With the start of the Mexican-American War, President Polk launched an ambitious plan of attack. He would have three armies press into Mexico, seizing the territory he wanted to annex. There would be the Army of Occupation (General Zachary Taylor's forces on the Rio Grande), the Army of the Center (General John E. Wool in San Antonio who would march for Chihuahua), and the Army of the West (Colonel Stephen Watts Kearny who would secure New Mexico and California). Of course, the US Army was tiny, fewer than 10,000 regular troops. As such, volunteers were needed. In Missouri, the 1st Missouri Mounted Volunteers were raised and joined Colonel Kearny at Fort Leavenworth. As a volunteer regiment, the men elected their officers. Alexander Doniphan, a noted lawyer from Liberty, MO, was chosen as Colonel. Doniphan's Regiment (856 men) constituted the largest part of Kearny's army and this made him the second in command of the Army of the West!
The march across Kansas began in late June. By mid-August, the army had captured New Mexico without firing a shot. Kearny claimed the territory for the US and put Doniphan in charge of establishing a government for the region. When Kearny left for California in September, Doniphan was left as military governor. Now responsible for the populace, Doniphan set out to treat with the native tribes, most notably the Navajo. He secured peace, in theory, before he set off to meet General Wool. He started toward El Paso in early December. On Christmas Day, the 1st Missouri had its first battle. They defeated a larger Mexican force at El Brazito and marched into El Paso soon after. There was no sign of General Wool.
General Wool had left San Antonio in September and marched to Monclova. Rather than go to Chihuahua, he was ordered to reinforce General Taylor at Saltillo. Of course, Doniphan didn't know this. Doniphan waited in El Paso just long enough for the artillery to arrive then marched toward Chihuahua. On the last day of February, the 1st Missouri once again met a larger Mexican force. Moreover, they were entrenched. By flanking the Mexican positions and using their wagons as mobile armor, the Americans trounced the Mexican forces. Soon after, they occupied Chihuahua City.
The 1st Missouri were not suited to garrison duty. Also, the one-year enlistment was drawing to a close. Doniphan sent an express to General Wool to find out what he should do. The orders came in late April: march to Saltillo. On the way, a detachment of Doniphan's forces assisted Mexicans in recovering kidnapped women and children along with cattle from a band of Comanche. When the 1st Missouri arrived in Saltillo, General Wool saw a ragged bunch of unshaved men, no two of whom wore the same uniform. He congratulated them on their victories, thanked them for their service, and sent them on their way back to Missouri. When they met General Taylor outside Monterrey, he offered similar sentiments. The men liked his informal attire.
Joseph C. Dawson III has written an outstanding book, offering a detailed account of all facets of Doniphan's March, from the raising of the companies from specific counties along the Missouri River to the fate of the more noteworthy survivors (especially as regards the Civil War). The audacity of Doniphan to march such a small army deep into enemy territory and succeed is something to behold. It is no wonder he was compared with Xenophon, a Greek general who successfully fought his way out of enemy territory. Here is a straight history book that is a real page turner!
Highly recommended.
No comments:
Post a Comment