Showing results for "battle of monterrey"
Mexican-American War 170th: Vera Cruz Landings
Cannon pointed out of their gun ports, aimed at the walled city in the distance. With commands to fire, the naval ordnance roared to life and the guns recoiled, pulling their holding ropes taught. Dirty white smoke fluttered across the ocean waves disrupted by the shelling. The firing didn’t last long—only long enough for some […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: The Politics of Command
On November 19, 1846 Winfield Scott went to see President James Polk and the Secretary of War. Convening at the Executive Mansion, the three sat to talk about the ongoing war with Mexico. As the commanding general of the United States Army, Scott had kept close tabs on the operations of Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor […]
Read more...Book Review: The Boy Generals: George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, from the Gettysburg Retreat Through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864
The Boy Generals: George Custer, Wesley Merritt, and the Cavalry of the Army of the Potomac, from the Gettysburg Retreat Through the Shenandoah Valley Campaign of 1864. By Adolfo Ovies. El Dorado Hills, CA: Savas Beatie, 2024. Hardcover, 352 pp. $34.95. Reviewed by Robert M. Dunkerly In The Boy Generals, author Adolfo Ovies explores the […]
Read more...Civil War Surprises: Santiago Vidaurri’s Tempting Offer
In 1861 the Confederacy dispatched envoys, diplomats, and agents abroad in attempts to secure foreign recognition and international prestige. The most well-known of these became the Trent affair. A far more obscure effort was that of José Augustín Quintero, a Cuban-born Texas resident. Enlisting in the Quitman Rifles in 1861, Quintero was quickly dispatched to […]
Read more...“I Felt Keenly All the Horrors of War”: Psychological Experiences of Civil War Generals During the Mexican War
There is no shortage of connections between the Mexican War (1846-48) and the American Civil War. When Lee and Grant met at Appomattox in April 1865, the two adversaries eased the tension by evoking memories of the Mexican War. Lee and Grant were just two of the 336 of 1,008 Civil War generals (33%) who […]
Read more...The Irascible William Lear
ECW welcomes back guest author Frank Jastrzembski Superintendent Sylvanus Thayer stressed the importance of conduct to young cadets studying at the U.S. Military Academy during his sixteen years in this position, emphasizing that they should not only become well-versed in the art of war, but they should remember to always be obedient and act as “gentlemen.” […]
Read more...Poor George Stevens
Emerging Civil War is pleased to welcome back guest author Frank Jastrzembski In his book Two Wars (1901), Confederate General Samuel G. French still remembered clearly the tragic demise of a classmate and friend. Lieutenant George Stevens was not yet 25 years old when he drowned crossing the Rio Grande River on May 18, 1846. French […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: Fort Brown Gets Its Name
On May 17, 1846 Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor, pausing to reflect in the wake of his army’s victories against Mexican forces, published General Orders No. 62. “In memory of the gallant commander who nobly fell in its defence, the field-work constructed by the labor of the troops opposite Matamoras will be known as ‘Fort Brown,’” […]
Read more...Mexican-American War 170th: “The Dogs of War are Now Indeed Let Loose”
In the month since the Army of Occupation under Zachary Taylor had arrived at the Rio Grande, they had started construction of a series of forts, and stared warily across the river at Mexican forces in Matamoros. The tension continued to build, and nearly came to a boiling point with the murder of Col. Truman […]
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