With the beginning of the Mexican-American War in May 1846, American forces under Major General Zachary Taylor won quick victories at the Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma before advancing to capture the fortress city of Monterrey. With Taylor at Monterrey, discussions began in Washington regarding future American strategy. It was decided that a strike directly at the Mexican capital at Mexico City would be the key to winning the war. As a 500-mile march from Monterrey over rugged terrain was deemed impractical, the decision was made to land on the coast near Veracruz and march inland.
This decision made, President James K. Polk was forced to decide on a commander for the mission. While Taylor was popular, he was an outspoken Whig who had frequently criticized Polk publically. Polk, a Democrat, would have preferred one of his own, but lacking an appropriate candidate, selected Major General Winfield Scott who, though a Whig, posed less of a political threat. The sitting General-in-Chief of the US Army, Scott was a more talented general than Taylor and had come to prominence during the War of 1812. To create Scott's invasion force, the bulk of Taylor's veteran troops were ordered to the coast.
On November 14, 1847, the US Navy captured the Mexican port of Tampico. Arriving at Lobos Island, fifty miles south of the city, on February 21, 1847, Scott found few of the 20,000 men he had been promised. Over the next several days, more men arrived and Scott came to command three divisions led by Brigadier Generals William Worth and David Twiggs, and Major General Robert Patterson. These were supported by a force of dragoons under Colonel William Harney. By March 2, Scott had around 10,000 men and his transports began moving south protected by Commodore David Connor's Home Squadron.
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