the site north of Brownsville, American forces under Gen. Zachary Taylor clashed with Mexican troops commanded by Gen. Mariano Arista. The battle, which began about 2:00 P.M. and lasted until twilight, resulted in a standoff. After darkness ended the action, both armies bivouacked on the battlefield. Of 3,461 troops that formed the Mexican Army of the North, Arista's commissary reported 102 killed, 129 wounded, and 26 missing, including deserters. The American army, which totaled over 2,200 soldiers, reported five dead and forty-three wounded. The Mexican army was decisively defeated the following day at the battle of Resaca de la Palma.


Craig

[greyhunter]

Good outcome!

[Craig Tx]

Actually the area the battle was fought in was disputed territory.  Mexico never recognized the Republic of Texas (RoT), and in spite of not recognizing it, claimed the border was actually the Nueces River, and not the Rio Grande.

The RoT claimed the Rio Grande at Independence which is probably the crux of the biscuit.  Regardless, Mexico at that time (and probably still today with some factions) still sees Texas as Mexican territory by rights.  So it was a matter of contention between the US and Mexico whether "US troops were killed on US soil", or that Mexican troops were defending an invasion.

Much has been written and argued over this by historians.  I recently read Blood Over Texas by Sanford H Montaigne (Blood over Texas: Sanford H Montaigne: 9780870003424: Amazon.com: Books) which presents a counter point to the popular US picking on a smaller/weaker nation view which is common in today's history classes.

Craig