Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park

Background

The Battle of Palo Alto occurred on May 8, 1846, near what is now Brownsville, Texas. Mexican forces under General Mariano Arista had crossed the Rio Grande on April 30, 1846, intending to attack the American forward base, Fort Texas, which was garrisoned by 500 men under Major Jacob Brown. Arista began besieging Fort Texas on May 3; Major Brown was mortally wounded during the siege. Taylor departed Fort Polk on May 7 and marched west.

Arista blocked Taylor along the Port Isabel Road, and the armies met on May 8 around 2 P.M. An initial Mexican cavalry charge was repulsed, and a grass fire forced Arista's line back. After a second failed cavalry charge, Arista advanced on the American left but was driven back by American light artillery. A mixed American force of infantry and dragoons then pressed the retreating Mexican right, driving them from the field. After dusk, Arista withdrew to a dry river bed to the south.

Taylor pursued the next day, leading to the Battle of Resaca de la Palma on May 9. American casualties were 5 dead and 43 wounded; among the dead were Major Brown and Major Samuel Ringgold, whose innovative flying artillery proved decisive.

Administrative history

Originally designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960, the site became Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site in 1978, with a boundary adjustment approved in 1992. In 2009, it was redesignated a National Historical Park, adding the 34-acre Resaca de la Palma Battlefield within Brownsville. The 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act permits adding Fort Brown (166 acres) if a feasibility study supports it.