Climax at Buena Vista: The Decisive Battle of the Mexican-American War

Great Battles of History

by David Lavender

The ferocity and magnitude of the American Civil War eclipses that of all other nineteenth-century conflicts, but the hard fighting and tactics that played out between the North and South were first developed during the Mexican-American War of the late 1840s. It was during this struggle between two regional powers that the United States showed that it could muster soldiers representing far-flung states of the Union—Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi—and officers fresh from West Point, testing the military preparedness of the young nation.

In Climax at Buena Vista , David Lavender tells the complete story of the turning point in the Mexican-American War. In an effort to secure Texas firmly as a state, the United States declared war on Mexico and launched an invasion, including an effort to capture Mexico City from the north and from the coast. The American plans fell short, however, and attempts were made to achieve a decisive victory through shifting troops to various points of attack.

This strategy depleted the forces led by General Zachary Taylor, and in February 1847, near the small outpost of Buena Vista, he and his roughly 4,500 regulars found themselves facing an army of more than 20,000 Mexican soldiers led by General Antonio López de Santa Anna. What should have been a rout ended up in a draw, with the American troops maneuvering quickly and regrouping in order to keep the surrounding Mexican troops from completely overrunning their position. Santa Anna was forced to withdraw and, with the Mexican forces demoralized, the Americans were able to reignite the offensive and ultimately force Mexico to sue for peace.

David Lavender's acclaimed account of this battle allows the reader to understand the complex and confusing movements of the opposing forces, and it places the war in the greater American political context, where huge territories were acquired and future presidents groomed.

Genres: History

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

David Sievert Lavender was a well-known historian of the Western United States, nominated twice for the Pulitzer Prize, who is best remembered by many for his River Runners of the Grand Canyon.

Lavender spent most of his life in Ojai, California. An articulate and deeply knowledgeable speaker on the political and social history of the American West, he often spoke at the annual Telluride Film Festival.

Reviews

[Jerome Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on one of the most important campaigns of the Mexican War. The author’s research is solid and the narrative is enjoyable and easy to read. He gives a great sense of the terrain issues during the battle.

The maps were few, but they were pretty useful. Still, this is well-researched, absorbing and informative look at the war’s decisive battle.

[Matt Fernwalt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author tells the complete story of the turning point in the Mexican-American War. This book allows the reader to understand the complex and confusing movements of the opposing forces. The book explains the importance of us securing Texas as a state of the Union.

[Matthew Ericson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed. Although it had good information, the fight at Buena Vista was almost an after thought and not given much attention. The best part was in what brought war. Worth a read, but there needs to be a good campaign study of the battle.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty standard military history. So Far from God by Eisenhower was a much better book on the Mexican-American war.