- Published: September 7, 2022
- Updated: September 7, 2022
- University / College: University of Calgary
- Level: Ph.D
- Language: English
- Downloads: 5
Discuss the military campaigns and battles of Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War. How would you ratehim as a commander? What impact did the war have on Taylor’s career?
Introduction
Zachary Taylor was the American military leader who later on served the United States’ 12th President. He undertook numerous military campaigns and battles particularly in the Mexican War. He reinforced the claim by the Americans that the border was at the Rio Grande, a claim that did not augur well with Mexican resulting to the Mexican War (Roberts 88). Battle of Palo Alto was one of Taylor’s notable military campaigns; he applied a military tactic called “ Flying Artillery” which Mexican Army could not counter. The second notable military campaign by Taylor was the Battle of Resaca de la Palma where American forces prevailed at a relatively higher number of Mexican forces. The Assault on Monterrey and Battle of Buena Vista are the other two military campaigns and battles by Taylor where he recorded notable success against the enemies. In the former, he was able to make Monterrey fall to American forces, and in the later battle, he oversaw the Mexicans withdrawing and essentially bringing to an end the northern Mexico fighting (Millett, Peter and William 206).
I would rate Zachary Taylor as an accomplished and able commander. This view is informed by the fact that he was able to commandeer American forces during the Mexican War and ensured America’s victory in the War with the forces suffering fewer casualties compared to the enemy (Millett, Peter and William 231). Ultimately, after suffering enormous losses, Mexicans withdrew and the fighting in the northern Mexico ended. The war had significant impact on Taylor’s career; his victory enhanced his national reputation. After seeing the end to the conflict, he ventured into politics and easily defeated his main rival Lewis Cass in the 1848 presidential election (Roberts 125).
Works Cited
Millett, Allan R, Peter Maslowski, and William B. Feis. For the Common Defense: A Military
History of the United States from 1607 to 2012. New York: Free Press, 2012. Print.
Roberts, Jeremy. Zachary Taylor. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co, 2005. Print.
