Mr. Polk's Army: The American Military Experience in the Mexican War (Texas a & M University Military History Series)

602 Pages·1997·2.76 MB·English

by  Richard Bruce Winders

Mr. Polk's Army : The American Military
title: Experience in the Mexican War Texas A &
M University Military History Series ; 51
author: Winders, Richard Bruce.
publisher: Texas A&M University Press
isbn10 | asin: 0890967547
print isbn13: 9780890967546
ebook isbn13: 9780585147406
language: English
United States.--Army--History--Mexican
War, 1846-1848, Mexican War, 1846-1848--
Social aspects, United States.--Army--
subject Military life--History--19th century,
Soldiers--United States--History--19th
century, Polk, James K.--(James Knox),-
-1795-1849.
publication date: 1997
lcc: E409.2.W56 1997eb
ddc: 973.6/24
United States.--Army--History--Mexican
War, 1846-1848, Mexican War, 1846-1848--
Social aspects, United States.--Army--
subject: Military life--History--19th century,
Soldiers--United States--History--19th
century, Polk, James K.--(James Knox),-
-1795-1849.
Page i
Mr. Polk's Army
Page iii
Mr. Polk's Army
The American Military Experience in the Mexican War
Richard Bruce Winders
Texas A&M University Press
College Station
Page iv
Copyright © 1997 by Richard Bruce Winders
Manufactured in the United States of America
All rights reserved
First edition
04 03 02 01 00 99 98 97 5 4 3 2 1
The paper used in this book meets the minimum requirements of the
American National Standard for Permanence of Paper for Printed
Library Materials, Z39.48-1984. Binding materials have been chosen
for durability.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Winders, Richard Bruce, 1953-
Mr. Polk's army: the American military experience in the
Mexican War/Richard Bruce Winders.1st ed.
p. cm.(Texas A&M University military history
series; no. 51)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-89096-754-7 (alk. paper)
1. United States. ArmyHistoryMexican War, 1846-1848.
2. Mexican War, 1846-1848Social aspects.
3. United States. ArmyMilitary LifeHistory19th
century. 4. SoldiersUnited StatesHistory19th century.
5. Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1795-1849. I. Title.
II. Series: Texas A&M University military history series; 51.
E409.2.W56 1997
973.6'24dc21 96-37753
CIP

Page v
For Margaret and Sharon
Page vii
Contents
List of Illustrations ix
List of Tables x
Preface xi
Acknowledgments xv
Chapter 1. Jacksonians at War 3
Chapter 2. The American Military Establishment 15
Chapter 3. Mr. Polk's Generals 32
Chapter 4. The Regulars 50
Chapter 5. The Volunteers 66
Chapter 6. Tools of the Trade 88
Chapter 7. Life in Mr. Polk's Army 113
Chapter 8. Dog Cheap to the Living 139
Chapter 9. The Land of the Montezumas 167
Chapter 10. Mr. Polk's Army 186
Epilogue: A Pyrrhic Victory 202
Notes 207
Bibliography 255
Index 273

Page ix
Illustrations
1. Unidentified lieutenant, U.S. Mounted Rifles 10
2. General Taylor 35
3. Unidentified sergeant, U.S. Army 51
4. Unidentified militia soldier 67
5. Artillery ammunition 92
6. Manual of arms 94
7. Drilling recruits 96
8. Small arms 99
9. Camp kitchen 120
10. Bella Union Hotel 123
11. Mrs. Sarah Foyle 124
12. Theatre Del Progreso 134
13. Daguerreotype Notice and Dental Surgeon 135
14. Death of Samuel Ringgold 159
15. Cactus Gigantea, La Palma Bendita, Sword Palmetos, 170
&.
16. Grand Plaza, Camargo 172
17. Mexican belles 176
18. Mexican serape 178
19. Colt's Repeating Arms 182