Battle of Churubusco
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| Battle of Churubusco | |||||||
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| Part of the Mexican-American War | |||||||
 The Battle of Churubusco by Carl Nebel. Oil on canvas, 1851. |
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| Combatants | |||||||
| United States | Mexico | ||||||
| Commanders | |||||||
| Winfield Scott | Antonio López de Santa Anna Manuel Rincón |
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| Strength | |||||||
| 8,497 | 2,641 | ||||||
| Casualties | |||||||
| 133 dead 865 wounded 40 missing |
263 dead 1,261 captured 20 missing |
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| Mexican–American War |
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| Fort Texas – Palo Alto – Resaca de la Palma – Cañoncito – Santa Fe – Monterrey – 1st Tabasco – San Pasqual – El Brazito – Rio San Gabriel – La Mesa – Cañada – Mora – Embudo Pass – Pueblo de Taos – Buena Vista – Sacramento – Veracruz – Cerro Gordo – Tuxpan – 2nd Tabasco – Contreras – Churubusco – Molino del Rey – Chapultepec – Mexico City – Huamantla – Puebla |
The Battles of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Contreras (Padierna) during the Mexican-American War. The defeat of the Mexican army at Churubusco left the U.S. Army only 5 miles (8 km) away from Mexico City.
[edit] Background
Following their defeat at Contreras and San Antonio, the Mexicans fell back to the village of Churubusco. After taking San Antonio, the U.S. forces began to merge with the forces from Contreras for a further attack there.
The Mexicans made their stand at the Franciscan convent of Santa María de Churubusco. Although the convent offering no advantage of height over the surrounding terrain, there was a small river, crossed by a bridge, that the U.S. forces would have to negotiate first. In addition to the stone walls of the convent, the defenses included a series of incomplete trenches the Mexicans began digging prior to the attack. The defenders numbered 1,300 men from the Independencia and Bravos battalions (90% of whom had never seen combat) and the Saint Patrick's Battalion (the San Patricios). They also had seven cannon.
Three cannon were placed on the right; two in the center; and the remaining two on the left. Independencia was assigned to defend the upper walls, the right flank leading to the bridge, the unfortified south and north sides, and two adobe huts further forward on the battlefield. The Bravos and the San Patricios were stationed on the left, behind barricades.
[edit] Battle
The first assault by the 6,000-strong U.S. force under William J. Worth and David E. Twiggs was successfully repulsed. Pedro María Anaya, second in command to General Manuel Rincón, managed to repell a particularly fierce attack on the left flank. Just as the bridge looked likely to fall to the invaders, three small groups of militia arrived to reinforce the defenders. Intense fire continued for three or four hours, until Independencia — in spite of a series of urgent messages dispatched behind the lines — ran out of ammunition.
Two of the Mexican cannon had melted and a third had fallen from its mount. Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Peñúñuri of Independencia led a handful of men in a bayonet charge and was defeated. He and Captain Luis Martínez de Castro, who had accompanied him, were later interred with full military honors in a monument at the convent gates.
Officers from the Bravos attempted to raise the white flag over the convent walls on three occasions. They were prevented from doing so, however, by members of the San Patricios who feared the fate that awaited them if they were taken prisoner. Seventy-two were ultimately captured and court-martialed for desertion, including their leader, Jon Riley.
U.S. Infantry Captain James M. Smith mounted the convent wall and raised the white flag of surrender in order to discourage his troops from excesses as they entered the defenseless convent. Arriving some minutes later, General Twiggs saluted the Mexican commanders with military decorum and asked General Anaya to hand over his ammunition. Anaya is reputed to have replied, "If I had any ammunition, you would not be here."
[edit] Aftermath
A brigade of volunteers from New York was billeted to the convent, remaining there until September 7. When they withdrew, they took with them as much booty from the church as they could carry, desecrated the buildings, and destroyed the kitchen garden.
Following their victory at Churubusco, Scott's army was only five miles (8 km) away from Mexico City. A month later, following an abortive ceasefire and failed negotiations, Mexico City fell to U.S. forces.
