The Battle of Veracruz was a 20-day A siege is a prolonged military blockade and assault of a city or fortress with the intent of conquering by force or attrition. A siege occurs when an attacker encounters a city or fortress that refuses to surrender and cannot be easily taken by a frontal assault. Sieges usually involve... siege of the key The United Mexican States or Mexico ( Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos or México; regarding the use of the variant spelling Méjico, see section The name below) is a country located in North America, bordered to the north by the United States of America, to the southeast by... Mexican seaport of Veracruz is the name of both a state in Mexico and that states largest city. This article is about the city. For the state, see: state of Veracruz. The city of Veracruz is a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It... Veracruz, Veracruz, during the The Mexican-American War was a war fought between the United States and Mexico between 1846 and 1848. It is also called the US-Mexico War. In the US it is also known as the Mexican War; in Mexico it is also known as the North American Invasion of Mexico... Mexican-American War. Lasting from March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). There are 297 days remaining. Events 1276 - Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City 1765 - After a public campaign by the writer Voltaire, judges in Paris posthumously exonerate Jean Calas of murdering his son... March 9 to March 29 is the 88th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (89th in Leap years). There are 277 days remaining. Events up to 19th century 1461 - Wars of the Roses: Battle of Towton - Edward of York defeats Queen Margaret to become King Edward IV of England. 1638 - Swedish... March 29, Events January January 4 - Samuel Colt sells his first revolver pistol to the United States government. January 13 - The Treaty of Cahuenga ends the Mexican-American War in California. January 16 - John C. Fremont is appointed Governor of the new California Territory. January 30 - Yerba Buena, California is renamed San... 1847, it began with the first large-scale Landing ship Rapière Amphibious warfare is the assault of an objective located on land by a force attacking from ships. It requires landing craft to transport troops to land from the ships which carry them to the area to be assaulted. An amphibious assault is one of the most... amphibious assault conducted by The United States of America — also referred to as the United States, the U.S.A., the U.S., America¹, the States, or (archaically) Columbia — is a federal republic of 50 states located primarily in central North America (with the exception of two states: Alaska and Hawaii... United States military forces, and ended with the surrender and occupation of the city. US forces then marched inland to Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México) is the federal capital of and largest city in Mexico. It geographically spans the Distrito Federal (D.F.) and part of the state of México to the north of the Federal District. Mexico City is the largest city in North America and... Mexico City.

Backgound

After the battles of The Battle of Monterrey (September 21-September 23, 1846) was an engagement in the Mexican-American War in which General Pedro de Ampudia and the Mexican Army of the North managed to fight US troops to a standstill at the important fortress town of Monterrey. After a number of embarrassing... Monterrey and The Battle of Buena Vista was a land battle of the Mexican_American War fought on 23 February 1847 in Buena Vista, seven miles (12 km) south of Mexico. On February 22 and 23 February 1847, approximately 20,000 soldiers of the Mexican Army under Gen. Antonio López de Santa... Buena Vista fighing in northern Mexico subsided. Much of Zachary Taylor ( November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850), also known as Old Rough and Ready, was the twelfth President of the United States, serving from 1849 to 1850. Taylor was noted for his extensive military career, becoming the first president not previously elected to any other public office. He... Zachary Taylor's Army of Occupation was transfered to the command of Insignia of a United States Air Force Major General German Generalmajor Insignia Major General is a military rank used in many countries. It is derieved from the older rank of Sergeant Major General. A major general is a high-ranking officer subordinate to a full General. In the United States... Major General Winfield Scott Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786 – May 29, 1866) was a United States general, diplomat, and presidential candidate. Some historians rate him the ablest American general of his time. Scott was born on his familys farm near Petersburg, Virginia. He attended the College of William & Mary... Winfield Scott. After deliberating on the next course of action, Scott and other Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Washington officials came to the agreement that a landing would be made at Veracruz is the name of both a state in Mexico and that states largest city. This article is about the city. For the state, see: state of Veracruz. The city of Veracruz is a major port city on the Gulf of Mexico in the Mexican state of Veracruz. It... Veracruz, The United Mexican States or Mexico ( Spanish: Estados Unidos Mexicanos or México; regarding the use of the variant spelling Méjico, see section The name below) is a country located in North America, bordered to the north by the United States of America, to the southeast by... Mexico which would provide a staging point for a further advance inland.

Forces

U.S.

Scott had under his command 12,000 troops in 3 divisions for the expedition:

• 1st Divisions of Regulars - William Jenkins Worth was a United States general during the Mexican-American War Early Life Worth was born on March 1, 1794 in Hudson, New York. He received common schooling as a child and moved to Albany where he was working as a merchant when the War of 1812 began... William J. Worth
• 2nd Division of Regulars - David Emmanuel Twiggs ( 1790- 1862) was a United States soldier during the War of 1812 and Mexican War and a general in the Confederates States army during the Civil War. Twiggs was born in Richmond County, Georgia and volunteered for service in the War of 1812. He subsequently served in... David E. Twiggs
• 3rd Division of Volunteers - Robert Patterson ( January 12, 1792- August 7, 1881) was an Irish immigrant and a noted soldier and businessman from Pennsylvania. Patterson was born in Cappagh, County Tyrone, Ireland. His family was banished from Ireland due to his fathers involvement as an insurrectionist. He immigrated to the United States where... Robert Patterson

Worth's and Twiggs' regulars had previously seen action at the The Battle of Monterrey (September 21-September 23, 1846) was an engagement in the Mexican-American War in which General Pedro de Ampudia and the Mexican Army of the North managed to fight US troops to a standstill at the important fortress town of Monterrey. After a number of embarrassing... battle of Monterrey and two of Patterson's brigade were commanded by two generals with notable skill: John Anthony Quitman (September 1, 1798–July 17, 1858) was an American politician. He was a Whig party member who served as Governor of Mississippi from 1835 to 1836 and again from 1850 to 1851. Categories: People stubs | 1798 births | 1858 deaths | Governors of Mississippi ... John A. Quitman and James Shields (born either in 1806 or 1810 records conflict, died June 1, 1879) was an American politician who was born in Ireland. Shields, a Democrat, is the only person in United States history to serve as a U.S. Senator for three different states. An interesting fact about Shields... James Shields. Also included in the expedition was a brigade of cavalry under William Selby Harney (22 August 1800 - 9 May 1889) was a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War and the Indian Wars. Harney started his military career in 1818 as a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Infantry and served with distinction during the... William S. Harney. Offshore bombardment was to be provided by the navy under Commodore The Right Reverend David John Conner is Dean of Windsor and Bishop to the Armed Forces. Commodore David Conner (1792-1856) served in the United States Navy. This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. If an article... David Conner. Scott requested special landing crafts for his expedition and the first ever were constructed in This article refers to the largest city of Pennsylvania. For other uses, see Philadelphia (disambiguation) Independence Hall Philadelphia (often referred to as Philly) is the sixth-largest city in the United States and the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, occupying all of Philadelphia County.6 As of the... Philadelphia by George M. Totten.

Mexican

Veracruz was considered to be the strongest fortress in the western hemisphere at the time. Brigadier General Juan Morales commanded a garrison of 3,360 men which manned three major forts guarding Veracruz:

• Fort Santiago - south end of town
• Fort Concepción - north end of town
• Fort San Juan de Ulúa - offshore on the Gallega Reef

The city itself was completely surrounded by a 15 foot wall. The defenses contained about 235 guns, 135 of these in Fort Ulúa alone. It was believed that even if the city fell, Ulúa could hold out much longer bottling up the city's port. Because Morales' garrison was small in numbers he decided not to risk the American forces in open battle and instead stayed within the fortresses. In doing so he left the beaches ungaurded which offered an inviting target for Scott's army.

Landings

The amphibious landing at the Battle of Veracruz, painted by N. Currier in the 1840s. The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years...

The amphibious landing at the Battle of Veracruz, painted by N. Currier in the 1840s. The two-dimensional work of art depicted in this image is in the public domain in the United States and in those countries with a copyright term of life of the author plus 100 years...

The amphibious assault on Veracruz

The American Army/Navy force arrived off Veracruz in early For alternative meanings, see March (disambiguation). March is the third month of the year in the Gregorian Calendar and one of seven Gregorian months with the length of 31 days. March begins (astrologically, non-sidereal) with the sun in the sign of Pisces and ends in the sign of Aries... March. Scott surveyed the defenses and concluded that the city would not fall to an artillery bombardment alone. He selcted the landings to take place at Collado Beach 3 miles south of Verzcruz. The 1st Regular Division under Worth was chosen to make the landing. Connor's ships moved to within 90 yards of the beach to supply covering fire if necessary. At 3:30 on March 9 is the 68th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (69th in Leap years). There are 297 days remaining. Events 1276 - Augsburg becomes an Imperial Free City 1765 - After a public campaign by the writer Voltaire, judges in Paris posthumously exonerate Jean Calas of murdering his son... March 9 the 1st Division in the specialized landing crafts was rowed ashore. Just before the main force touched the beach, a gig dashed ahead and General Worth jumped out into shoulder deep water and waded ashore, to be the first man on the beach. Worth's whole division landed without firing a single shot or receiving and single shot. By 11:00 that night, Scott's entire army was brought ashore, the first large scale amphiboius landing the U.S. conducted was a success.

The Siege

Encirclement

Once ashore Patterson's division began marching northward to effect a complete encirclement of the city. One of Patterson's brigades under Gideon J. Pillow drove off a Mexican cavalry at Malibran, cutting off the city's water supply. Quitman and Shields both managed to drive off further cavalry charged to prevent the investment. Three days later the U.S. had completed a 7 mile siege line from Collado in the south to Vergana in the north.

Investment

A norther blew in and prevented Scott from landing his siege guns for a time. In the meantime the besiegers were plagued by sorties from the city and Guerrilla (also called a partisan) is a term borrowed from Spanish (from guerra meaning war) used to describe small combat groups. Guerrilla warfare operates with small, mobile and flexible combat groups called cells, without a front line. Guerrilla warfare is one of the oldest forms of asymmetric warfare. Primary contributors... guerrilla attacks. Colonel Juan Aquayo used the cover of the storm to slip the Alvarado garrison into Veracruz. General Patterson expressed hi oppinion of taking the city by storm. Scott declined such a notion stating he wished to lose no more than 100 men. On the 18th the artillery arrived and Scott concluded he could reduce the city with what he had but not Fort Ulúa. On March 21, Commodore Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794 - March 4, 1858) was the Commodore of the U.S. Navy who forced the opening of Japan to the West with the Convention of Kanagawa in 1854, under the threat of military force. Early Life and Naval Career Born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island... Matthew C. Perry, Conner's second-in-command, returned from Norfolk, Virginia, viewed from Portsmouth, across the Elizabeth River Norfolk is a city in the U.S. state of Virginia in the United States of America. It is an independent city, and therefore part of no county. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 234... Norfolk, Virginia after making repairs on the Four ships of the United States Navy have been named USS Mississippi in honor of the 20th state. The first USS Mississippi, a sidewheel steamer, saw action in the Mexican-American War and was lost during the American Civil War. The second USS Mississippi (BB-23), the lead ship of... USS Mississippi, with orders to replace Conner in command of the squadron. Perry and Conner met with Scott regarding the navy's role in the siege and Perry offered 6 guns that were to be manned by sailors from the ships. Back onshore under the direction of Captain For the author of Inherit the Wind and other works, see Robert Edwin Lee. Robert Edward Lee, as a U.S. Army Colonel before the war Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807–October 12, 1870) was a career army officer and the most successful general of the Confederate forces... Robert E. Lee a battery emplacement was constructed 700 yards from the city walls with the army and naval siege guns put in place. On March 22 Morales declined a surrender demand from Scott and the American batteries opened fire. The Mexican batteries responded with accuracy, although few Americans became casualties because of it. The Congreve Rocket was a British weapon designed by William Congreve in 1804. The British had become interested in the concept following the use of rockets against their troops in France in the 1790s. Several inventors made attempts but the design of Congreve was accepted following a successful demonstration in... Congreve rockets were fired into the defenses and started a fire in Fort Santiago which drove the Mexican gunners from their post. Mexican moral began to drop.

On March 24 is the 83rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (84th in Leap years). There are 282 days remaining. Events up to 19th century 1603 - James I becomes King of England. 1765 - American Revolutionary War: The Kingdom of Great Britain passes the Quartering Act that requires the... March 24, Persifor F. Smith's brigade captured a Mexican soldier with reports that Antonio L pez de Santa Anna P rez de Lebr n (sometimes spelled de Santa Ana) (February 21, 1794 - 21 June 1876) was a Mexican general and dictator. Antonio L pez de Santa Anna Antonio L pez was born to lower-middle class parents in Xalapa, his father a minor... Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna was marching an army from Mexico City (Spanish: Ciudad de México) is the federal capital of and largest city in Mexico. It geographically spans the Distrito Federal (D.F.) and part of the state of México to the north of the Federal District. Mexico City is the largest city in North America and... Mexico City to the relief of Veracruz. Scott dispatched William Selby Harney (22 August 1800 - 9 May 1889) was a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War and the Indian Wars. Harney started his military career in 1818 as a second lieutenant in the 1st U.S. Infantry and served with distinction during the... Colonel Harney with 100 A light dragoon from the American Revolution A dragoon is a soldier trained to fight on foot, but transport himself on horseback. In other words, they move as cavalry but fight as infantry. The name derives from their primary weapon, a carbine or short musket called the dragon. Sometimes dragon... dragoons to inspect any approaches that Santa Anna might make. Harney reported about 2,000 Mexicans and a battery not far away and called for reinforcements. General Patterson led a mixed group of volunteers and dragoons to Harney's aid cleared this force from thier possitions.

Surrender

With reports such as these Scott grew impatient with the siege and began planning for an assualt on the city. On March 25, the Mexicans called for a cease fire to discuss surrender terms. Mexian officials pleaded that the women and children be let out of the city. Scott refused believing this to be a delay and kept up the artillery fire. On March 25 Morales' second-in-command General José Juan Landero stepped in to save his commander the disgrace of surrender, called for a truce with the Americans. A three day negotiation followed in which the Mexicans were able to recieve terms which helped to save face. On March 29th the Mexicans officially surrendered their garrisons in Verzcruz and Fort Ulúa. That day the Flag ratio: 7:12; nicknames: Stars and Stripes, Old Glory The flag of the United States of America consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red (top and bottom) alternating with white; there is a blue rectangle in the upper hoist-side corner bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars... American flag flew over San Juan de Ulúa.

Results

Twelve days of bombardment resulting surrender of Veracruz opened the east coast of Mexico to U.S. forces. Scott had kept his promise of minimal casualties: 13 killed. Another factor Scott had less control over was the Yellow fever (also called black vomit or sometimes The American Plague) is an acute viral disease. It is still an important cause of hemorrhage illness in several African and South American countries despite existence of an effective vaccine. In the past it was a source of several devastating epidemics. The... yellow fever that had begun to settle in on his army. However Scott still began immediate plans to leave a small garrison at Veracruz and march inland, his first objective being Xalapa, sometimes spelled Jalapa, is the capital city of the Mexican state of Veracruz. In the year 2000 census, it reported a population of 390,058. The municipal seat of the municipality of Xalapa is the city of Xalapa Enríquez; in everyday usage, however, the city is generally referred... Jalapa. Along the way Scott would in fact encounter a sizeable Mexican army under Santa Anna at the The Battle of Cerro Gordo occurred during the Mexican War. After United States forces captured Veracruz on March 27, 1847, General Winfield Scott advanced toward Mexico City. General Mexican forces in the area, blocked Scott’s march at Cerro Gordo with more than 12,000 soldiers in a fortified... battle of Cerro Gordo.

Sources

• Bauer, K. Jack, "The Mexican-American War 1846-48"
• Nevin, David; editor, The Mexican War (1978)
• It Ain't New (http://www.airpower.maxwell.af.mil/airchronicles/apj/apj00/fal00/skelton.htm)
• www.aztecclub.com  (http://www.aztecclub.com/main-art.htm)

See Also

• The following are known Battles of the Mexican-American War. This list includes all major engagements and most reported skirmishes. The list includes all battles and skirmishes taking place during the Mexican_American War; this includes two major engagements, the Battle of Palo Alto, and the Battle of Resaca de la... Battles of the Mexican-American War
• This is a list of amphibious assault operations that have taken place during history. It is structured chronologically by war, then by theatre during wars such as World War II that covered large areas of the world simultaneously, and chronologically within those theatres. It also covers operations that were planned... List of amphibious assault operations