A Gallant Little Army: The Mexico City Campaign

Modern War Studies

by Timothy D. Johnson

In 1847 General Winfield Scott boldly led a small but undaunted army from the Mexican coast all the way to the Halls of Montezuma, routing Mexican forces at every turn while pacifying the countryside. Scott's military campaign—America's first ever in a foreign country—helped pave the way for victory in the wider war against Mexico and also posed new challenges for discipline, logistics, and the treatment of civilians. Yet it has remained largely neglected by historians.

In this first book-length study of Scott's brilliant six-month campaign, Timothy Johnson shows how Scott overcame such obstacles as inadequate supplies, intense officer rivalries, and lack of support from President Polk—not to mention a country full of potentially hostile Mexicans—to keep his army intact deep in enemy territory and win the war. He interweaves a compelling narrative of the campaign—including detailed battle replays, terrain descriptions, and eyewitness accounts—with a comprehensive analysis of strategy, operations, and tactics. Along the way, he also provides considerable insight into Scott's efforts to fight a "limited war" by combining military force with diplomatic negotiation and by implementing a pacification plan that now seems far ahead of its time.

Scott developed a sophisticated strategy of moderation to end the war by employing a sword-and-olive-branch approach. Although his army repeatedly won battles against superior numbers as it drove ever deeper into Mexico's interior, Scott paused after each contest to give the enemy an opportunity to sue for peace. And by respecting civilian property and purchasing supplies from the populace, his troops limited local support for guerrillas that threatened communication lines. Meanwhile on the battlefield, Scott successfully executed surprise flank attacks at Cerro Gordo and Padierna, tactical masterpieces that inspired a generation of Civil War generals—like Grant, Lee, McClellan, and countless others.

Providing the definitive work on the Mexico City campaign, A Gallant Little Army highlights the visionary command of a legendary general, the flinty toughness of the troops he led, and the emergence of the United States as a potential global military power.

Genres: Military History, History, American History

376 pages, Hardcover

First published September 12, 2007

About the author

Timothy D. Johnson is University Research Professor in History at Lipscomb University, where he has taught since 1991. Johnson earned his B.S. in history, his M.Ed. in education, and his M.A. and Ph.D., History from the University of Alabama.

Reviews

[Jerome Otte · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, analytical study of Scott’s campaign for Mexico City. Johnson’s book is well written and dramatic. He gives us vivid portraits of Winfield Scott and his officers (such as Lee and Grant), making good use of primary source material. Johnson provides a good, balanced portrait of Scott, and does a good job showing how Scott dealt with matters ranging from logistics to planning to how to deal with the local population. Johnson’s analysis is pretty thorough.

Johnson shows how Scott dealt with both enemy forces he encountered as well as obstacles put in his way by his superiors and subordinates. More than one hundred soldiers and officers involved in the campaign would later fight in the Civil War, and Johnson shows how the campaign affected them.

Unfortunately, Johnson makes little effort to cover the campaign from Mexico’s perspective, which leaves the reader puzzled as to how Scott’s numerically inferior force managed to win so many victories. Also, the maps are too small and poorly produced. Still, the book deserves kudos for its strong narrative, thorough analysis, and attention to detail.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study of Winfield Scott's Mexico City campaign. Johnson provides brilliant assessments of the tactical, operational, strategic, and political aspects of the campaign. His analysis of Scott's strategy of moderation is particularly insightful. I only wish the publisher had allowed a full page for each map instead of half a page, but that's a minor quibble. I may assign his to military history class to show the connections between goals and means.

[Sean Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid narrative of what many, including myself, consider to be the most brilliant military campaign ever carried out by the American army. My only gripes are the average maps, some questionable analysis of how the war fits into the broader context of American military history (and the Civil War), and a prose style that while solid, never sings. Still, its a first rate work and the best on the topic. Not that the competition is stiff in this regard.

[Ian Fleischmann · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an introduction and generic history of the Vera Cruz Campaign of the Mexican-American War, Gallant Little Army more than suffices. Johnson covers the strategic motivations of Polk and the US as well as the progress of political negotiations throughout and concluding the campaign. He does not really address Taylor's expedition except where Scott draws troops from Taylor's forces. The battle descriptions are more than detailed enough for tactical analysis, but his operational analysis seems to occasionally get lost in the details of soldier memoirs. For example, he does not address the ongoing naval campaign just to the south of Vera Cruz and the corresponding guerrilla movement, nor does he spend much time on the selection of an overland route. He does discuss Scott's famous decision to cut his own line of communication (sort of) but does not address Scott's decisions on operational formations given his choice of route. I imagine much of these details could be gleaned from a reading of Scott's memoirs in addition to Gallant.
Johnson's depiction of the parochial nature of the senior officer corps in the US Army is not one I had ever heard of before and it might be one of the most valuable parts of this book. For those who delude themselves with Fox News propaganda about how President Obama is shaping the officer corps, they should really take a look at Polk and some of his ridiculous stunts. History, it's educational.

[Glenn Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written account of the Southern portion of the Mexican American War from Veracruz to Mexico City, led by General Winfred Scott. Many of the future military leaders of both the Confederacy and the Union participated in various roles during this war. Santa Anna clearly was not much of a leader. While the military was conducting the campaign, President Polk and his diplomats were working to develop treaty negotiations, but were being deceived by Santa Anna and his crew, so General Scott proceeded on towards Mexico City. Also, in the book is many accounts of the key battles, the office politics, petty difference and more.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A less than inclusive history of the forces under General Winfield Scott during the Mexican-American War. US Marines who played a significant role at the Battle of Chapultepec and the Texas forces [rangers] who protected Scott's supply lines and served as counter-guerrilla forces are totally ignored even though they were part of Scott's army.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading this book, I knew very little about the Mexican-American War or much about the Mexico City Campaign. After reading this book, I came away with a different perspective on the war and the campaign. This book was an excellent read. The flow and style of the writer kept my attention and that is critical.

This book also shed some light on characters who would later distinguish themselves in the American Civil War. I also found that this book provided some insight in the politics of the time and specifically that of the Polk Administration. I was also pleased to see that the author did not shy away from the war crimes committed by both sides during the campaign.

I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn a little bit more about war that is often forgotten or passed over.

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Gallant Little Army by timothy Johnson is a military analysis of the Mexico City Campaign in the Mexican American War of 1848. The book focuses on Winfield Scott and several of the other generals who would become famous during the Civil War. The book shows the talent of the military staff at the time and the success of limited, modern and strategic war. Fast campaigns and mass tactics, striking at weak points and so forth were followed religiously by the army. The split between Scott and Pillow is well documented. Appearances form AP Hill, Robert E Lee, Grant, and JEB Stuart are also covered. This is one of the classic military histories of the conflict and well done if you have an interest in the subject.

[Strick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Aaron Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading about Scott's campaign from Vera Cruz to Mexico City was very informative. I really liked learning about this campaign.

[Brian Thorson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great summary of the GEN Scott / Mexico City Campaign of the Mexican American War. The only reason I’m not giving a five star rating is because the author doesn’t often examine events from a Mexican perspective, only a US perspective.

[Rob Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was great. Having done very little study on this campaign previously, I found that this book was excellent at describing the tactical, operational, and strategic aspects of the drive to Mexico City. My only complaints are that the book needs more (and more detailed) maps and sketches.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very coherently written account of Scott's invasion of Mexico. Covers the details well, is not boring, describes both the action and the strategy and does not rely too heavily on the written accounts of the participants. Just a well done historical book.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well done. I knew little of this campaign. Throws light on the Civil War, e.g. Cerro Gordo vs Chancellorsville, etc.

[Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Gen. Scott, if not for your actions during the Mexican-American War, Utah would have been in Mexico!

[Ryan McCallum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good depth here. A must read in conjunction with "No. IV. GENERAL SCOTT'S PLAN OF OPERATIONS" and the Official reports of the battles ( as taken from www.dmev.org/mexwar/ )

[Matthew Ericson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book. A must read for any student of the Mexican War.