Battle of Huamantla

The Battle of Huamantla was a U.S. victory late in the Mexican-American War that forced the Mexican Army to lift the Siege of Puebla.

Background

Santa left Puebla at the end of Sept., to intercept Joseph Lane's relief column, planning an ambush at Paso del Pintal. Learning of Santa Anna's men at Huamantla, Lane left his train under guard and marched toward that city, Captain Samuel H. Walker's four companies of cavalry in the lead.

Battle

Walker charged, upon seeing Santa Anna's lancers, driving the Mexicans from the town. Santa Anna led a counterattack, Walker was shot by a civilian in a nearby house, and his men retreated into a church. The Mexicans then retreated to Querétaro.

Lane turned his troops loose in a drunken sack of the town. They reached Puebla on 12 Oct. to lift the siege.

See also

• Battles of the Mexican-American War

Order of battle

United States

Brigade	Regiments and Other
Lane's Brigade    BG Joseph Lane	4th Indiana Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Willis A. Gorman 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry battalion: Colonel Francis Murray Wynkoop 9th U.S. Infantry, four companies: Major Folliot T. Lally 2nd U.S. Infantry, detachment of six companies: Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman Mounted detachment: Captain Samuel H. Walker Texas Mounted Infantry: Captain Samuel H. Walker Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Besacon Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Lewis Georgia Cavalry: Captain Loyal 3rd Artillery Battalion: Captain George Taylor Field’s Battery: Lt Field
Guarding Supply Train	4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Charles H. Brough 7th U.S. Infantry, detachment: Captain Simmons Pratt’s Battery, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Lt Pratt

United States

Mexican Army: General Antonio López de Santa Anna

Additional Reading

• Nevin, David; editor, The Mexican War (1978)

External links

• From the Baltimore Republican and Argus
• A Continent Divided: The U.S. - Mexico War, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies, the University of Texas at Arlington

Justin H. Smith's The War with Mexico