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The Mexican Army was
composed of permanentes,
or full-time soldiers, and
activos, or militia.
They suffered from low
morale, desertion, and
irregular pay. Men were
often conscripted using the
unpopular leva system,
instead of being recruited.
A huge gulf in class and
economic differences
separated the officers and
the enlisted men.
The Mexican Army had little
experience with invading
forces prior to the
U.S.-Mexican War. Spain
tried unsuccessfully to
invade in 1829, and France
tried (unsuccessfully) to
invade the country during
the Pastry War (1838-1839).
The Mexican Army spent most
of its time dealing with
domestic issues. Lack of
cohesiveness was a serious
problem for the army;
officers and soldiers often
formed alliances with
different political groups
to further their own plans
and those of a particular
political constituency.
The Mexican Army had a
standing pool of generals to
command, but many achieved
their rank through political
favors, not military
victories. Many of these men
were either born in Spain or
born to Spanish parents in
the New World, although a
few were mestizos who
rose through the ranks. The
Mexican commanders were
often in conflict with Santa
Anna and with each other due
to differing interests.
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Mexican
troops on
the march
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General Pedro
de Ampudia
Ampudia joined the Spanish
Colonial Army at an early
age. He became one of Santa
Anna’s generals in 1840,
serving in the campaign
against Texas. He served as
General-in-Chief of the Army
of the North in 1846, but
was replaced by General
Mariano Arista before the
Battle of Palo Alto.
Ampudia’s forces suffered a
disastrous defeat at that
battle, but he went on to
command forces at the
battles of Monterrey and
Buena Vista (La Angostura).
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General
Ampudia
surrendering
to Taylor at
Monterey
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General
Juan José Landero
General Juan José
Landero achieved his
success supporting Santa
Anna. Under the command
of General Juan Morales,
he defended Veracruz
against General Scott’s
invasion in March 1847.
Landero ultimately took
the blame for
surrendering the city.
Furious at their
inability to “defend”
the city, Santa Anna
imprisoned both Landero
and Morales after the
fall of Veracruz; they
were liberated by U.S.
troops several weeks
later when they captured
Perote Castle. After the
war ended, Landero’s
differences with Santa
Anna led him to change
loyalties.
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General José
Vicente Miñon
General José Vicente Miñón
joined the Spanish Colonial
Army at an early age and
served with distinction. He
became an ally in the
successful 1845 plot to
overthrow President José
Joaquín de Herrera. In early
1847, Miñón led one of Santa
Anna’s cavalry brigades in
the Army of the North. After
arriving outside Buena
Vista, Miñón’s forces
threatened General Taylor’s
supply lines and
communication with Saltillo,
maneuvering so that they
were actually behind
Taylor’s forces. The U.S.
Artillery managed to
disperse Miñón’s
1,600-strong cavalry,
disrupting their plans and
enraging Santa Anna. Miñón
also captured Major Solon
Borland and 50 of his
“mounted rifles” at
Encarnación.
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Gen. Antonio López de Santa Anna
Born February 21, 1794 to
Spanish parents, Santa Anna
originally joined the Spanish
Army. He abandoned the army in
1821 to help fight for Mexico’s
independence. He fought against
France in the Pasty War and was
severely wounded, eventually
leading to the amputation of his
right leg below the knee. Over
the course of his career, he
served as President of Mexico 11
different times, switching
political allegiances among his
friends and supporters when
necessary.
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General Santa
Anna |
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General
Gabriel Valencia
Born in 1799, Valencia began
his stint with the Spanish
Colonial Army but joined the
revolutionaries in 1821.
After becoming friendly with
the centralist leadership,
he established himself as a
force in Mexican politics.
He forged an uneasy alliance
with Santa Anna, helping him
overthrow first President
Anastasio Bustamante and
then President José Joaquín
de Herrera. Santa Anna
recognized Valencia’s
potential threat politically
and militarily. Valencia and
his forces were located in
Northeast Mexico early in
the war; they were routed at
the Battle of Contreras in
August 1847 by troops that
included Arkansans serving
in the 12th Infantry.
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John Riley & the San Patricio Battalion
Irish-American deserter John
Riley joined the Mexican
Army and formed the San
Patricio Battalion. This
group fought as an artillery
unit at the battles of Palo
Alto, Resaca de la Palma
(Resaca de Guerrero),
Monterrey, Buena Vista (or
La Angostura), and Cerro
Gordo before being
transferred to the infantry,
where they fought and lost
at Contreras and Churubusco.
One Arkansas deserter joined
the San Patricios.
Ultimately, those captured
after the Battle of
Churubusco were sent to
military trials; a portion
of them were executed.
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San Patricio
Execution |
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