Battle of Contreras[]

The Battle of Contreras, fought on August 19–20, 1847, was a decisive engagement during the Mexican-American War. It took place near the village of Contreras, southwest of Mexico City, and resulted in a swift and overwhelming victory for the United States Army under Major General Winfield Scott against the Mexican Army commanded by General Gabriel Valencia.

Background[]

After a series of victories, the U.S. Army, under General Winfield Scott, advanced toward Mexico City. The approach was heavily defended by Mexican forces, who had fortified key positions along the route. One of these defensive positions was at Contreras, where General Gabriel Valencia, without direct orders from Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna, had entrenched his army on high ground, believing his position to be nearly impregnable. His force consisted of around 5,000 troops and 22 cannons, blocking the American advance.

Battle[]

August 19, 1847 – Skirmishes and Initial Assault[]

On August 19, the U.S. forces under General Persifor F. Smith, Brigadier General Franklin Pierce, and Brigadier General William J. Worth encountered Valencia’s well-defended position at Contreras. The terrain was rugged and difficult, with lava beds known as El Pedregal creating natural fortifications for the Mexican defenders. American forces struggled in the initial skirmishes, as Valencia’s artillery rained down heavy fire. However, General Scott, assessing the situation, planned a night maneuver to flank and overwhelm the Mexican position.

Among the officers involved in this campaign was Captain Earl Van Dorn, who served in the U.S. Army’s elite light infantry forces. Van Dorn, a young and aggressive officer at the time, played a role in the night movements and attack plans. His boldness and skill in maneuvering troops through difficult terrain would later define his career in both the U.S. and Confederate armies.

August 20, 1847 – American Flanking Attack[]

Under cover of darkness, General Smith led a flanking movement through the difficult terrain, surprising the Mexican defenders at dawn. The U.S. forces launched a coordinated attack, with General Gideon Pillow striking from the front while Smith’s force attacked from the rear. The Mexican troops, caught off guard and outflanked, quickly fell into disarray. Within 17 minutes, Valencia’s army collapsed, fleeing in a rout toward Mexico City. Many Mexican soldiers abandoned their weapons, and the Americans captured 22 cannons, supplies, and a large number of prisoners.

Captain Earl Van Dorn distinguished himself in the battle, showing the aggressive fighting style that would later define his military career. His leadership in maneuvering his men through rugged terrain and engaging the enemy contributed to the quick victory. His actions at Contreras were part of the experience that built his reputation as a bold and daring officer.

Aftermath[]

The Battle of Contreras was a decisive victory for the United States, demonstrating the effectiveness of Winfield Scott’s strategic planning and the ability of American forces to maneuver in difficult terrain. The Mexican army suffered over 700 killed and wounded, with around 800 captured, while U.S. casualties were light, numbering fewer than 60 killed or wounded.

The victory at Contreras opened the road to Mexico City, allowing American forces to push forward. The battle was immediately followed by the Battle of Churubusco later that same day, as the retreating Mexican forces regrouped but were again defeated.

Legacy[]

The Battle of Contreras is remembered as one of the most efficient victories of the Mexican-American War. It showcased the tactical ingenuity of the U.S. Army and significantly weakened Mexican resistance on the road to Mexico City, which fell less than a month later. Several U.S. soldiers and officers who fought in the battle later became prominent figures in the American Civil War, including Robert E. Lee, Ulysses S. Grant, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and Earl Van Dorn. Van Dorn would later serve as a Confederate general, known for his cavalry raids and aggressive tactics during the Civil War.

The battle is commemorated in the Mural of the Battle of Contreras at the National Museum of Interventions in Mexico City, which highlights the role the engagement played in the larger conflict.

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.
Evans, David. Van Dorn: The Life and Times of a Confederate General. Texas A&M University Press, 2000.

Battle of Contreras

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