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The Mexican American War PDF - Denver Public Schools

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<strong>The</strong> <strong>Mexican</strong>-<strong>American</strong> <strong>War</strong><br />

Battle of El Molino del Rey<br />

TEACHER’S COPY<br />

Date of battle: September 8, 1847<br />

Location of the battle: 2 miles southwest of Mexico City<br />

Who were the principal officers involved<br />

<strong>American</strong> Officers<br />

General Winfield Scott<br />

Captain William Worth<br />

General Persifor Smith<br />

<strong>Mexican</strong> Officers<br />

General Antonio Leon<br />

General Joaquin Rangel<br />

General Francisco Perez<br />

General Simeon Ramirez<br />

How many men and what kind of troops made up the military detachment for each side<br />

<strong>American</strong><br />

<strong>Mexican</strong><br />

3,250 infantry and artillery 10,000 infantry, artillery, and calvary<br />

What were the casualty statistics following the battle<br />

<strong>American</strong><br />

<strong>Mexican</strong><br />

Killed Wounded Killed Wounded<br />

201 685 2,600 combined killed and wounded<br />

What was the end-result of the battle<br />

After storming the church and the buildings surrounding it at a large expense of lives, Worth’s<br />

troops uncovered that only gun molds and no guns had been produced. In the end, over 200<br />

<strong>American</strong> soldiers lost their lives, and casualties numbered near 600. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Mexican</strong> casualties<br />

numbered over 2,000 dead and wounded and approximately 680 captured. All of this carnage for<br />

three gun molds. Someone had provided Scott with misinformation and his army paid dearly for it<br />

Summary:<br />

Battle Summary Worksheet<br />

Page 19 of 23<br />

Following the <strong>American</strong> victories at Contreras and Churubusco, Scott and Santa Anna agreed to an<br />

armistice. However, Santa Anna used the cease-fire as an opportunity to fortify Mexico City in<br />

direct violation of the armistice. On August 27 negotiations began between Nicolas Trist, an<br />

<strong>American</strong> diplomat appointed and eventually recalled by President Polk, and various representatives<br />

from Mexico, including Jose Joaquin de Herrera, a former president who had himself favored peace<br />

before to the war. Negotiations quickly stalled, and on September 6, Scott called Santa Anna to<br />

surrender outright. Santa Anna refused and both sides again prepared for battle.<br />

(continued)<br />

El Alma de la Raza Series. © 2000 <strong>Denver</strong> <strong>Public</strong> <strong>Schools</strong> 48

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