Battle of Resaca de la Palma Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

Battle of Resaca de la Palma

Part of the Mexican–American War

Charge of the American 2d Dragoons at the Battle of Resaca de la Palma

Date

May 9, 1846

Location

Resaca de la Palma Battlefield, near Brownsville, Texas, United States

Result

American victory

Retreat of Mexican Army to south of the Rio Grande

Belligerents

United States

Mexico

Commanders and leaders

Zachary Taylor

Mariano Arista

Strength

1,700

4,000

Casualties and losses

33 killed
89 wounded

154 killed
205 wounded
156 missing

The Battle of Resaca de la Palma was an important fight in the early days of the Mexican–American War. It happened on May 9, 1846. The United States Army, led by General Zachary Taylor, fought against the Mexican Army. The Mexican forces, called the Ejército del Norte, were led by General Mariano Arista. The United States won this battle. This victory made the Mexican army leave Texas.

What Led to the Battle?
The Battle Begins
The Fight Continues
After the Battle
Gallery
See also

What Led to the Battle?

The day before, the Mexican army had lost the Battle of Palo Alto. General Arista decided to move his troops. He found a better place to defend. This spot was a dry riverbed, or resaca. The Mexicans called it Resaca de Guerrero. Americans knew it as Resaca de la Palma.

Arista moved his soldiers there by 10 a.m. on May 9. The resaca was about 12 feet deep and 200 feet wide. It was three miles from the Rio Grande river. Arista put most of his foot soldiers in the ravine. The area was thick with trees. This would make it hard for Taylor's cannons to hit them.

The Battle Begins

The fighting was very messy. The thick bushes and trees made it hard to see. Mexican cannons also fired a lot. Captain Randolph Ridgely's American cannons fought back. He even stopped a Mexican horse charge.

General Taylor then ordered Captain Charles A. May to attack. May's horse soldiers, called dragoons, were told to capture the Mexican cannons. May asked Ridgely where the cannons were. Ridgely said he would draw their fire so May could see them.

May's charge went too far past the cannons. He did capture a Mexican general, Romulo Diaz de la Vega. But he could not hold the cannons. Taylor then sent more soldiers to get the cannons. These soldiers, led by William G. Belknap, finally captured them. After this, the Mexican soldiers on one side of the road ran away.

The Fight Continues

On the other side of the road, Captain Robert C. Buchanan and his soldiers found a path. This path led to the Mexican left side. They used it to capture another Mexican cannon spot. They held this position against Mexican attacks.

Soon, the entire Mexican army became scared. They ran away across the Rio Grande river. Many Mexican soldiers drowned trying to cross.

After the Battle

The Mexican army left many things behind. They left cannons, General Arista's desk, and even the flags of their famous Tampico Battalion. The Americans captured several bronze cannons.

General Taylor's army went back to their camp at Fort Texas. Taylor thought about what to do next. He also traded prisoners with General Arista. Taylor crossed the Rio Grande on May 18. Arista's army had left their cannons and sick soldiers behind. They retreated to Monterrey.

Taylor was very kind to the Mexican soldiers who were left behind. He gave them the same care as his own wounded soldiers. After helping the injured, he honored the dead soldiers from both sides.

Today, the Resaca De La Palma Battlefield is in Brownsville, Texas. It is part of the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park. The battle also gave its name to Resaca, Georgia. This town later became the site of another battle.