Английская Википедия:Battle of the Sacramento River
Шаблон:Short description Шаблон:For Шаблон:Use mdy dates Шаблон:Warbox Шаблон:Campaignbox Mexican-American War
The Battle of the Sacramento River took place on February 28, 1847, during the Mexican–American War. About Шаблон:Convert north of Chihuahua, Mexico, at the crossing of the Sacramento River, American forces numbering less than 1,000 defeated a superior Mexican army, which led to the occupation of Chihuahua.[2]Шаблон:Rp
Background
On February 8, Colonel Alexander Doniphan's force of 924 soldiers and 300 civilians left El Paso del Norte for Chihuahua, despite learning that John E. Wool had abandoned his march there.[2]Шаблон:Rp Major Samuel Owens had the civilians formed into a battalion along with the caravan of 312 wagons.[2]Шаблон:Rp On 25 February, they reached the Laguna de Encenillas, where they learned of the Mexican defenses prepared for them.[2]Шаблон:Rp
Governor Trias had built up a force under the command of General Jose A. Heredia, consisting of 1,200 cavalry (Gen. Garcia Conde: Vera Cruz Dragoons, Durango & Chihuahua Lancers), 1,500 infantry (Chihuahua Activos), 119 artillerymen (10 field guns & 6 culverins) and 1,000 rancheros.[2]Шаблон:Rp They had constructed a redoubt near the Hacienda Sacramento where the El Paso road crosses the river, and at Hacienda el Torreon Шаблон:Convert to the west.[2]Шаблон:Rp
At sunrise on February 28, the Americans took up the line of march and formed the whole wagon train into four columns with the artillery and mounted men in the middle.[2]Шаблон:Rp Three companies screened the front.[2]Шаблон:Rp When the Americans arrived within sight of the Mexican defenses, Doniphan made a reconnaissance of the enemy positions.[2]Шаблон:Rp Twenty-three separate works had been dug for twelve 4- to 9-pounders and nine lighter pieces.[2]Шаблон:Rp
Battle
Doniphan used his cavalry to screen the movement of his force parallel to the Arroyo Seco and to the right and out of range of the Mexican artillery.[2]Шаблон:Rp Doniphan formed the wagons into a fort after crossing the gully onto a plateau, and Major Meriwether Lewis Clark Sr.'s guns fired on General Garcia Conde's lancers, forcing them to flee.[2]Шаблон:Rp
Doniphan's men approached the southernmost Mexican earthworks, held by Heredia's best troops.[2]Шаблон:Rp Doniphan ordered Capt. Richard H. Weightman's twin howitzers to the front accompanied by Capt. Reid's force of mounted cavalry men.[2]Шаблон:Rp Major Owens was killed in the charge, but Missourians took the fort.[2]Шаблон:Rp
Trias attempted a counterattack but his lancers were halted by canister shot.[2]Шаблон:Rp By 5 PM the fighting was over.[2]Шаблон:Rp
Aftermath
Unable to defend Chihuahua, Trias fled to Parras.[2]Шаблон:Rp Doniphan commented, "The fire of our battery was so effective as to completely silence theirs."[3] Doniphan's men marched into Chihuahua on March 2, and on April 23 he was ordered to bring his men to Saltillo, reaching Encantada on May 21.[2]Шаблон:Rp
In popular culture
The Battle of the Sacramento River is mentioned in the 1985 Western novel Blood Meridian. While interned in a Chihuahua City prison, the main character of the book meets a veteran of the battle, who recounts its events.
See also
Gallery
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Colonel Alexander Doniphan
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Doniphan's Map from John T. Hughes' 1847 Doniphan's Expedition
References
Further reading
- Brooks, N.C. Complete History Of The Mexican War: Grigg, Elliot & Co.Philadelphia 1849, pp.271-280
- Listing of 1846–1848 US Army Casualties
- Шаблон:Cite book
External links
- Col. Doniphan's report of the battle
- Marker to Doniphan in Clay Co., MO. - Missouri "Mormon" Frontier Foundation. - John Whitmer Historical Association.
- Doniphan biography. - Kansas "bogus legislature" website.
- Doniphan. - Columbia Encyclopedia.
- Speaking of History Podcast with audio of John Dillingham speech on the life of Alexander Doniphan. - presented at the Truman Presidential Library in May 2007.
- A Continent Divided: The U.S. - Mexico War, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies, the University of Texas at Arlington
