A Perfect Gibraltar: The Battle for Monterrey, Mexico, 1846 (Volume 26)

Campaigns and Commanders #26

by Christopher D. Dishman

For three days in the fall of 1846, U.S. and Mexican soldiers fought fiercely in the picturesque city of Monterrey, turning the northern Mexican town, known for its towering mountains and luxurious gardens, into one of the nineteenth century's most gruesome battlefields. Led by Brigadier General Zachary Taylor, graduates of the U.S. Military Academy encountered a city almost perfectly protected by mountains, a river, and a vast plain. Monterrey's ideal defensive position inspired more than one U.S. soldier to call the city "a perfect Gibraltar." The first day of fighting was deadly for the Americans, especially the newly graduated West Point cadets. But they soon adjusted their tactics and began fighting building to building. Chris D. Dishman conveys in a vivid narrative the intensity and drama of the Battle of Monterrey, which marked the first time U.S. troops engaged in prolonged urban combat. Future Civil War generals and West Point graduates fought desperately alongside rough Texan, Mississippian, and Tennessean volunteers. General Taylor engineered one of the army's first wars of maneuver at Monterrey by sending the bulk of his troops against the weakest part of the city, and embedded press reporters wrote eyewitness accounts of the action for readers back in the States. Dishman interweaves descriptions of troop maneuvers and clashes between units using pistols and rifles with accounts of hand-to-hand combat involving edged weapons, stones, clubs, and bare hands. He brings regular soldiers and citizen volunteers to life in personal vignettes that draw on firsthand accounts from letters, diaries, and reports written by men on both sides. An epilogue carries the narrative thread to the conclusion of the war. Dishman has canvassed a wide range of Mexican and American sources and walked Monterrey's streets and battlefields. Accompanied by maps and period illustrations, this skillfully written history will interest scholars, history enthusiasts, and everyone who enjoys a true war story well told.

344 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2010

About the author

Christopher D. Dishman works at the Department of Homeland Security, South Central Region.

Reviews

[Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

The city I love, the war I studied, and I still learned a ton from this book. It was meticulously researched, from the overarching movements of the armies to the individual compelling anecdotes.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice addition to the scholarly body of work on the Mexican War. Dish man provides a comprehensive account of the battle, giving a large share of the credit to the Texas Volunteers. The follow-on chapters that describe the remainder of the war are superfluous but do not detract from the heart of the book. He gives Taylor a pass on his lenient armistice post- arrow and generally sticks to the tactical rather than address any strategic matters. Overall a useful and in depth description of all the battle's elements.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thorough analysis of one of the key battles of the Mexican-American War. Dishman provides a compelling narrative of the war leading up to Monterrey and a thorough description of the events of the three days. Dishman is even-handed in his evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the generals and armies. This is well worth reading.

[Schoppie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book! As mentioned in the dust jacket, it is a campaign/battle study of the type often written about Civil War battles. Chris D. Dishman went to great efforts to ensure balance in the sources and narrative. That is something missing from many treatments of the Mexican-American War. While the book generally remains American-focused, the author includes primary sources from Mexican officers and private soldiers, which presents their perspective well and enriches the narrative.

The author demonstrates that General Zachary Taylor was not at his best during the Battle of Monterrey, though he certainly did better than his Mexican counterpart, General Pedro Ampudia. Generals William Worth, John Garland, and Persifor Smith were the ablest American leaders, and Dishman makes a convincing case that they are the leaders who shaped the victory more than any other.

Finally, this book contains a wealth of information on the two regiments of Texas volunteers which served with Taylor's army at Monterrey. The battle could likely not have been won without the service of the Texas troops, many of whom served the Republic of Texas as Texas Rangers prior to annexation. Their experiences with urban warfare at San Antonio in 1835 and Mier in 1842 gave them invaluable experience which they passed on to other American troops at Monterrey. Specifically, the Texas volunteers and the U.S. Regulars made an excellent team - one which resulted in the most successful assault of the battle.

This book is recommended by some of the best historians of the Mexican-American War, and I join them in encouraging all interested in the conflict to read Dishman's book!

[Robert Jr. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as part of the research I did for a novel I was writing, but I found it to be a tremendously interesting book about the battle of Monterrey. It was well written and provided great details about the battle.

If you have an interest in America's military history, you should read this book. The exploits of Worth and the Texas Rangers over on the west side of Monterrey are thrilling, and it's hard to imagine.

[Joseph P. Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Done!

Extremely well-researched, well-written and engaging book that presents facts in a coherent, colorful and insightful manner. Strong treatment of the battlefield character of key figures in the conflict. Great analysis of tactics as well as wider context of battle. As enjoyable as educational.

[Rick Cheeseman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid, concise, and detailed. I'm a sucker for military history books, and though this started out slow for me it did hold interest throughout. Not a dramatic thriller, more of just that facts type of book.

[Matthew Ericson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Gripping narrative. His primary sources were woven in seamlessly. A must read.