Mexican-American War

Texas is annexed

Dec 29, 1845

Texas becomes the 28th state. Mexico claims Texas is still part of Mexico.

General Zach Taylor

Mar 8, 1846

leads the U.S. Army to the Rio Grande

U.S. Army arrives at the Rio Grande

Mar 28, 1846

They begin to construct a fort opposite of Matamoros

General Mariano Arista arrives in Matamoros

Apr 24, 1846

He takes command of the Mexican Army,
and orders soldiers to cross the Rio Grande.

The Mexican Army crosses the Rio Grande

Apr 30, 1846

There is a skirmish at Rancho Carricitos which ends with 46 U.S. soldiers captured

The U.S. Army marches to Point Isabel

May 1, 1846

to get supplies

General Taylor returns to the fort with men and supplies

May 7, 1846

He rescues the fort

Battle of Palo Alto

May 8, 1846

The armies of Arista and Taylor fight to a standstill. Both armies spend the night on the battlefield

Battle of Resaca de la Palma

May 9, 1846

General Arista's army is defeated and pushed back to Matamoros. Major Jacob Brown dies defending the fort & President Polk learns of the battles.

The U.S. Congress declares war on Mexico.

May 13, 1846

Battle of Monterrey

Sep 24, 1846

U.S. Victory

Battle of Buena Vista

Feb 22, 1847

U.S. Victory

Siege of Vera Cruz

Mar 9, 1847

20 day siege of the Mexican seaport Veracruz - ended in Mexican surrender

U.S. troops occupy Mexico City

Sep 14, 1847

The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo is signed

Feb 2, 1848

The Treaty establishes the Rio Grande as the boundary between the United States and Mexico