Born:
November 24, 1784
The American force of 2,228 found its route blocked by a Mexican army more than twice its size. On May 8 at Palo Alto, 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Fort Texas, Mexican Gen. Mariano Arista opened cannon fire, and Taylor retaliated. Palo Alto was the war's first battle. It was a minor U. S. victory, which demonstrated the superiority of American artillery.
The Battle of Buena Vista on Feb. 22-23, 1847, marked the climax of Taylor's Mexican War service. He was outnumbered by Santa Anna four to one. Amid crags and gullies near Saltillo, the doughty commander halted waves of mounted and dismounted assailants and turned the tide in counterassaults. After two days of struggle, Santa Anna retreated from the rugged terrain. The field and the victory were Taylor's.
Died:
July 9, 1850
Place of Birth:
Montebello, Virginia
Military University:
none
Wars Fought:
-War of 1812
-Black Hawk War (1832)
-Second Seminole War in Florida (1835-42)
-Mexican War
Mexican War:
Early in 1846 the order came. Advancing to his new supply base at Point Isabel, General Taylor ordered the construction of Fort Texas on the American side of the Rio Grande opposite Matamoros. Nearby on April 25 about 1,600 Mexican soldiers, who had crossed the river, surrounded an American detachment and killed or captured its members. This was the unofficial start of the Mexican War. Taylor set out for Point Isabel to secure his base and, after several days devoted to strengthening its defenses, began a return march to relieve Fort Texas, which had come under Mexican bombardment.
