Thunder of Cannon: Archeology of the Mexican-American War Battlefield of Palo Alto

249 Pages·1994·12 MB·English

by  Haecker, Charles

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DIVISIONS OF ANTHROPOLOGY AND HISTORY
A THUNDER CANNON
OF
ARCHEOLOGY OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR
BATTLEFIELD OF PALO ALTO
By
CHARLES M. HAECKER
Southwest Cultural Resources Center
Professional Papers No. 52

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A THUNDER CANNON
OF
ARCHEOLOGY OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR BATTLEFIELD OF PALO ALTO
CHARLES M. HAECKER
With Contributions By
Michael Farmer
Eric A. Ratliff
Norman L. Richard
Dr. Alfred T. Richardson
Kevin R. Young
National Park Service - Divisions of Anthropology And History
Southwest Regional Office
Santa Fe, New Mexico
SOUTHWEST CULTURAL RESOURCES CENTER
PROFESSIONAL PAPERS NO. 52
1994

To
Jack and Mary Haecker
PUBLIC DOCUMENTS
P.EPOSITOBY ITEM
v
SEP 5 1994
CLEMSON

ABSTRACT
Palo Alto battlefield is the site of the first majorengagement between the forces of Mexico and
United States during the Mexican-American War. The May 8, 1846 battle was the first between the
United States and a foreign power since the War of 1812. In addition, it was the first major test of
graduates ofthe United States Military Academy against a foreign army. Of all Mexican-American War
battlefields on United States soil (Texas, California, and Mexico), Palo Alto is the only one that has
retained its general physical and visual integrity. Because of its historical significance, Palo Alto
Battlefield NHS was established June 23, 1992, when the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site
Act (P.L. 102-304) established a 3,400-acre national historic site.
As part of the planning process for the new park, the National Park Service authorized an
archeological sample survey of the battlefield as a follow-up to a 1979 preliminary archeological
investigation of Palo Alto. The resultant 1992 and 1993 archeological surveys, conjoined with
documentary research, have contributed information needed for the general management plan of the
park. In addition, the synthesis of archeological and documentary materials derived from this
investigation has produced interesting, sometimes even surprising, insights into the actual conduct of
this battle. Recommendations for future work within the park are also presented.
VII