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When the U.S. declared war
on Mexico in 1846, the U.S.
Army had just more than
8,000 men serving. Severely
under-funded, and low on
both troops and supplies,
the Army faced a huge task.
They recruited “regulars” to
serve as career soldiers,
while each state recruited
“volunteers” to serve
limited tours during the
war.
President Polk selected the
majority of the men to lead
the U.S. Army. The American
military leaders were nearly
all career soldiers. Many
fought in the War of 1812
and/or the Seminole War.
They were characterized by
different personalities and
opposing political
parties—some were Whigs and
others were Jacksonian
Democrats. Despite their
military prowess, they
feuded with each other and
even President Polk
throughout the war due to
their political differences.
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General
Winfield
Scott |
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Brigadier General John E. Wool
The Arkansas Regiment served under Brigadier General John E. Wool, the third-highest ranking officer to serve in the U.S.-Mexican War after Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott. A hero of the War of 1812, the New Yorker was nicknamed "Old Granny Wool" by the volunteers who did not care for his strict discipline. One man noted that “Gen. Wool is a selfish old granny” who will “give an order one minute and countermand it the next.”
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Brigadier General John E. Wool |
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Major General Zachary Taylor
Major General Zachary Taylor, known throughout the army as “Old Rough and Ready,” was in command at Buena Vista. A career soldier, Taylor rose through the ranks while serving in the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, and the Seminole War. Many Arkansans knew Taylor from his days commanding Fort Smith and overseeing outposts in the Indian Territory. Although depicted in lithographs in full uniform, Taylor preferred planter’s clothing. He was extremely wealthy, but while in camp, he frequently dined on "hard tack," salt pork, and coffee—the enlisted man’s menu. Taylor’s Whig politics caused President Polk to distrust this popular general.
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Major General Zachary Taylor |
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Major General Winfield Scott
Major General Winfield Scott, another War of 1812 hero, was known for wearing all the uniform that the military allowed. "Old Fuss and Feathers," although a stickler for the hierarchy of command, relied heavily on his staff’s opinions when it came to battle. Scott commanded operations from Veracruz to Mexico City. Polk relied more and more on Scott as he came to regard him as the lesser treat of his two prominent Whig generals.
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Major General Winfield Scott |
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Brigadier General Franklin Pierce
Brigadier General Franklin Pierce, formerly a U.S. Senator from New Hampshire, enlisted as a private but was quickly appointed brigadier general by fellow Democrat Polk. Placed in charge of the 12th Infantry, his service in the Mexico City campaign was undistinguished due to an injury before the Battle of Contreras. But Scott was kind to Pierce in war reports, and that war record helped him defeat Scott in the 1852 U.S. Presidential race.
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Brigadier General Franklin Pierce |
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General Gideon J. Pillow
General Gideon J. Pillow: A wealthy planter, lawyer, and politician from Tennessee, Pillow was a close friend of President Polk. Pillow led troops into battle at Veracruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec. He loudly and publicly criticized Whig military leaders, and his efforts to undermine General Scott in American newspapers led to Pillow’s arrest and court-martial and Scott’s recall by the president. Pillow moved to Arkansas before his death in 1878.
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General Gideon J. Pillow |
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General William J. Worth
Worth served first under General Taylor in northern Mexico, and then with General Scott in the Mexico City campaign. Worth played a crucial role in the battles of Monterrey, Churubusco, and Molino del Ray. Although a good military leader, his ego made him difficult to deal with at times. During the war he feuded with Taylor and then later with Scott, who arrested Worth and temporarily relieved him of command. Worth was the last American general to leave Mexico City with his troops.
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General William J. Worth |
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