Battle of Buena Vista
The Battle of Buena Vista took place on February 22-23, 1847, during the Mexican-American War, involving a confrontation between Mexican forces led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna and American troops commanded by General Zachary Taylor. With Santa Anna fielding around 15,000 soldiers against Taylor's approximately 4,594 mostly volunteer troops, the battle commenced with initial skirmishes that escalated into full-scale conflict the following day in challenging terrain near Hacienda San Juan de la Buena Vista. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Taylor's strategic decision to defend his positions proved effective, allowing his forces to withstand relentless assaults throughout the day. As night fell, the Mexican army, having failed to break U.S. lines and suffering significant casualties, retreated, leaving Taylor's men in control of the battlefield. The battle resulted in substantial losses on both sides, with Mexico suffering around 691 dead and 1,050 wounded, while American casualties included 272 killed and 387 wounded. This narrow victory was significant not only for its military implications, securing the northern routes to Mexico City, but also for elevating Taylor's national profile, ultimately contributing to his election as President of the United States. The Battle of Buena Vista thus remains a notable event in the context of U.S.-Mexico relations and military history.
Battle of Buena Vista
Type of action: Ground battle in the Mexican-American War
Date: February 22-23, 1847
Location: Hacienda San Juan de la Buena Vista (eight miles south of Saltillo)
Combatants: 4,594 Americans vs. 15,142 Mexicans
Principal commanders: American, Major General Zachary Taylor (1784–1850); Mexican, General Antonio López de Santa Anna (1794–1876)
Result: Successful U.S. defense of its position near Saltillo
On February 22, 1847, General Antonio López de Santa Anna sent some 15,000 soldiers against the positions of American general Zachary Taylor’s 4,594, mostly volunteer, troops. Beginning with skirmishes, a full-scale battle ensued the following morning on rough terrain beneath the Sierra Madre near Hacienda San Juan de la Buena Vista. Santa Anna possessed intelligence of U.S. troop locations and hoped for a decisive defeat.
Mexican cavalry and infantry threw themselves against U.S. lines throughout the day. Taylor’s decision simply to defend U.S. positions proved successful. Though bloodied and weary, his forces still held the battlefield as night fell. As Taylor’s men anxiously awaited dawn, Santa Anna’s army slipped away, demoralized at their inability to break through U.S. positions. Mexican deaths numbered 691, with nearly 1,050 wounded. American casualties included 272 killed and 387 wounded.
Significance
The narrow U.S. victory at Buena Vista was not only of strategic significance but also of political importance for Taylor. The victory had secured the northern approaches to Mexico City, and the general’s fame would help to elect him president of the United States.
Resources
Bauer, K. Jack. The Mexican War, 1846–1848. New York: Macmillan, 1974.
‗‗‗‗‗‗‗. Zachary Taylor: Soldier, Planter, Statesman of the Old Southwest. Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1985.
Olivera, Ruth R., and Liliane Crété. Life in Mexico Under Santa Anna, 1822–1855. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1991.