Battles & Campaigns · 1846
Battle of Palo Alto
Near Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, USA
What happened
A US army under General Zachary Taylor fought a Mexican army under General Mariano Arista. At Palo Alto, on land claimed by both the United States and Mexico, about 8 km from present-day Brownsville, the two armies met on open ground. The US 'flying artillery', light cannons that could fire, move quickly and fire again, beat back the Mexican attacks.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the first major battle of the Mexican-American War. It made Zachary Taylor a national hero.
What came next
The two armies fought again the next day at Resaca de la Palma. The United States formally declared war a few days later.
Did you know?
Several counties in Iowa, and the city of Palo, Iowa, are named after the battle.
Timeline
- 8 May 1846The US wins at Palo Alto.
- 9 May 1846The US wins at Resaca de la Palma.
- May 1846The United States declares war on Mexico.
- 30 March 2009Palo Alto Battlefield becomes a National Historical Park.