Siege of Fort Texas

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The Siege of Fort Texas marked the beginning of active campaigning by the armies of the United States and Mexico during the Mexican-American War. The battle is sometimes called The Siege of Fort Brown, but this is not entirely accurate — the name Fort Brown was taken from Major Jacob Brown (not to be confused with War of 1812 hero Jacob Brown) who was one of the two Americans killed during the bombardment.

[edit] Background

On March 27, 1846, troops under the command of General Zachary Taylor advanced to a north bank of the Rio Grande and began construction of an unearthen star fortress that they nicknamed "Fort Texas".

[edit] Siege

On May 3, Mexican artillery based in Matamoros began a week-long bombardment of Fort Texas. Garrison: Major Brown ( 7th Infantry, Capt. Loud's Artillery Co.(4-18 pounders) and Lt. Bragg's Light Artillery ( 4 guns). While only two Americans were killed during the attack, the artillery barrage and the arrival of significant Mexican forces preventing reinforcement of the fortress placed the installation under great peril.

General Zachary Taylor came to the aid of the fort's defenders, which resulted in the Mexican General Mariano Arista ordering his troops to position on the nearby plains of Palo Alto, thereby lifting the siege. The Battle of Palo Alto soon followed.

[edit] References

• Bauer, K. Jack, The Mexican-American War, 1846–1848
• Brooks, N.C. ' ' A Complete History of The Mexican War
• Handbook of Texas Online, Fort Brown, [1]
• National Park Service, Palo Alto Battlefield NHS, [2]

[edit] See also

• Battles of the Mexican-American War
• Mexican-American War
• List of conflicts in the United States