Trailing Clouds of Glory: Zachary Taylor's Mexican War Campaign and His Emerging Civil War Leaders

by Felice Flanery Lewis

This work is a narrative of Zachary Taylor’s Mexican War campaign, from the formation of his army in 1844 to his last battle at Buena Vista in 1847, with emphasis on the 163 men in his “Army of Occupation” who became Confederate or Union generals in the Civil War. It clarifies what being a Mexican War veteran meant in their cases, how they interacted with one another, how they performed their various duties, and how they reacted under fire. Referring to developments in Washington, D.C., and other theaters of the war, this book provides a comprehensive picture of the early years of the conflict based on army records and the letters and diaries of the participants.
Trailing Clouds of Glory is the first examination of the roles played in the Mexican War by the large number of men who served with Taylor and who would be prominent in the next war, both as volunteer and regular army officers, and it provides fresh information, even on such subjects as Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant. Particularly interesting for the student of the Civil War are largely unknown aspects of the Mexican War service of Daniel Harvey Hill, Braxton Bragg, and Thomas W. Sherman.

Genres: Presidents

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Jerome Otte · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough, detailed history of Zachary Taylor’s Mexican War campaigns, with great portraits of Taylor’s subordinates, many of whom would later fight in the Civil War. Unlike many historians, Lewis makes no claims that the war served as any sort of “training ground” for the later conflict. While this could be true to some extent, it is still difficult to discern exactly what lessons they took away from it, and in any case, those two conflicts were very different.

Lewis’s book is, of course, focused on Taylor, whom she portrays as a simple and practical man, both rational and passionate. The author begins with describing Taylor’s original mission, which was to guard the Texas border as that territory completed its admission as a US state. The author then transitions as Taylor moves into disputed territory as Polk assumes office. Although Taylor’s subordinates knew this was risky, they disbelieved that a war would break out.

As the actual fighting begins, the author stays focused on battlefield actions, carefully examining all of the engagements Taylor was involved in, with an emphasis on leadership and tactical development. Jefferson Davis’s actions during the battle of Buena Vista have often been lauded as decisive. As Lewis shows, this was not the case, nor was his tactical ability particularly brilliant. Lewis also shows how Polk marginalized Taylor despite his newfound heroic status, especially as talk of his candidacy as president grew more fervent.

A fine book on Taylor’s northern campaigns. Much of the book deals with the experiences of future Civil War commanders. Most of these are well-known, but for some reason Lewis assumes that no one knows who George Meade was (“Meade...would years later lead thousands of Union troops during the crucial Gettysburg battle”). And at one point she writes that “officers destined to become Civil War generals in Butler’s division included Colonel Jefferson Davis.” But, in all, a must-read for anyone interested in the Mexican-American War.

[Jim Bowen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't know it you've ever read the bible, but one of the things I remember was all the lists of name. Abraham begat Isaac. Isaac begat Jacob. Jacob begat Judas etc. etc. This book is like that, and it's not meant to be a compliment.

I expected this book to look at Zachary Taylor, and his campaign to relieve Mexico from a lot of its territory. I understand that it would look at his subordinates, but this book manages to do this without really discussing Taylor much, and focussing on his subordinates al most entirely, instead. Grant did this. Jackson did that. Lee did the other. It got so that Taylor ends up feeling like he was a secondary character in his own book.

This sense that Taylor wasn't the star of his own book is heightened when, in the final chapter, Taylor's senior commander steps in, and sweeps through some of Mexico, once Taylor has done all the hard work.

This isn't a bad book. I just doubt I'd've read it had I not been trying to read a book about all the US Presidents.

[Steve Rice · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of the 12th US President and his generalship during the Mexican War. This was a tough book, read like a textbook, and really had to put my head down and plow through this. The only thing really interesting was the amount of future Civil War generals that cut their military teeth as junior officers during the Mexican War.

[Mellissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5’s// UGghhhhhhhh. Very dry book on the exploits of upcoming civil war generals. This was very much a war book and not much about actual people. I gave two stars because I did learn a few interesting things and I got hear about the early histories of towns where I lived in Texas. (32/100) #readlist2021

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A favorable reassessment of the generalship of Zachary Taylor with special emphasis on the officers who served under his command in the Mexican-American War who went on to become general officers in the American Civil War.

[Larrydiday · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but it felt more like a role call than an actual description of events. If name-dropping was a book, it would be this. It was a struggle to get through and I I don't feel like much knowledge was garnered.

[Beverlee Jobrack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thorough detailed overview of the Mexican War. Clearly the author read many letters that soldiers wrote to their families. So many soldiers would later fight in the Civil War on different sides. Chilling.

[Allie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Focused entirely on the Mexican War; the names of up and coming military leaders become familiar as the Civil War nears.

[Gregp · Rating 3 out of 5]

6 out of 10