Battle of Churubusco[]

The Battle of Churubusco, fought on August 20, 1847, was a pivotal engagement during the Mexican-American War. It occurred just hours after the Battle of Contreras, as General Winfield Scott’s U.S. Army pursued the retreating Mexican forces toward Mexico City. Despite fierce resistance, the U.S. forces overwhelmed the Mexican defenders, bringing them one step closer to capturing the Mexican capital.

Background[]

After the Battle of Contreras (August 19–20, 1847), in which U.S. forces routed General Gabriel Valencia’s army, the surviving Mexican troops fled toward Churubusco, a fortified position seven miles south of Mexico City. Churubusco was an important defensive point with a stone convent-turned-fortress, a bridge, and a network of entrenchments manned by Mexican troops and the San Patricio Battalion—a group of Irish-American deserters who fought for Mexico.

General Winfield Scott, commanding the U.S. Army, immediately ordered a pursuit of the retreating Mexican forces, aiming to strike before they could regroup. The Mexican defense was led by General Pedro María de Anaya, with reinforcements arriving under General Manuel Rincón.

Battle[]

American Advance and Assault[]

On the morning of August 20, Scott’s army, having won at Contreras just hours before, advanced toward Churubusco. The attack was divided into three prongs:

General David Twiggs' division (including officers such as Captain Robert E. Lee, Captain Earl Van Dorn and Captain Ulysses S. Grant) attacked the main road leading to Churubusco.
General William J. Worth’s division, including Brigadier General Franklin Pierce, attacked the convent and its surrounding defenses.
General Gideon Pillow’s division assaulted the Mexican positions at the bridge over the Churubusco River.

Fierce Mexican Resistance[]

The Mexican defenders, heavily outnumbered but well-fortified, fought with determination. The San Patricio Battalion, made up largely of Irish and European deserters, operated Mexican artillery with deadly accuracy, inflicting significant casualties on the Americans.

Brigadier General Franklin Pierce, already injured from falling off his horse at Contreras, attempted to lead his brigade but collapsed again due to his injury, reducing his effectiveness in the battle.

Breakthrough and Mexican Surrender[]

Despite the strong defense, the U.S. forces gradually overwhelmed the Mexican positions:

Twiggs' division breached the outer defenses and engaged in hand-to-hand combat.
Worth’s forces stormed the convent, fighting through heavy musket fire.
Pillow’s troops eventually seized the bridge, cutting off escape routes.

As the Mexican forces ran low on ammunition, General Anaya refused to surrender outright, famously stating, “If I had ammunition, you would not be here.” However, by the afternoon, the Mexican resistance collapsed, and hundreds of soldiers, including many from the San Patricio Battalion, were captured.

Aftermath[]

Casualties and Prisoners[]

The Battle of Churubusco resulted in heavy casualties on both sides:

U.S. Army: Approximately 1,000 killed and wounded
Mexican Army: Over 4,000 casualties and prisoners

Many San Patricios were captured, with dozens later executed or flogged for desertion.

Path to Mexico City[]

With Churubusco secured, General Scott halted his army’s advance to allow for negotiations. However, talks failed, and U.S. forces resumed their offensive in September, culminating in the Battle of Molino del Rey and the Storming of Chapultepec, leading to the capture of Mexico City on September 14, 1847.

Legacy[]

The Battle of Churubusco was a turning point in the Mexican-American War, demonstrating the U.S. Army’s ability to win battles in rapid succession. It also cemented the reputation of officers like Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, and William J. Worth, who later played key roles in the American Civil War.

The San Patricio Battalion remains a controversial and revered group in Mexican history, honored for their loyalty despite facing brutal punishments.

Today, the ex-Convent of Churubusco is a national museum in Mexico City, preserving the history of the battle and its impact on the war.

References[]

Bauer, K. Jack. The Mexican War, 1846-1848. University of Nebraska Press, 1992.
Eisenhower, John S.D. So Far from God: The U.S. War with Mexico, 1846-1848. Random House, 1989.
Smith, Justin H. The War with Mexico, Vol. 2. Macmillan, 1919.

Battle of Churubusco

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