Battle of Cerro Gordo

Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Cerro Gordo


caption=
partof=the Mexican-American War
date=April 18, 1847
place=Cerro Gordo, near Xalapa, Veracruz
result=American victory
combatant1=United States
combatant2=Mexico
commander1=Winfield Scott
commander2=Antonio López de Santa Anna
strength1=8,500
strength2=9.000-10,000
casualties1=63 killed
367 wounded
casualties2=1,200 total casualties
†General Ciriaco Vasquez (c436 killed and c764 wounded)**
3,000+ captured
including Generals Luis Pinzon,
Jose M. Jarrero,
R. Diaz de La Vega,
Manuel Norriega
& Jose Obando.
40 Guns

The Battle of Cerro Gordo in the Mexican-American War saw Winfield Scott's US troops flank and drive Santa Anna's larger Mexican army from a strong defensive position.

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. Represented were the remnants of the Division of the North (5,650 total: 150 Artillery, 4,000 Infantry & 1,500 Cavalry: Ampudia Brigade (3d,4th,5th & 11th Line Infantry Regiments), Vasquez Brigade (1st,2d,3d & 4th Light Infantry Regiments) and Juvera Cavalry Brigade (5th, 9th Morelia & Coraceros Cavalry Regiments), plus reinforcements from the Capitol: Rangel Brigade (6th Infantry Regiment, Grenadiers of the Guard,Libertad & Galeana Battalions, two Cavalry Squadrons & 8 guns), Pinzon Brigade, Arteaga Brigade (Puebla Activo & Natl Guards Battalions)& Canalizo Special Cavalry Division (Army corps of engineers Capt. Robert E. Lee 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, routing Santa Anna's force.

Results

Mexicans lost 1,000 killed and wounded with 3,000 further taken prisoner. The U.S. had 64 killed and 353 wounded. General Santa Anna was caught off guard by the Fourth Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and he was forced to ride off without his artificial leg, which was captured and is still displayed in Illinois.

This battle has been called "the Battle of Thermopylae of the West" because the use of terrain was similar to the maneuver that the Persians used to eventually defeat the Greeks. However, casualties were dissimilar: the attacking American casualties were moderate while the defending Mexican casualties were heavy, which was opposite to Thermopylae.

Despite the rout, members of the Saint Patrick's Battalion provided the Mexicans with the greatest opposition to US forces in this battle. They had the most to fear being captured by the Americans, leading them to threaten fellow Mexican combatants with friendly fire who were intent on retreating (or surrendering). Because of heavy artillery engagement by Americans the battalion's members had to spend most of their time returning volley at the Americans, therefore its unlikely that more than a few "friendly fire" incidents actually took place.

Aftermath

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

There were five 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, Lieutenant John G. Foster and Lieutenant P.G.T. Beauregard. All went on to serve as generals in the American Civil War (1861–1865).

Eponyms

Cerro Gordo County, Iowa and Cerro Gordo, Illinois take their names from the battle, much as Resaca, Georgia is named for the Battle of Resaca de la Palma.

Cerro Gordo, North Carolina supposedly takes its name from the battle.

References

** If the same ratios of killed/wounded applied as at Buena Vista.
* "The Encyclopedia of Military History", Dupuy and Dupuy. Harper & Row, Publishers.
* [http://www.il.ngb.army.mil/museum/Static/santa.htm Dead Link]
*"Apuntes para la historia de la guerra entre México y los Estados Unidos". Alcaraz, Ramón. Mexico City.
* "The Other Side: Or, Notes for the History of the War between Mexico and the United States", translated and edited in the United States by Albert C. Ramsey, New York: John Wiley, 1850.