Geometry.Net - Basic A Books: American History Historical Sites

The Battle of Palo Alto marked several firsts in American history: a new generation of professional soldiers--Ulysses S. Grant, George G. Meade, and James Longstreet--provided a wealth of expert knowledge to their senior officers; the military demonstrated the superior qualities of their newly introduced "flying" artillery, one that would see fruition during the far greater epoch of the Civil War; and graduates of the U.S. Military Academy experienced their first major test.

The battle was essentially an artillery duel that pitted highly effective U.S. cannon against Mexican cannon of antiquated design. The Americans rapidly deployed at will two field batteries, each consisting of six- and twelve-pounder guns and howitzers. Two eighteen-pounder siege guns, periodically hauled forward by teams of oxen, contributed to the decimation of the Mexican infantry. In contrast, Mexican four- and eight-pounder guns lacked the maneuverability and range needed to check their aggressive adversary.

Although the Mexicans attempted flanking and frontal attacks on the U.S. lines, they were repulsed with heavy losses. Unable to maneuver, and confused and bloodied after standing all day under artillery fire, the Mexicans withdrew.

In On the Prairie of Palo Alto, Charles M. Haecker and Jeffrey G. Mauck use an interdisciplinary approach, combining research of a historian with that of a historical archaeologist, to present an accurate version of how the battle developed and concluded.

By reviewing historical accounts of the battle, comparing and contrasting both Mexican and U.S. documents pertaining to the battle, analyzing contemporary battlefield maps, and examining relevant areas of the battlefield site itself, the authors have determined that several significant differences between the American and Mexican versions of battle events and that the American version more closely approximates the truth.

Military historians and U.S.–Mexican War enthusiasts will find this analysis of the actual conduct of the battle interesting and insightful.

Challenging common myths about a crucial battle
This excellent book represents battlefield archaeology at its best. For more than 150 years, the history books have gotten many of the facts wrong concerning this crucial battle of the U.S.-Mexican War. For example, because the only U.S. topographical officer who was present at the battle was killed, we only had the Mexican-made map of the battle, which has now been proven innaccurate by modern research of the battlefield. The Mexican battlefield map got the entire positions of the U.S. and Mexican armies wrong! No doubt, many who have studied this battle have wondered why hundreds of Mexican soldiers were killed while only five U.S. soldiers were killed. One common myth is that the U.S. possessed better artillery. Actually, the Mexican artillery would've been just as accurate as the American artillery...if they had possessed the same quality gunpowder. the poor quality of the Mexican gunpowder used in the battle is one of the key factors in their defeat. Also, the American artillery, with officers like the bold Major Ringgold, was directed with deadly accuracy and was so mobile on the battlefield it was called "flying artillery". Sadly, Major Ringgold, one of the best artillery officers in the U.S. army at that time, was mortally wounded during the battle by a Mexican cannon ball. This book disproves the myths about the battle of Palo Alto and presents the facts through archaeology. There are plenty of illustrations throughout this extraordinary book, and it's a must-have for anyone wanting to learn more about the U.S.-Mexican War.

Battlefield Brought To Life
This 227 page book contains copies of the US & Mexican maps of the battlefield, photos of the battlefield today, a superbannotated bibliography, photos and illustrations of artifacts, analysis of weapons & tactics, descriptions of uniforms, sharp modern artwork, easy to read details of how the past and present archaeology was done with suggestions for future work, and quotes from soldiers of both sides who were there.

The research presents new clues to the battle, which may challenge popular misconceptions of both Mexican and US actions in the battle, and provides the potential tourist with places to see.

Masterful blending of archaeology and history.
The authors have blended historical research, terrain analysis, and professional archaeological investigations of this important first battle of the Mexican-American War.This book sets a new standard in the study ofbattles and battlefields and is a brilliant use multidisciplinaryapproaches to the study of the past.The text is very readable, not at alldry and scholarly, although the book is a testament to scholarly researchand analysis.The illustrations are excellent, especially those focusingon the arms and equipment of both the U.S. and Mexican armies.

Thearchaeological artifact finds are very well described and illustrated, andthe chapter on the professional archaeology of the battlefield is veryreadable. It is exciting to be able to see what was really used and lost ona field of battle.

This is a well written and very readable study of asingle battle.Military historians, Hispanic scholars, and archaeologistswill all find this a very useful book.To those interested in the historyof Texas and the Mexican-American War this is a book that should beread.

	Help
Home - Basic A - American History Historical Sites (Books)

102. Refurbished treasures of Merida's past.(describes history and restoration of haciendas in Yucatan, Mexico)(Brief Article): An article from: Business Mexico
	Digital: 2 Pages (2001-12-01) list price: US$5.95 -- used & new: US$5.95 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: B0008IOG18 Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan
Editorial Review Product Description This digital document is an article from Business Mexico, published by American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico A.C. on December 1, 2001. The length of the article is 504 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Refurbished treasures of Merida's past.(describes history and restoration of haciendas in Yucatan, Mexico)(Brief Article) Publication: Business Mexico (Magazine/Journal) Date: December 1, 2001 Publisher: American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico A.C. Volume: 11Issue: 12Page: 77(1) Article Type: Brief Article Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

103. Treasure Island: Cozumel boasts a wealth of history and natural attractions. (Living Mexico).: An article from: Business Mexico by Patricia Alisu
	Digital: 9 Pages (2002-07-01) list price: US$5.95 -- used & new: US$5.95 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: B0009FPN8U Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan
Editorial Review Product Description This digital document is an article from Business Mexico, published by American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico A.C. on July 1, 2002. The length of the article is 2595 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Treasure Island: Cozumel boasts a wealth of history and natural attractions. (Living Mexico). Author: Patricia Alisu Publication: Business Mexico (Magazine/Journal) Date: July 1, 2002 Publisher: American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico A.C. Volume: 12Issue: 8Page: 58(4) Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

104. Captain Jones's Wormslow: A Historical, Archaeological, and Architectural Study of an Eighteenth-Century Plantation Site near Savannah, Georgia by William M. Kelso
	Paperback: 214 Pages (2008-08-15) list price: US$22.95 -- used & new: US$22.95 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: 0820332534 Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan
Editorial Review Product Description During the fall of 1968 and the summer of 1969, William Kelso conducted archaeological excavations at the site of eighteenth-century ruins at Wormslow, near Savannah, Georgia. Historical records indicated that the ruins were the remains of Fort Wimberly, most likely constructed by Noble Jones, an original settler of Georgia. Records further suggested that Fort Wimberly had been constructed on the site of Jones's earlier fortification, a timber guardhouse known as Jones's Fort, built in 1739 and 1740. The existence of these two structures, built at different times on the same location, made possible an archaeological study of two periods of Georgia coastal fortifications. The earlier was built as a major link in General James Oglethorpe's chain of defenses against the Spanish threat from Florida in the 1740s and the later presumably was built to repel the French. The project also presented another important opportunity--the chance to define what effect the semitropical, hostile border environment of colonial Georgia had on the plantation development scheme of at least one English settler. Mr. Kelso's report of his excavations begins with a documentary history of Wormslow, followed by a presentation of the archaeological evidence that correlates it with the historical documents. Ultimately he reconstructs the site based on the historical and archaeological evidence, an architectural study of the ruins, and information about early Georgia architecture in general and other eighteenth-century buildings in particular. The report concludes with a detailed study of the artifacts with illustrations, descriptions, and identifications of the important pieces. ... Read more

106. Archaeology of Two North California Sites (Cotsen Monograph) by Joseph L Chartkoff, Kerry Kona Chartkoff, F K Mulligan, Delmer E Sanburg
	Paperback: 92 Pages (1983-12-31) list price: US$20.00 -- used & new: US$9.58 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: 0917956419 Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan
Editorial Review Product Description Two site reports from northern California: Archaeology at the Hackney Site, Mariposa County; and Excavations at the Patrick Site (4-Butte-1). ... Read more

107. Pueblo Bonito (Archeological Papers of the American Museum of Natural History, V. 27.) by George H. Pepper
	Hardcover: 398 Pages (1996-10) list price: US$45.00 Isbn: 0826317359 Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan
Editorial Review Product Description One of the most spectacular ruins in North America isPueblo Bonito, located at Chaco Canyon in northwestern NewMexico. This book, originally published in 1920 and unavailable fordecades, describes the earliest archaeological investigations ofPueblo Bonito. The excavations at Bonito, begun a century ago, in1896, were overseen by the American Museum of Natural History, whichpublished Pepper's book. To celebrate a century of archaeology atPueblo Bonito the book is reissued with an introduction that providescontext for archaeologists and visitors to Chaco. ... Read more

110. The Site of Old "James Towne", 1607-1698: A Brief Historical and Topographical Sketch of the First American Metropolis by Samuel H. Yonge
	Paperback: 110 Pages (2010-01-09) list price: US$19.75 -- used & new: US$12.64 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: 114121802X Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan
Editorial Review Product Description This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923.This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process.We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book. ... Read more

111. The Site Of Old "james Towne," 1607-1698. A Brief Historical And Topographical Sketch Of The First American Metropolis, Illustrated With Original Maps, Drawings And Photographs
	Paperback: 118 Pages (2010-10-15) list price: US$19.75 -- used & new: US$19.75 (price subject to change: see help) Asin: 1172229163 Canada \| United Kingdom \| Germany \| France \| Japan