Battle of Huamantla

The Battle of Huamantla was a U.S. victory late in the Mexican–American War that forced the Mexican Army to lift the Siege of Puebla.[1]:331

Battle of Huamantla
Part of the Mexican–American War

The death of Capt. Walker
DateOctober 9, 1847
Location
Huamantla, Tlaxcala
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States  Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Joseph Lane Antonio López de Santa Anna
Strength
2,700[1]:330 2,000[1]:331
Casualties and losses
13 killed
11 wounded[1]:331		 ?

Background

Santa Anna left Puebla at the end of Sept., to intercept Joseph Lane's relief column, planning an ambush at Paso del Pintal.[1]:331 Learning of Santa Anna's men at Huamantla, Lane left his train under guard and marched toward that city, Captain Samuel H. Walker's four companies of cavalry in the lead.[1]:331

Battle

Walker charged, upon seeing Santa Anna's lancers, driving the Mexicans from the town.[1]:331 Santa Anna led a counterattack, Walker was shot by a civilian in a nearby house, and his men retreated into a church.[1]:331 The Mexicans then retreated to Querétaro.[1]:331

Lane turned his troops loose in a drunken sack of the town.[1]:331 They reached Puebla on 12 Oct. to lift the siege.[1]:331

See also
  • Battles of the Mexican–American War

Order of battle

United States
Brigade Regiments and Other
Lane's Brigade[2][3]

   BG Joseph Lane
  • 4th Indiana Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Willis A. Gorman
  • 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry battalion: Colonel Francis Murray Wynkoop
  • 9th U.S. Infantry, four companies: Major Folliot T. Lally
  • 2nd U.S. Infantry, detachment of six companies: Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman
  • Mounted detachment: Captain Samuel H. Walker
    • Texas Mounted Infantry: Captain Samuel H. Walker
    • Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Besacon
    • Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Lewis
    • Georgia Cavalry: Captain Loyal
  • 3rd Artillery Battalion: Captain George Taylor
    • Field’s Battery: Lt Field
Guarding Supply Train

  
  • 4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Charles H. Brough
  • 7th U.S. Infantry, detachment: Captain Simmons
  • Pratt's Battery, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Lt Pratt

Mexico

Mexican Army: General Antonio López de Santa Anna

References
  1. Bauer, K.J., 1974, The Mexican War, 1846–1848, New York: Macmillan, ISBN 0803261071
  2. History of the Mexican War by Cadmus Marcellus Wilcox
  3. History of the War Between the United States and Mexico by John Stilwell Jenkins

Further reading
  • Nevin, David; editor, The Mexican War (1978)
Justin H. Smith's The War with Mexico

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