New Plan & New Army

In the fall of 1846, President Polk was frustrated with developments south of the Rio Grande. Following the battle of Monterey, General Taylor was being mentioned as the 1848 Whig candidate for president. Polk believed that the war needed to be prosecuted vigorously and agreed to a plan by General Scott to invade Mexico at Veracruz and then march on Mexico City, using Taylor’s army regulars from northern Mexico. Congress also agreed to add regulars, not volunteers, to Scott’s army. Polk chose the officers for the new regiments—mostly Democrats like himself