Army of the West (1846) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Army of the West |
|
|---|---|
| Active | 1846–1848 |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Field Army |
| Size | Brigade |
| Engagements | Mexican-American War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Stephen W. Kearny Sterling Price |
The Army of the West was a special group of soldiers from the United States. It was led by Stephen W. Kearny during the Mexican–American War (1846-1848). This army was very important in helping the U.S. take control of areas that are now New Mexico and California.
The main base for the Army of the West was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. After the war ended, this army was split into two new groups. These groups were called the Department of the Pacific and the Department of the West.
Contents
Taking New Mexico
In the beginning, Colonel Stephen W. Kearny was in charge of about 1,700 soldiers. These soldiers were a mix of regular army troops and volunteers. They gathered at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Kearny was soon promoted to a higher rank, brigadier general. He officially named his group the Army of the West.
By late June 1846, the army started marching along the Santa Fe Trail. Other U.S. forces joined them later. These included Colonel Sterling Price's Second Missouri Mounted Volunteer Regiment. Also, the famous Mormon Battalion joined. This was a unique group, being the only religious unit in American military history.
Months later, more soldiers arrived in California by ship. These were from the 1st New York Volunteer Infantry and some regular army units.
General Kearny and his troops moved into what is now New Mexico. They successfully took control of Santa Fe without a fight. Kearny then set up a military government there. He sent some of his forces, led by Colonel Alexander Doniphan, to continue operations in New Mexico.
Kearny then took the rest of his army and headed towards California. He was guided by the famous scout, Kit Carson. Colonel Sterling Price stayed behind in New Mexico to command the U.S. troops there. These troops were still part of the Army of the West. Price successfully stopped the Taos Revolt in early 1847.
Eventually, the Army of the West grew to about 4,000 to 5,000 soldiers. They were active in California, New Mexico, and even in an area called Chihuahua.
Conquering California
General Kearny thought that the fighting in California was over. So, he took only one company of his troops from Santa Fe. But when he arrived in the northern part of Mexico's Las Californias department, he found a rebellion happening.
Kearny's forces fought a Californian group led by General Andrés Pico at the Battle of San Pasqual. The Californians were forced to leave the battlefield. However, this battle was very tough for Kearny's army. General Kearny himself was wounded. He needed more soldiers from the San Diego base to help his troops and move the injured to safety.
Once in San Diego, Kearny's army got stronger. They were joined by Marines and naval infantry led by Commodore Robert F. Stockton. With a combined force of 500 soldiers, Kearny and Stockton moved north. Their goal was to attack Pico's Californians near Los Angeles.
U.S. forces took control of Los Angeles on January 10, 1847. This happened after they won the battles of Rio San Gabriel and Battle of La Mesa. On January 13, the Californians surrendered to John C. Fremont. This surrender marked the end of the main fighting in California. Kearny then moved to Monterey. He stayed there until May, serving as the military governor of California.
Action in Chihuahua
In late 1846, General Stephen W. Kearny began his march west to California. He left three companies of Dragoons, along with volunteer troops, to form a strong group in New Mexico. Command of this group eventually went to Colonel Sterling Price.
The last major action of the Army of the West happened in 1848. Price, who had recently become a general, led his troops into the state of Chihuahua. There, they defeated a Mexican force at the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales. This battle actually took place after a cease-fire had been agreed upon. It also happened after the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo had been signed, which officially ended the war.
Later, in 1862, Sterling Price would command another group called the Army of the West. But this time, it was part of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Leaders and Units at Santa Cruz de Rosales
At the Battle of Santa Cruz de Rosales, the main commander was Brigadier General Sterling Price. His forces included:
- The 3rd Missouri Mounted Regiment, led by Colonel John Ralls.
- The Santa Fe Mounted Regiment, led by Major Robert Walker.
- The 1st U.S. Dragoons, led by Major Benjamin L. Beall.
- Love's Battery, led by Lieutenant John Love.
Major Battles
The Army of the West was involved in several important battles:
