The following are known Battles of the Mexican-American War. This list includes all major engagements and most reported skirmishes.
The list includes all battles and skirmishes taking place during the Mexican-American War; this includes two major engagements, the Battle of Palo Alto, and the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, which took place prior to the official start of hostilities between the two powers.
Battles of the Mexican-American War, 1846-1848
Key: (A) – American Victory; (M) – Mexican Victory; (I) – Inconclusive.
Important Note: It is a common misconception to confuse "Monterrey, Nuevo León" with "Monterey, California". These are, in fact, two very different battles.
1846
1847
- January
- 2nd: Battle of Santa Clara – Clash in California. (A)
- 8th: Battle of Rio San Gabriel – Part of a series of battles for control of Los Angeles (A)
- 9th: Battle of La Mesa – last conflict before U.S. forces enter Los Angeles (A)
- 24th: Battle of Cañada – U.S. and Mexican forces clash in New Mexico (A)
- 24th: Battle of Mora – U.S. and Mexican forces clash in New Mexico (A)
- March
- 9th-29th: Battle of Veracruz – Beginning with Marine landings, U.S. forces besiege and gradually encircle Mexican Marines and Coast Guard in vicious twenty-day siege (A)
- August
- 19th: Battle of Contreras – Santa Anna fails to support Mexican line at a critical moment; turns victory into rout. (A)
- 20th: Battle of Churubusco – Regular Mexican troops and San Patricios under Manuel Rincón hold a fortified monastery against Winfield Scott; San Patricios decimated. (A)
- September – Throughout the month, reports of guerrilla attacks on U.S. army hospitals, supply columns, and camps reach epidemic proportions
1848
- January-August
- Mexican Guerrillas harass U.S. Army of Occupation. Formal fighting, however, has ceased by the end of January.
References
Bauer, K. Jack, "The Mexican-American War 1846-48"