Battle of Contreras - Mexican-American War - Battle of Padierna - Winfield Scott

Clash of Contreras - Mexican-American War - Battle of Padierna - Winfield Scott Skirmish of Contreras - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Contreras was battled August 19-20, 1847, during the Mexican-American War (1846-1848). Armed forces Commanders US Significant General Winfield ScottMajor General William Worth8,500 men Mexico General Antonio Lopez de Santa AnnaGeneral Gabriel Valencia5,000 men Skirmish of Contreras - Background: In spite of the fact that Major General Zachary Taylor had triumphed in a progression of triumphs at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey, President James K. Polk chose to move the focal point of the American war exertion from northern Mexico to a crusade against Mexico City. In spite of the fact that this was to a great extent because of Polks worries about Taylors political desire, it was likewise upheld by knowledge reports that a development against Mexico City from the north would be particularly troublesome. Subsequently, another military was shaped under Major General Winfield Scott and taught to catch the key port city of Veracruz. Coming aground on March 9, 1847, Scotts order moved against the city and caught it following a twenty-day attack. Building a significant base at Veracruz, Scott started making arrangements to progress inland before yellow fever season showed up. Moving inland, Scott steered the Mexicans, drove by General Antonio Lã ³pez de Santa Anna, at Cerro Gordo the next month. Going ahead, Scott caught Puebla where he stopped to rest and revamp through June and July. Continuing the crusade toward the beginning of August, Scott chose for approach Mexico City from the south as opposed to drive the adversary resistances at El Pe㠱ã ³n. Adjusting Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco his men showed up at San Augustin on August 18. Having foreseen an American development from the east, Santa Anna started redeploying his military toward the south and accepted a line along the Churubusco River (Map). Skirmish of Contreras - Scouting the Area: To protect this new position, Santa Anna set soldiers under General Francisco Perez at Coyoacan with powers drove by General Nicholas Bravo toward the east at Churubusco. On the west finish of the Mexican line was General Gabriel Valencias Army of the North at San Angel. Having built up his new position, Santa Anna was isolated from Scott by an immense magma field known as the Pedregal. On August 18 Scott requested Major General William J. Worth to take his division along the immediate street to Mexico City. Moving along the east edge of the Pedregal, this power went under overwhelming fire at San Antonio, only south of Churubusco. Unfit to flank the Mexicans because of the Pedregal toward the west and water toward the east, Worth chosen to end. As Scott considered his best course of action, Valencia, a political adversary of Santa Annas, chose for relinquish San Angel and moved five miles south to a slope close to the towns of Contreras and Padierna. Santa Clause Annas orders for him to come back to San Angel were can't and Valencia contended he was in a superior situation to safeguard or assault contingent upon the enemys strategy. Reluctant to mount an exorbitant frontal attack on San Antonio, Scott started considering climbing the west side of the Pedregal. To scout the course, he dispatched Robert E. Lee, as of late brevetted to major for his activities at Cerro Gordo, alongside an infantry regiment and a few dragoons west. Squeezing into the Pedregal, Lee arrived at Mount Zacatepec where his men scattered a gathering of Mexican guerrillas. Skirmish of Contreras - Americans on the Move: From the mountain, Lee was certain that the Pedregal could be crossed. Relating this to Scott, he persuaded his authority to change the armys line of advance. The following morning, troops from Major General David Twiggs and Major General Gideon Pillows divisions moved out and started building a way along the course followed by Lee. In doing as such, they were ignorant of Valencias nearness at Contreras. By early evening, they had arrived at a point past the mountain to where they could see Contreras, Padierna, and San Geronimo. Descending the forward incline of the mountain, Twiggs men experienced harsh criticism from Valencias gunnery. Countering this, Twiggs propelled his own weapons and brought shoot back. Taking in general order, Pillow guided Colonel Bennett Riley to take his unit toward the north and west. In the wake of intersection a little stream they were to take San Geronimo and remove the enemys line of retreat. Moving over harsh territory, Riley found no restriction and involved the town. Valencia, occupied with the big guns duel, neglected to see the American section. Worried that Riley was segregated, Pillow later coordinated Brigadier General George Cadwaladers unit and Colonel George Morgans fifteenth Infantry to go along with him. As the evening advanced, Riley explored the back of Valencias position. During this time, they additionally recognized a huge Mexican power moving south from San Angel. This was Santa Anna driving fortifications forward. Seeing the predicament of his confidants over the stream, Brigadier General Persifor Smith, whose detachment was supporting the weapons that were discharging on Valencia, started to fear for the security of the American powers. Reluctant to legitimately ambush Valencias position, Smith moved his men into the Pedregal and followed the course utilized before. Getting together with the fifteenth Infantry in no time before dusk, Smith started arr anging an assault on the Mexican back. This was at last canceled because of murkiness. Skirmish of Contreras - A Quick Victory: Toward the north, Santa Anna, confronted with a troublesome street and a setting sun, chose to pull back to San Angel. This expelled the danger to the Americans around San Geronimo. Merging the American powers, Smith went through the night planning a sunrise assault expected to strike the foe from three sides. Wanting consent from Scott, Smith acknowledged Lees offer to cross the Pedregal in the murkiness to take a message to their administrator. After gathering Lee, Scott was satisfied with the circumstance and guided him to discover troops to help Smiths exertion. Finding Brigadier General Franklin Pierces detachment (incidentally drove by Colonel T.B. Payment), it was requested to exhibit before Valencias lines at first light. During the night, Smith requested his men just as Rileys and Cadwaladers to shape for the fight to come. Morgan was coordinated to cover the street north to San Angel while Brigadier General James Shields as of late showed up unit was to hold San Geronimo. In the Mexican camp, Valencias men were cold and tired having persevered through a difficult night. They were additionally progressively worried about the whereabouts of Santa Anna. At sunrise, Smith requested the Americans to assault. Raging forward, they steered Valencias order in a battle that kept going just seventeen minutes. A significant number of the Mexicans endeavored to escape north yet were blocked by Shields men. As opposed to provide to their with some timely help, Santa Anna kept falling back towards Churubusco. Clash of Contreras - Aftermath: The facing at the Conflict of Contreras cost Scott around 300 slaughtered and injured while Mexican misfortunes numbered roughly 700 murdered, 1,224 injured, and 843 caught. Perceiving that the triumph had unhinged the Mexican guards in the region, Scott gave a whirlwind of requests following Valencias rout. Among these were orders which revoked before orders for Worths and Major General John Quitmans divisions to move west. Rather, these were requested north towards San Antonio. Sending troops west into the Pedregal, Worth immediately defeated the Mexican position and sent them reeling north. As the day advanced, American powers drove forward on the two sides of the Pedregal in quest for the adversary. They would find Santa Anna around early afternoon at the Battle of Churubusco. Chosen Source PBS: Battle of ContrerasBattle of Contreras: Official Report Battle of Contreras - Map