Battle of Buena Vista

This battle was fought in the Mexican State of Coahuila which was an important location for the Anishinabe People during the mid and latter part of the 19th century. The whites knew a great many Anishinabe People and their Indian and black allies, were living in the mountainous terrain of Coahuila. They also knew they would not conquer Anishinabe People of not only Coahuila but the rest of northern Mexico which is almost entirely mountainous. After American Soldiers had captured Monterey, Mexico, Gen. Taylor was ordered to stay put in the Monterey, Mexico region but he was a leader who had a mind of his own. He made the decision to act on his own behalf and led a force of over 4,750 American Soldiers towards Agua Nueva, Coahuila, to prepare for a battle against a large Anishinabe Army moving towards the north, to attempt to recapture Saltillo and Monterey. Taylor's force of over 4,750 Soldiers reached the Coahuila town of Buena Vista which is 7 miles south of Saltillo and knew a battle would soon be fought in the vicinity because of reports of the large Anishinabe Army quickly approaching from the south.

On February 23, this major battle for control of Monterey and Saltillo commenced. Anishinabe Soldiers numbered over 16,500, while white Soldiers numbered over 4,750. It was the bloodiest battle of the Mexican-American War. Since the Americans had the superior weapons, they defeated the much larger Anishinabe Army but they endurred over 700 casualties. Anishinabe casualties were 594 killed, 1,039 wounded, 1,800 missing and 294 captured. American casualties were 267 killed, 456 wounded and 23 missing. The whites may have continued to control the large cities in Coahuila but the Anishinabe People and their allies, were still independent in not only Coahuila but also throughout the west of Texas.