It's a Dirty Game

The Mexican War was the nation's first offensive war on foreign soil, called "Mr. Polk's War", and brought enthusiasm from the South and West, but not from the North and East.  Most of the volunteers were a disorderly bunch who didn't follow orders and terrorized the Mexicans by robbing, murdering and raping when they could.  Officers were disgusted with the men, but with only 7,000 troops, they couldn't afford to lose them.  Congress had neglected the Army and was even debating eliminating West Point's military academy at that time.

The two American generals were Brig. General Zachery Taylor and Major General Winfield Scott.  Together they had some 80 years of service.  To his men, Taylor was "Old Rough and Ready", a feisty leader who issued orders sprawled sidesaddle on his horse Old Whitey.  Scott, was nicknamed "Old Fuss and Feathers" and was a huge, vain man, fond of showy uniforms but a serious student of war and a serious fighting man.

Polk was not happy with either man.  Both were hoping to be candidates for President of the United States in 1848 against Polk.   Deciding that Taylor had the better chance, Polk stripped him of his troops, gave them to Scott to march into Mexico City and finish the war, thus giving Scott the glory of winning the war while Taylor was to stand by for defense if needed.  It was dirty politics.

The war was over in 16 months.  There were 4,000 wounded and 13,000 dead - 11,000 of those of disease and accidents.  The peace treaty cost Mexico California and New Mexico, it cost the United States $15 million dollars. 

Next time - Famous Decisive Battles
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Today in Pioneer History: On May 1,  1926, Ford Motor Company becomes one of the first companies in America to adopt a five day, 40 hour week in its factories.