First Battle of Tuxpan
First Battle of Tuxpan | |||||||
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Part of Mexican-American War | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States | Mexico | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Matthew C. Perry | Martin Perfecto de Cos | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
Mosquito Fleet 1,519 marines[1]:337 | 300-400[1]:337 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
2 killed, 19 wounded[1]:337 | unknown |
The First Battle of Tuxpan was the only major battle fought during the Mexican-American War at Tuxpan, Mexico.[1]:337
Background
Commodore Matthew C. Perry's Home Squadron extended its blockade of Mexico's eastern ports to include Tuxpan and Tabasco, more commonly known as Villahermosa.[1]:337 Perry's Mosquito Fleet carrying a landing force of 1,519 men and four pieces of artillery, reached the mouth of the Tuxpan River on 17 April. The Mexicans had five batteries with eight guns each, and about 400 men under the command of General Martin Perfecto de Cos, along the six mile approach to the town.[1]:337
Battle
On 18 April, Perry's crafts towed 30 barges upriver, and secured two downriver fortifications and those at the edge of town by 3 PM.[1]:337 The town surrendered by 4 PM, when Perry removed the guns and destroyed the fortifications before evacuating the town on 22 April, keeping a pair of craft to blockade the river.[1]:337
References
Additional Reading
- Nevin, David; editor, The Mexican War (1978)