Battle of Churubusco | |||||||
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Part of the Mexican–American War | |||||||
Battle of Churubusco, J. Cameron, published by Nathaniel Currier | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States | Mexico | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Winfield Scott Seth Thornton † |
Pedro Anaya John Riley | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
8,497[1]: 301 | 1,400 | ||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
139 killed 865 wounded 40 missing[1]: 301 |
263 killed 460 wounded 20 missing.[1]: 301 1,261 captured[1]: 301 |
The Battle of Churubusco took place on August 20, 1847, while Santa Anna's army was in retreat from the Battle of Contreras or Battle of Padierna during the Mexican–American War. It was the battle where the San Patricio Battalion, made up largely of US deserters, made their last stand against U.S. forces. The U.S. Army was victorious, outnumbering more than six-to-one the defending Mexican troops. After the battle, the U.S. Army was only 5 miles (8 km) away from Mexico City. 50 Saint Patrick's Battalion members were officially executed by the U.S. Army, all but two by hanging. Collectively, this was the largest mass execution in United States history.