Texas. “Flying Artillery” and the First Battle of the Mexican-American War
It’s likely that few Americans can explain the location or significance of Palo Alto Battlefield. The battlefield is positioned in the extreme southern part of Texas, a few kilometers north of the Rio Grande and the City of Brownsville. Whereas the battle itself doesn’t compare in significance to Gettysburg or the fight over Midway Island during World War II, the conflict in southern Texas was a prequel to an American invasion of Mexico and the U.S. annexation of territory that included present-day California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and parts of Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. This single land acquisition added more than 1.3 million square kilometers to the U.S., nearly as much as the Louisiana Purchase (2.1 million km2).
The Mexican-American War began in 1845, shortly after the U.S. annexed Texas. At the time, many Mexicans didn’t recognize the independence of Texas as established by the U.S.-Mexican Treaty of Velasco. On April 30, 1846, Mexican troops under General Mariano Arista crossed the Rio Grande into disputed Texas territory, attacking a U.S. garrison commanded by U.S. General Zachary Taylor. Artista considered Palo Alto to be an ideal location to attack Taylor because it had a large expanse of open ground that would enable his cavalry and infantry to easily maneuver. Facing north, Arista’s 3,709 strong army consisted of infantry, cavalry, and artillery crews equipped with four and eight-pound cannon. Opposing him were Taylor’s 2,300 soldiers including artillery crews armed with six and eighteen-pound cannon.
The battle began at 2:00pm and lasted until sunset. Using a tactic known as “Flying Artillery,” U.S. forces deployed cannon mounted on light carriages that could be quickly repositioned. The nimble U.S. artillery crews soon demonstrated themselves to be more effective than their opposition. Mexican gun crews were also plagued by inferior gunpowder and cannon with slow muzzle velocities. As the sun went down, Artista ordered a charge aimed at neutralizing American artillery. Armed with smoothbore, flintlock rifles, his infantry was cut down by crossfire and grapeshot. By nightfall, the battle had evolved into an American victory with Arista loosing 102 men killed, 129 wounded, and 26 missing. In contrast, U.S. forces suffered five dead and 43 wounded. The next morning Artista’s forces moved south in an effort to minimize the American advantage. Shortly after, the two sides engaged again in the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, another American win. Although Mexico had declared war on the U.S., the proclamation didn’t reach U.S. President Polk until May 9. On May 12 the U.S. reciprocated by declaring war on Mexico.
Located about eight kilometers north of Brownsville, Palo Alto Battlefield can be reached from FM 1847. The turn-off is just north of the intersection of FM 1847 and TX 550. Our tour of the battlefield began at the visitor center. After watching a movie and viewing interpretive displays, we walked a few kilometers northwest on Battlefield Trail. The Mexican Line Trail branches to the right but we continued towards a covered overlook and the U.S. Line Trail.
At one place along the trail was an American eighteen-pound cannon (cannon were named for the weight of the ball they fired). The most common used by the Mexicans during the battle was the eight-pound French Canon de 8 Gribeauval, capable of firing two rounds per minute. U.S. “Flying Artillery” crews used the M1864, a six-pound field gun that could fire a projectile 1,392 meters.
Today, Mexican and U.S. flags mark the former positions of troops. We stopped to view interpretive signs inside the covered overlook that offered information about troop positions and movements. After the war General Mariano Arista (1802-1855) served as Minister of War and then President of Mexico (1850-1853). He was eventually removed from office by Antonio López de Santa Anna who succeeded him as President. Among American officers serving in Taylor’s force was Lt. George Meade who later commanded U.S. armies during the U.S. Civil War.
