Carl Nebel was a German engineer who travelled to America in the 1830s and 1840s. He returned to Europe and in 1851 he also published twelve color lithographs based upon his paintings of the Mexican American War in a book named "The War between the United States and Mexico Illustrated", with an introduction by Alexander Humboldt.
Battle of Palo Alto - 8 May, 1846
A distinctive American victory, General Taylor used superior artillery to push the Mexican troops back across the Rio Grande. This was the only battle to take place in Texas.
A distinctive American victory, General Taylor used superior artillery to push the Mexican troops back across the Rio Grande. This was the only battle to take place in Texas.
Battle of Monterrey - 21-23 September, 1846
A Hardfought struggle, American and Mexican troops fought in urban combat, with heavy casualties on both sides. General Taylor's army managed to push the Mexican force back, and after the battle agreed to give the Mexicans a two month armistice to regroup and resupply. This outraged President Polk, and he ordered Winfield Scott, the Commander of the U.S. Army to take personal command of the campaign. Taylor was left with a much smaller force of mostly volunteers while Scott took a large army made up of regulars and push down the coast.
A Hardfought struggle, American and Mexican troops fought in urban combat, with heavy casualties on both sides. General Taylor's army managed to push the Mexican force back, and after the battle agreed to give the Mexicans a two month armistice to regroup and resupply. This outraged President Polk, and he ordered Winfield Scott, the Commander of the U.S. Army to take personal command of the campaign. Taylor was left with a much smaller force of mostly volunteers while Scott took a large army made up of regulars and push down the coast.
Battle of Buena Vista - 23 February 1847
A disastrous victory for the United States, General Santa Ana with a much larger force was pushed back by
General Taylor and his small force of volunteers. Using powerful artillery and good defensive positions, the Americans were able to repulse the Mexican Army, which was soon after recalled to Mexico City to deal with an impending revolution by people who did not like the current governmental conditions.
A disastrous victory for the United States, General Santa Ana with a much larger force was pushed back by
General Taylor and his small force of volunteers. Using powerful artillery and good defensive positions, the Americans were able to repulse the Mexican Army, which was soon after recalled to Mexico City to deal with an impending revolution by people who did not like the current governmental conditions.
Bombardment of Vera Cruz - March 1847
General Winfield Scott sailed his men to Vera Cruz and landed them in an amphibious landing that has been compared to the Normandy Landings of World War 2. He was able to capture the city and capture the fort within. He was now very close to the Mexican capital.
General Winfield Scott sailed his men to Vera Cruz and landed them in an amphibious landing that has been compared to the Normandy Landings of World War 2. He was able to capture the city and capture the fort within. He was now very close to the Mexican capital.
Battle of Cerro Gordo - 18 April 1847
In Winfield Scott's first encounter with General Santa Ana, he was able to attack a stronger Mexican Army and drive them out of good defensive positions. Using a masterful flanking allowed the American Army to fire down upon the Mexican force, forcing their withdrawal.
In Winfield Scott's first encounter with General Santa Ana, he was able to attack a stronger Mexican Army and drive them out of good defensive positions. Using a masterful flanking allowed the American Army to fire down upon the Mexican force, forcing their withdrawal.
Assault of Contreras - 19-10 August, 1847
Another furious battle between Scott and Santa Ana. After the first day of battle, Captain Robert E. Lee volunteered to take a force through a narrow ravine to attack the Mexican force in the rear. This was done to incredible effect, and the next day Santa Ana was forced to retreat towards Mexico City.
Another furious battle between Scott and Santa Ana. After the first day of battle, Captain Robert E. Lee volunteered to take a force through a narrow ravine to attack the Mexican force in the rear. This was done to incredible effect, and the next day Santa Ana was forced to retreat towards Mexico City.
Battle of Churubusco - 20 August, 1847
The first attack upon the defenses of Mexico City, this battle followed the retreat from Contreras. After pushing back the Mexican Army, the American forces were a mere 6 miles away from the heart of Mexico City.
The first attack upon the defenses of Mexico City, this battle followed the retreat from Contreras. After pushing back the Mexican Army, the American forces were a mere 6 miles away from the heart of Mexico City.
Battle of Molino del Rey: Attack upon the Molino - 8 September, 1847
One of the bloodiest engagements of the war, The Mexican army was initially able to repel the attacks from the American Army.
One of the bloodiest engagements of the war, The Mexican army was initially able to repel the attacks from the American Army.
Battle of Molino del Rey: Attack upon the Casa Mata - 8 September, 1847
Even after Santa Ana repulsed the initial attacks, Mexico City was captured by the American Army one week later.
Even after Santa Ana repulsed the initial attacks, Mexico City was captured by the American Army one week later.
Storming of Chapultepec: Pillow's Attack - 13 September, 1847
The castle of Chapultepec stood in the center of downtown Mexico City. It became the last defense for the American Army to conquer after the city had been captured. A frantic and bloody battle ensured as the Americans stormed the castle in wave after wave.
The castle of Chapultepec stood in the center of downtown Mexico City. It became the last defense for the American Army to conquer after the city had been captured. A frantic and bloody battle ensured as the Americans stormed the castle in wave after wave.
Storming of Chapultepec: Quitman's Attack - 13 September, 1847
After Pillow's Division failed to take the heights, Scott deployed John A. Quitman's Division, which was able to finally overcome the strong defenses. It is said that the last six defenders of Chapultepec were six Mexican military cadets between the ages 12 to 19, who refused orders to surrender and fought to the death at the highest ramparts of the castle. The last one alive, Juan Escutia, is said to have wrapped himself in the Mexican Flag and throw himself off the ramparts to his death to prevent the flag from falling in enemy's hands.
After Pillow's Division failed to take the heights, Scott deployed John A. Quitman's Division, which was able to finally overcome the strong defenses. It is said that the last six defenders of Chapultepec were six Mexican military cadets between the ages 12 to 19, who refused orders to surrender and fought to the death at the highest ramparts of the castle. The last one alive, Juan Escutia, is said to have wrapped himself in the Mexican Flag and throw himself off the ramparts to his death to prevent the flag from falling in enemy's hands.
After the capture of Mexico City the Mexican Government was in shambles. What was left of their government was forced to assemble at Villa de Guadalupe Hidalgo and signed the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo on 2 February 1848.