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Namesake
Veracruz - Vera Cruz Veracruz (U.S.-Mexican War), 1847. Convinced that Gen. Zachary Taylor could not win a final victory in northern Mexico, President James Polk
ordered a new United States offensive early in 1847. Its aim was Mexico City, by way of a landing on the east coast at Veracruz, then the strongest fortress in the
Western Hemisphere. On March 9 a fleet under Com. Matthew Perry (later succeeded by Com. David Conner) carried Gen. Winfield Scott and 13,000 troops to
Veracruz. The army landed almost unopposed on the beaches south of the fortress in the first large-scale amphibious operation in American history. After building up
their beachhead for two weeks, Scott's troops laid siege to Veracruz, defended by some 5,000 Mexicans under Gen. Morales. A six-day bombardment by artillery and
naval guns brought a capitulation of the city and its castle of San Juan de Ulu'a on March 27. The siege cost the defenders 80 military and 100 civilian casualties.
American losses were 82, including 19 killed. Scott occupied Veracruz two days later and then began preparing for the march inland to Mexico City, 264 miles away.
Photo - The amphibious assault on Veracruz, N. Currier, circa 1840 (Wikipedia)
Map - Siege of Veracruz, General Map, Justin H. Smith - "The War with Mexico"
| Tommy Trampp |
