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Information About

Battle Of Cerro Gordo




  partof the Mexican-American War
  date April 18 , 1847
  place Cerro Gordo , Veracruz
  result US victory
  combatant1 United States
  combatant2 Mexico
  commander1 Winfield Scott
  commander2 Antonio López De Santa Anna
  strength1 8,500
  strength2 12,000
  casualties1 417
  casualties2 4,000 Gen Ciriaco Vasquez dead GensPinzon, Jarrero, La Vega, Norriega & Obando captured


The Battle of Cerro Gordo was a Battle Of The Mexican-American War .


PRELUDE

United States forces captured the port of Veracruz on March 27 , 1847 . Following this, General Winfield Scott advanced toward Mexico City .


ACTION

General Antonio López De Santa Anna , commanding Mexican forces in the area, blocked Scott's march at Cerro Gordo , near Xalapa , with more than 12,000 soldiers in a fortified defile. Scott's Corps Of Engineers discovered a mountain trail around Santa Anna's position. Scott quickly moved the main body of his command along the trail, flanking the Mexicans. A sharp action ensued on April 18 , 1847 , Rout ing Santa Anna's force. Mexicans lost 1,000 killed and wounded with 3,000 further taken prisoner. The U.S. lost 64 killed and 353 wounded. General Santa Anna, while eating a roast Chicken during battle, was so caught off guard by the Fourth Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry that he was forced to ride off without his artificial leg, which was captured and is still displayed in Illinois .

Because of the terrain and the successful flanking maneuver used in the encounter, this battle has been called "the Battle Of Thermopylae of the West".

Scott moved on to Puebla , 75 miles (120 km) from Mexico City, where he halted on May 15 , 1847 .

There were four company grade officers in Scott's corp of engineers who were of significant historical interest; Captain Robert E. Lee , Captain George B. McClellan , Captain Joseph E. Johnston and Lieutenant P.G.T. Beauregard . All went on to serve as generals in the American Civil War (1861–1865).


REFERENCES

  • ''The Encyclopedia of Military History'', Dupuy and Dupuy. Harper & Row, Publishers.

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