Battle of Huamantla

Part of the Mexican-American War

The death of Capt. Walker

Date	October 9, 1847
Location	Huamantla, Tlaxcala
Result	American victory

Belligerents

United States

Mexico

Commanders and leaders

Joseph Lane

Antonio López de Santa Anna

Strength

2,700^[1]^:330

2,000^[1]^:331

Casualties and losses

13 killed
11 wounded^[1]^:331

Mexican–American War

Texas Campaign

California Campaign

New Mexico Campaign

Northern Mexican Theater

Mexico City Campaign

Pacific Coast Campaign

Mosquito Fleet

The Battle of Huamantla was a U.S. victory late in the Mexican-American War that forced the Mexican Army to lift the Siege of Puebla.^[1]^:331

Background

Santa left Puebla at the end of Sept., to intercept Joseph Lane's relief column, planning an ambush at Paso del Pintal.^[1]^:331 Learning of Santa Anna's men at Huamantla, Lane left his train under guard and marched toward that city, Captain Samuel H. Walker's four companies of cavalry in the lead.^[1]^:331

Battle

Walker charged, upon seeing Santa Anna's lancers, driving the Mexicans from the town.^[1]^:331 Santa Anna led a counterattack, Walker was shot by a civilian in a nearby house, and his men retreated into a church.^[1]^:331 The Mexicans then retreated to Querétaro.^[1]^:331

Lane turned his troops loose in a drunken sack of the town.^[1]^:331 They reached Puebla on 12 Oct. to lift the siege.^[1]^:331

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 1.10 Bauer, K.J., 1974, The Mexican War, 1846-1848, New York:Macmillan, ISBN0803261071

Additional Reading

Nevin, David; editor, The Mexican War (1978)

External links

From the Baltimore Republican and Argus
A Continent Divided: The U.S. - Mexico War, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies, the University of Texas at Arlington

Justin H. Smith's The War with Mexico