The Mexican-American War Experiences of Twelve Civil War Generals

"Historians have tended to downplay the Mexican-American War (1846-1848) experiences of United States Army officers who went on to form the leadership corps of both armies during the American Civil War. This volume, edited by Mexican-American War expert Timothy Johnson, argues instead that scholars should view the conflict as a formative experience for the three hundred-plus future Civil War generals who served in Mexico as lower-grade officers. For many of them, it was their first combat experience. West Point had provided an excellent education in specialized fields, but the Mexican laboratory equipped a generation of young officers with practical lessons in strategy, tactics, logistics, and interpersonal relationships. Thus, the Mexican-American War was an important proving ground for young officers who would command forces in both the Union and Confederate armies a decade and a half later. A dozen distinguished Civil War scholars contributed essays to the collection. Each explores the Mexican War influence on the leadership of a prominent Civil War general, bridging the gap between the two conflicts and suggesting discernable connections. They reveal that the lessons young American officers learned in Mexico were often more subtle than explicit, explaining why scholars have neglected the war with Mexico in many cases when analyzing Civil War generalship. Overall, the volume clarifies that the Mexican-American War played a central, albeit understated, role in developing Civil War leadership and command practices."--