The battle of Monterrey Mexico

In September of 1847, Mexican forces under the command of General Pedro de Ampudia took up
positions in the fortified town of Monterrey, (in disobedience of orders from General Santa Anna who
had ordered Ampudia to retreat further to Saltillo). For three days US forces attempted to take the city
with no success.

On the night of the 23rd, after a push to capture the city walls failed, US forces began a retreat. At
the same time General Taylor gave orders for an indiscriminate mortar shelling. This shelling finally broke
Mexican resistance and General Ampudia ordered a white flag of surrender to be flown. The two generals
agreed to an armistice, for a period of several months. Under the terms, the Mexican forces were allowed
to retreat with all arms and battle honors. The terms of the armistice were unpopular in Washington and
ultimately led to General Winfield Scott being placed in charge of the Mexican campaign.

The surrender at Monterrey may have, ultimately, proven equally hard on the Mexican Army. Mexican
soldiers felt that they had beaten the American Army. They felt that they had been forced to surrender
at their moment of triumph. Many soldiers felt disenchanted, that their generals did not have the urge
to win.