“Take those guns and by God keep them!” (Eisenhower 50). Zachary Taylor yelled this to the Eighth Infantry. Taylor was a general for the U.S. Army in the many battles that were a part of the Mexican War. His greatest accomplishments were going to blockade the Rio Grande, winning the Battle of Resaca de la Palma for argued land, and negotiating the evacuation of Monterrey. Zachary Taylor’s achievements made him an American legend. A year after the Revolutionary War ended, Zachary Taylor was born. He was born on November 24, 1784, in Orange County, Virginia. In August 1785, the Taylor family moved to Kentucky. When Zachary Taylor was growing up, he grew up in an atmosphere where danger was accepted. He learned to read and write at an early age. …show more content…
Taylor started to march on August 17, 1846, with 6,000 men. The march was 170 miles to Monterrey and most of the men were either ill or dying. There were 3,000 regulars and 3,000 volunteers. The supplies left from the previous battles limited how many men Taylor could take. Taylor and his men did not arrive in Monterrey until September 19, 1846. Taylor’s plan for Monterrey was to cross the Rio Grande, occupy Matamoros, and then move on to Monterrey. While the Mexicans celebrated Independence Day, the U.S. troops advanced into the city. Once they were into the city, Taylor realized they were in trouble. His men only had a few siege guns while Monterrey was defended by 9,000 Mexicans with a 38-cannon. Taylor decided that for a start he would send Worth to cut off the enemy’s supply route. This would not be enough. Taylor needed a better strategy for the actual fight. The battle started the next day on September 20. It started with a light artillery opened fire. In the beginning, Taylor gave vague instructions which led to confusion. This first day was the worst of the four. Taylor ordered one division to seize the road to Saltillo. On the 21, the artillery against fortifications started. The 22, the U.S. Army soldiers fought in the streets. Then Taylor’s troops used a 10-inch mortar to shell Mexican troops (Henry Primary Source Documents). This went on to the 24 of September when the Mexicans surrendered. Later that day, the Mexican tricolor flag was taken down and the Star-Spangled Banner waved. This final battle helped everyone believe that Taylor deserved the title of National Hero of the Mexican