Desperate Stand: The Battle of Buena Vista

Desperate Stand: The Battle of Buena Vista is the fourth in a series about the Mexican War, which was the U.S. Army's first experience waging an extended conflict in a foreign land.

This brief war is often overlooked by casual students of history since it occurred so close to the American Civil War and is overshadowed by the latter's sheer size and scope. Yet, the Mexican War was instrumental in shaping the geographical boundaries of the United States. At the conclusion of this conflict, the U.S. had added some one million square miles of territory. The Mexican War still has much to teach us about projecting force, conducting operations in hostile territory with a small force that is dwarfed by the local population, urban combat, the difficulties of occupation, and the courage and perseverance of individual soldiers.

This is one of eight pamphlets by Stephen A. Carney planned to provide an accessible and readable account of the U.S. Army's role and achievements in the conflict.

Related products:

Mexican -American War resources collection can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/us-military-history/battles-wars/mexic...

The Battle for Al-Qaim and the Campaign to Secure the Western Euphrates River Valley, September 2005-March 2006 is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-055-00259-1

U.S. Marines in Battle: Fort Fisher, December 1864-January 1865 is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-055-00254-1

U.S. Marines in Battle: An-Nasiriyah, 23 March-April 2003 is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-055-00241-9

U.S. Marines in Battle: An-Najaf, August 2004 is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-055-00240-1

Three Battles: Arnavelle, Altuzzo and Schmidt -Print Paperback format -can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-029-00496-8

The Battle of Cedar Creek: Self Guided Tour is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-029-00214-1

History of the U.S. Army Battle Command Training Program, 1986-2003 is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-020-01566-1

Battle of Antietam is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/products/sku/008-029-00491-7

American Armies and Battlefields in Europe is available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/node/21907/edit

Other products produced by the U.S. Army, Center of Military History (CMH) can be found here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/

Teachers and students would find this book to be useful when learning about the Mexican-American War.