Operational Art in the Campaign of Stephen Watts Kearny to Conquer New Mexico and California, 1846-7
Abstract
From June 1846 through January 1847, the Army of the West, commanded by Brigadier General Stephen Watts Kearny, marched from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to San Diego, California; annexed New Mexico and Arizona without firing a shot; and gained California for the United States after three engagements. During the campaign, Kearny's command varied in size from 1,700 Missouri volunteers and U.S. Army Dragoons to fewer than 200 soldiers, sailors, marines, and California volunteers. Histories of the campaign have focused on the Battle of San Pasqual and General Kearny's orders before and during the battle in an attempt to explain why things went poorly for U.S. forces during that battle. Kearny's campaign provides tremendous insight into the operational level of war and tactical actions linked toward the accomplishment of strategic goals, because he achieved robust territorial gains that facilitated the United States' expansion to the Pacific Ocean with small and diverse forces. Kearny's defeat at the Battle of San Pasqual, 6-7 December 1847, often overshadows the accomplishments of the overall campaign, but it is worth considering. On the eve of the battle Kearny did not appreciate the significance of his diminished means for accomplishing an attack against the Californios at San Pasqual. Although his available forces had a handful of fresh men from San Diego and his own two artillery pieces, General Kearny decided to attack with only a portion of his dragoons. The Battle of San Pasqual resulted in the loss of 31 Americans killed or wounded and the loss of one of two mountain howitzers. Given that Kearny had adequate intelligence about the terrain and forces he was facing, his decision to attack was a hasty mistake resulting from an inappropriate appreciation of the tactical situation. After recovering at San Diego, however, Kearny led his men in two additional engagements to conclude the successful annexation of California.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 23, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA584190
Entities
People
- Cory S. Hollon
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College