History -- Battlefield Detectives: The Mexican-American War: Palo Alto

On May 8th 1846 the armies of Mexico and the United States met in battle at a place called Palo Alto, near Brownsville, deep in Southern Texas. The two countries had been anticipating war since the annexation of Texas in 1845 - For Mexico, Texas was too important to surrender and at Palo Alto, the battle began. The future President, General Zachary Taylor led the Americans. Among his officers, 51 future generals including Ulysses S. Grant and George Meade. The US commanders in the field represented a new generation of professional soldiers.