May 9th, 1846 - Resaca de la Palma

Conflict: Mexican War

Combatants: Americans vs. Mexicans

Location: Texas (USA)

Outcome: American victory

Following the breaking of the siege of Camp Texas, American General Zachary Taylor again attacked the Mexican troops who had taken up defensive positions. The American army broke the Mexican lines and sent the enemy army into rout. General Mariano Arista and the remaining forces retreated back across the Rio Grande after suffering losses of some 1100 men. The Americans lost 170 killed and wounded.

Remember Your Regiment, U.S. Army in Action Series, 2d Dragoons charge in Mexican War 1846

Points of Interest:

• On May 18th, Taylor crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico and occupied Matamoros.

• Taylor would be elected President of the United States in 1848; Arista was elected President of Mexico in 1851.

General Zachary Taylor by James Lambdin

General Mariano Arista 1847 by an unknown artist

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Sources:

Dupuy, R. Ernest & Dupuy, Trevor N. (1993). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military History. New York: HarperCollins.

Eggenberger, David (1985). An Encyclopedia of Battles: Accounts of Over 1,560 Battles from 1479 B.C. to the Present. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.