Setting the stage for the Mexican War was the settlers who went into the Mexican Territory known as Texas. The famous declaration of independence from Mexico by those settlers in March 1836 set the stage for the destruction of the Alamo by General
Santa Ana. Americans surged against and defeated him at San Jacinto. For nearly ten years Texas existed as an independent republic desiring to be annexed by the United States. But many northerners fought this because they saw it as a way for the southern states to expand slavery.
Congress admitted Texas into the Union in March 1845 after James K. Polk was elected
President. Brig. Gen. Zachary Taylor would move his force to the Rio Grande River to repel any invasion by Mexico. From Henry County, Georgia several families would move to this new frontier to settle. Thus leaving a decline in the county’s population for a while.
There would be battles along the border with the Mexicans that led to the Declaration of War against Mexico by Congress on May 13, 1846. There would be several large engagements between the two armies. Battle names would be Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo,
Buena Vista, Monterrey, Contreras, Churubusco, Chapultepec, and Mexico City. The U.S. would occupy Mexico City. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of Feb. 2, 1848 would bring an end to hostilities. It was ratified by our Senate on March 10th and in Mexico on May 30th. We would gain the lands of New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, part of Wyoming, parts of Colorado, Upper California and a boundary set between the U.S. and Mexico plus a $15 million payment for former reparations to Mexico. Many leaders who fought together in the war would fight against each other in the Civil War. Also, new tactics of warfare would be learned during this war.
References:
1. The Alamo, 1936.
2. The U.S. Army Archives, 1969.
