Arista was correct in waiting for Taylor's return march on the very same road by which he left. Believing that the only military expertise that the Americans possessed was in the ability to skirmish, Arista felt confident that in an open field battle, the Americans would be no match for the Mexican troops. Arista's knowledge of the American fighting man was limited to the recent rebellion in Texas where the Americans showed little ability to function in an organized fashion and in the conflicts with the Indians during the westward expansion. Arista viewed his own force as experienced, well supplied, fairly well disciplined and numerically superior to the American force. Arista positioned his troops some nine miles from Matamoras at a place called "Palo Alto" which means "Tall Trees" in Spanish. This name is derived from the dramatic way in which the tree line at this location rises sharply from the surrounding prairie. Taylor informed his officers that their force would have to cut their way through enemy troops to relieve the besieged fortress. Many of the American officers doubted that there would be such a fight as they didn't believe that the Mexicans would dare stand up to them. Their force, after all, was the largest American Army gathered together in one location since the War of 1812. Scouts informed the Americans that the enemy was drawn up in battle formation. To some this still did not dispel their belief that the Mexicans would run away. Taylor's troops advanced in measured steps and the American battle line was formed just outside of the range of the Mexican artillery. Taylor then ordered that a platoon from each company stack its weapons and go to a nearby stream to fill the canteens for all the troops in the companies. Awaiting the return of the canteens, Taylor sat sideways on his horse, "Old Whitey", in a floppy palmetto hat and frumpy overcoat speaking to anyone nearby in a casual manner. Lieutenant Blake of the Topographical Engineers was dispatched forward to make a reconnaissance of the Mexican forces. Taylor gave the required orders and the American lines moved forward into battle. With the first flashes of artillery fire from the Mexican guns at 2:30 p.m., it became apparent that the Mexicans intended to give battle. Into the sound of the booming Mexican artillery the American line advanced. Taylor continued the approach to the Mexican lines until his artillery was within canister range of the Mexican troops. Mexican Positions Arista's battle line was anchored on his right wing by a unit of ranchero irregular cavalry a short distance from a grove of tangle and chaparral. Moving toward the Mexican left were the Second Light Infantry, The Tampico Coast Guard Battalion, and a company of Veterans of Tampico. These units were supported by a single four pounder and commanded by General Romulo Diaz de la Vega. In the center of the Mexican battle line were five additional four pounders. Next in line was the First Infantry, Sixth Infantry, and the Tenth Infantry Regiments of the Line. This brigade was under the command of General Mariano Garcia. The left of the Mexican battle line was composed of regular cavalry. These units, the Light Cavalry of Mexico, the First Line Cavalry, the Seventh Line Cavalry, the Eighth Line Cavalry, and aCompanyof Presidential mounted troopswere accompanied by two light four pounder artillery pieces. This cavalry brigade was under the command of General Anastasio Torrejon. Held in reserve under the command of General Pedro Ampudia were the Battalion of Zapadores, the Fourth Line Regiment and a contingent of militia from the northern villages. An additional unit of artillery is listed with this brigade without mention of the caliber or number of pieces being served. Although American sources give the total strength of this Mexican field force near 6,000 troops, Mexican sources break down the manpower as follows. 304 Zapadores, 74 Artillerists, 1,729 Infantry, and 1,161 Cavalry for a total of 3,268 effectives. US Positions To face this Mexican array, Taylors troops were formed up as follows. Starting on the American right flank, which was commanded by Colonel David E. Twiggs, were the Third, Fourth and Fifth Regiments of U.S. Infantry. These units were supported by Major Samuel Ringgold's Light Artillery. Placed in the center of the American line were two eighteen pound field artillery pieces. The American left was made up of the Eighth U.S. Infantry and a battalion of U.S. Artillery serving as infantry. This brigade, under the command of Lt. Colonel William G. Belknap, was supported by Captain Duncan's light artillery battery. Of the two squadrons of the Second U.S. Dragoons with Taylor's force, one was placed under the command of Captain Kerr and assigned the role of protecting the 300 wagons which made up the American supply train. The remaining squadron was held in reserve under Captain Charles A. May. This force is variously placed at 2,000 to 2,500 troops with the lower figure being the most likely. A young Lt. U.S. Grant (left) prepares to leave for Texas and the war. The other officer is Lt. Alexander Hays. At approximately 700 yards, the Mexican artillery opened fire on the approaching American battle line. Taylor halted the American advance and the U.S. artillery ran out in front of the position to reply. The differing styles of artillery command soon became noticeable. The Mexicans, who concentrated their artillery fire on the American batteries, had little effect on the dispersed pieces. The American artillery, however, directed their fire at the Mexican troops formed up to face their front. The results were devastating. Huge paths were cut through the Mexican lines by the deadly American fire. But the Mexican infantry bravely filled the voids from the rear ranks and no wavering in the ranks was commented upon by either side. Shortly after the commencement of the artillery fire, Arista sent General Torrejon's cavalry with two pieces of artillery and infantry in support, to advance on the American right in an attempt to turn their flank. Torrejon's cavalry, having been under fire from Ringgold's battery and the eighteen pounders, traveled out of view behind a thicket of chapparal to make a more circuitous route to their destination. Taylor moved the 5th U.S. Infantry to the right and there they formed square to await the Mexican advance. With the advance of the Mexican cavalry, the 5th U.S. Infantry received a volley of carbine fire from the mounted Mexican units they faced. This volley wounded two of the men in the square but the Americans still did not reply. With the closer advance of the Mexican cavalry to the American square, the Americans let loose with a volley of fire of their own which emptied twenty saddles and caused the remainder to fall back. A portion of this retreating cavalry swung outward in an apparent attempt to seize the American supply train. Colonel David Twiggs, anticipating this move, sent a detachment of the Third U.S. Infantry to discourage the Mexicans. This counter measure had the desired effect and the approaching Mexican cavalry withdrew without firing a shot. Smoky Lull During the course of this action and the artillery duel, Duncan's battery, firing at a rate of seven to eight shots per minutes, accidently ignited the dry grass of the battlefield which raced down between the two opposing forces. The smoke from the fire was so thick that the fighting slackened for approximately one hour. This occurrence has frequently been described as an American ruse by the Mexicans. Under cover of the smoke, Arista rearranged his battle lines. The Mexican left wing was withdrawn as it had suffered most during the initial exchange. The Mexican line reformed in front of the chapparal, changing its front to the left. Taylor, making a corresponding change to the Mexican army, advanced his eighteen pounders and the Fifth U.S. Infantry to the position that Torrejon's cavalry had been at the commencement of the battle. Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries also advanced with the infantry in support. After an approximate one hour delay in the battle, the American artillery opened fire and the Mexican infantry suffered yet again from its exacting aim. Despite the damage that was being inflicted on the Mexican ranks, they stood their ground and filled in the gaps in heroic fashion. The Mexican right, impatient to advance on the Americans and make some effort against the deadly cannonade from which they suffered, was ordered to the assault. Two squadrons of cavalry and a battalion of the reserve infantry were advanced in support. The assault, led by a Mexican brass band, was met by Duncan's battery who had moved up to counter the assault. With the speed and daring that the American Horse Artillery became noted for, Duncan moved his battery up without support and with Belknap's approval. One section of the battery opened fire on the cavalry on the Mexican assault's right flank while the other American artillery section was directed against the advancing infantry columns. Kerr's squadron of dragoons and the Eighth U.S. Infantry were advanced in support of the artillery, but before they reached within support distance, the Mexican assault was falling back from the deadly canister fire of the American guns. The Mexican troops rallied and advanced again only to once more fall back from the weight of the artillery fire. As the Mexican assault withered away, Duncan faced his battery toward the remaining Mexican forces that still occupied the field. On the American right the Mexicans advanced cavalry to threaten that flank. The majority of this cavalry was dispersed by canister fire from the eighteen pounders, but small parties continued the threat and fired on the American infantry which formed square with the artillery in support. A volley from the square silenced the Mexican harassing fire and further operations by either side were concluded for the day. Both armies remained on the field that night. Taylor in conference with ten of his officers asked their counsel for the following day. Of the ten, seven voted to await reinforcements prior to renewing the attack. At that moment, Captain Duncan, who had done so much for the American army during the day, rode by on horseback. Taylor called out to the Captain and asked his opinion of the question posed to his other officers. "We whipped 'em today and we can whip 'em tomorow!" was the reply Taylor received. "That is my opinion, Captain Duncan," said Taylor, adding, "Gentlemen, you will prepare your commands to move forward; the Council is dissolved." In the early light of dawn on the 9th of May, Taylor made arrangements for his wounded to be transported back to Point Isabel. Additionally, Taylor sent scouts forward to determine any change in the Mexican dispositions. The scouts returned to report that the Mexican Army of the North was withdrawing from the field down trails leading into thick and thorny chapparal. Battles of Palo Alto and Resca de la Palma Introduction and Initial Maneuverings Battle of Palo Alto Battle of Resca de la Palma A Wargamer's Perspective Back to Table of Contents -- Courier Vol. IX No. 1 Back to Courier List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1989 by The Courier Publishing Company. This article appears in MagWeb.com (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other articles from military history and related magazines are available at http://www.magweb.com