Mexican-American Artillery Research Paper

Artillery in the United States military throughout the years has evolved with the times, becoming more prominent with the addition of new technology and the refining of tactics. Innovations to the maneuverability and capabilities of artillery in the United States Army was proven critical in shaping the outcomes of battles. Battles during the Mexican-American war were a perfect example of how these innovations made instant impacts. This paper will discuss the progressive heritage and history of artillery, the evolution of artillery, and the effects artillery had on the military problem and leadership. Pre-dating the Mexican-American war, American artillery was still organized in a Napoleonic fashion until the institution of light artillery

American artillery could often be moved forward of the front lines due to the short effective range of Mexican rifles and artillery, allowing for greater effects on target, while maintaining the capability to readily pull back out of range to rinse and repeat. This change to the methods of use of artillery in the theatre of operation gave leaders, who initially did not have faith in artillery, the confidence to utilize artillery on the battlefield. Early in the war at the Battle of Palo Alto, Brevet Brigadier General Zachary Taylor, taking the advice of the young junior officers on his staff, emplaced his two siege cannons in the center of his line and fired on the Mexican advance. His remaining guns were sent to the Mexican flanks utilizing the quickness of the flying artillery. During this engagement, the Mexicans were effectively pushed back taking nearly 800 casualties, 320 of them mortally wounded, due in large part to the effective artillery fires (Dundas, 2017). The junior officers that advised this tactic were Taylors West Point graduates notably 2d Lieutenant Ulysses S. Grant and 2d Lieutenant George C. Meade. Gen. Taylor, in the conflicts to