1. Discuss Winfield Scott’s campaign to capture Mexico City. How did his campaign impact the war? Why have some historians and military leaders viewed his campaign as one of the finest in the annals of American warfare?

Known by various colloquial names such as "Old Fuss and Feathers" and the "Grand Old Man of the Army," Winifred Scott served on active duty as a general longer than any other man in American history and many historians rate him the best American commander of his time. Over the course of his forty-seven-year career, he commanded forces in various military campaigns. He served as Commanding General of the United States Army for twenty years, longer than any other holder of the office. Scott was particular known for always being able to beat the odds. On his march from the coast to attack Mexico City, Scott met up with Santa Anna. Scott had just 8500 men while Santa Anna lay in hiding along the road with the much more robust number of 12,000. Scott sent his Calvary on ahead of the main unit, and Anna, who thought it was time to spring the ambush, fired on Scott's Mounties. This actually revealed Anna's position to Scott. He took his main forces off the road and sent them around to the North to attack Anna from his flank. Anna's men had to fall back. Scott won many more skirmishes against superior troops before finally taking the City of Mexico itself.
Scott's campaigns and his capture of the capital signaled the end of the Civil War. Scott is praised because of the exceptional men he influenced during his tenure. He had men like Ulysses Grant, George Meade, and Robert Lee under his command. He was not just a general, but he was a general who trained generals. The famous Duke of Wellington, who was able to defeat Napoleon, said that Scott was the greatest living general to ever command in battle. For example, the Duke took into account all of Scott's victories; and many were won on strategy alone.

2. Discuss the military campaigns and battles of Zachery Taylor in the Mexican War. How would you rate him as a commander? What impact did the war have on Taylor’s career?

Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States (1849–1850) and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as part of the Whig party in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass. Interestingly, Taylor was the last President to hold slaves while in office, and the second and also last Whig to win a presidential election.

The Mexican war was a battle between the United States and Mexico, resulting in the cession by Mexico of lands now constituting all or most of the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado. As a commander, Zachary Taylor was informal and relaxed with his men, and because of this, they loved him. However, when it came to fighting, Taylor was aggressive and determined. Even though this characterized his military style, after securing several victories in the Mexican War, Taylor became hesitant. As a result, many criticized him and as a result, some of his troops were sent to fight with Winfield Scott (a move that helped to win the war). Unlike Winfield Scott, Taylor was not as shrewd a tactician and his lack of skill proved costly. Because of this, Taylor was assigned to guard Monterrey, as Scott’s troops fought their way to Mexico City and a victory. Taylor and his troops were able to secure Northern Mexico, but only because Santa Ana wanted to save his troops to fight Winfield Scott in Mexico City.

As a commander, I would rate Taylor highly for personality, but low for strategy. Really, I would have rather fought with Winfield Scott, despite his pompous character. He was a savvier and a much more skilled leader. Nonetheless, the Mexican War impacted Taylor’s career greatly. He was given the nomination of the Whig Party and was eventually elected president. Politically, he and Winfield Scott were rivals as well. However, Scott, unlike Taylor, was not seen as a down-to-earth sort due to his leanings for pomp and circumstance. Although Scott was talented with military strategy, he was not a favorite of his men. Oddly, Meed wrote, “His campaign was based on his military prowess and ignored the looming conflict over slavery (Meed, 2002)."

References

Eisenhower, J. (1997) Agent of Destiny: The Life and Times of General Winfield Scott New York: The Free Press.

Meed, D. (2002) The Mexican War, 1846-1848. New York: Routledge: 9, 20.