Battle of Churubusco

Battle of Churubusco
Part of the Mexican-American War
"Battle of Churubusco" by J. Cameron, published by Nathaniel Currier.
Date August 20, 1847 Location Mexico City, D.F. Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States	Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Winfield Scott	Manuel Rincón  (POW) Pedro María Anaya  (POW)
Strength
8,497	3,800
Casualties and losses
139 killed 865 wounded 40 missing	263 killed 460 wounded 1,261 captured 20 missing

The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras (Padierna) during the Mexican-American War. After defeating the Mexican army at Churubusco, the U.S. Army was only 5 miles (8 km) away from Mexico City, the capital of the nation. A month later, the US forces captured Mexico City and the war was over.

Background

Following their defeats at Contreras and San Antonio, the Mexicans fell back to the village of Churubusco. During retreat from San Antonio, the Mexican defenders (called the 1st Line of Defense or sometimes the "Army of the Centre", led by Gen. N. Bravo, with about 2,000 men: 700 "Hidalgo," 500 "Victoria" Natl. Guards Battalions, 800 others: under Cols. A. Zerecero & J. G. Perdigon Garay), were struck in flank by Clarke's Brigade of the division of Gen. William J. Worth. The US forces captured about 500 prisoners, including Acting Gen. Perdigon Garay, and about five guns. The U.S. forces began to merge with forces coming from Contreras for a further attack.

The Mexicans made their stand at the Franciscan convent of Santa María de Churubusco. Although the convent offered no advantage of height over the surrounding terrain, there was a small river, crossed by a bridge, that the U.S. forces had to negotiate first. In addition to the stone walls of the convent, the defenses included a series of incomplete trenches the Mexicans had begun digging prior to the attack. The defenders numbered 1,300 men from the Independencia and Bravos battalions (90% of whom had never seen combat) and the Saint Patrick's Battalion, also called the San Patricios. Some elements of the Tlapa and Lagos Battalions arrived as reinforcements. The Mexicans had seven cannons.

Three cannon were placed on the right; two in the center; and the remaining two on the left. Independencia was assigned to defend the upper walls, the right flank leading to the bridge, the unfortified south and north sides, and two adobe huts further forward on the battlefield. The Bravos and the San Patricios were stationed on the left, behind barricades. In support along the Rio Churubusco was the Perez Brigade : 2,500 men (11th Line, 1st, 3d & 4th Light Infantry Regiments)

Battle

Battle of Churubusco, during the Mexican-American War, painting by Carl Nebel.

The first assault by the 5,000-strong U.S. divisions of William J. Worth and David E. Twiggs was successfully repulsed. Pedro María Anaya, second in command to General Manuel Rincón, managed to repel a particularly fierce attack on the left flank. Just as the bridge looked likely to fall to the invaders, three small groups of militia arrived to reinforce the defenders. Intense fire continued for three or four hours, until Independencia — in spite of a series of urgent messages dispatched behind the lines — ran out of ammunition. This lack of ammunition was because the provided calibers were not for the rifles used by the defenders.

Battle of Churubusco.

Two of the Mexican cannon had melted and a third had fallen from its mount. Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Peñúñuri of Independencia led a handful of men in a bayonet charge and was defeated. He and Captain Luis Martínez de Castro, who had accompanied him, were killed in the battle.

Officers from the Bravos attempted to raise the white flag over the convent walls on three occasions. They were prevented from doing so, however, by members of the San Patricios who feared the fate that awaited them if they were taken prisoner. They were Irish immigrants to the US who had deserted units in the US Army and joined the Mexicans. Seventy-two men^{[citation needed]} were ultimately captured and court-martialed for desertion, including the leader, John O'Riley.

The brigade of Franklin Pierce forced the river under fire, followed by Shields' brigade, and turned the Mexican right flank. On the left, elements of Worth's division also succeeded in a river crossing and took the Mexican defenses in the rear. Resistance collapsed except for those inside the convent, who held out for some time before surrendering.

U.S. Captain James Milton Smith mounted the convent wall and raised the white flag of surrender. Arriving some minutes later, General Twiggs obtained the surrender of General Anaya.

Aftermath

A brigade of volunteers from New York was billeted to the convent, remaining there until September 7. Following their victory at Churubusco, Scott's army was only five miles (8 km) from the capital of Mexico City. A month later, following an abortive ceasefire and failed negotiations, Mexico City fell to U.S. forces.

In the arts

Parts of the battle were portrayed in the mini-series North and South, as well as the film One Man's Hero (1999).

See also

• Saint Patrick's Battalion

References

• Ramsey, Albert C. The other side; or, Notes for the history of the war between Mexico and the United States, New York: John Wiley 161 Broadway and 13 Paternoster Row, London, 1850