Siege of Puebla (1847)

Not to be confused with Battle of Puebla or Siege of Puebla (1863).
Siege of Puebla
Part of the Mexican-American War
Date13–14 September until 12 October 1847
LocationPuebla, Puebla
Result American victory
Belligerents
 United States  Mexico
Commanders and leaders
Thomas Childs
Joseph Lane		 Joaquín Rea
Antonio López de Santa Anna
Strength
500 (garrison)
3,000 (relief force)		 4,000
Casualties and losses
78 ?
Justin H. Smith's The War with Mexico

Following the Battle of Chapultepec, Santa Anna withdrew his forces from Mexico City, leading a portion in an attempt to take Puebla and cut off Scott's supply route from Veracruz. The Siege of Puebla began the same day Mexico City fell to Winfield Scott and lasted for 28 days[1]:329 before a relief force fought its way into the city.

Background

General Winfield Scott had a series of garrisons posted along the route from Veracruz to Mexico City to protect his supply lines. One of these garrisons was posted at the city of Puebla, roughly two-thirds of the way to Mexico City from the coast. The garrison was commanded by Major Thomas Childs, serving as a brevet colonel.[1]:329 Childs had 500 soldiers to guard the city. After the fall of Mexico City, General Antonio López de Santa Anna renounced his presidency and split his forces, taking half of them to try to retake Puebla.[1]:328,331 General Joaquín Rea commanded the Mexican guerrilla forces in the area around Puebla.[1]:329

Siege

On the night of 13–14 September 1847, Rea's forces entered the city with 4,000 men.[1]:329 The U.S. forces held the convent, Fort Loretto, and the citadel of San José.[1]:329 Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel W. Black, commander of the First Pennsylvania, was put in command of the citadel, which also served as a hospital for 1,800 sick and wounded soldiers. The Mexicans drove off most of the city's cattle, but Childs was able to save enough to keep from starvation.[1]:329 Rea demanded the garrison's surrender on 16 September, but Childs refused, leading Rea to attack San José, unsuccessfully.[1]:329 Childs repulsed a second attack on 18 Sept.[1]:329

Santa Anna arrived on 22 September, launched a 500-man attack on the convent, once again unsuccessfully, yet called for Childs to surrender, which he refused.[1]:329 The attacks continued from 27 Sept. until 1 Oct.[1]:329

At the end of September, Santa Anna departed with most of the Mexican forces to confront General Joseph Lane's relief column.[1]:329 Santa Anna was defeated at the Battle of Huamantla, allowing Lane to raise the siege on 12 Oct.[1]:331

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Bauer, K.J., 1974, The Mexican War, 1846-1848, New York:Macmillan, ISBN 0803261071

Additional Reading

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