Battle of Huamantla

Mexican-American War battle

Battle of Huamantla

The death of Capt. Walker

Date	October 9, 1847
Location	Huamantla, Tlaxcala
Result	American victory

Belligerents

United States

Mexico

Commanders and leaders

Joseph Lane

Antonio López de Santa Anna

Strength

2,700

2,000

Casualties and losses

13 killed
22 wounded
10 missing.

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Battles of the
Mexican–American War

Texas Campaign

California Campaign

New Mexico Campaign

Northern Mexican Theater

Mexico City Campaign

Pacific Coast Campaign

Mosquito Fleet

The Battle of Huamantla was a U.S. victory late in the Mexican–American War that forced the Mexican Army to lift the siege of Puebla.

Background

Santa Anna left Puebla at the end of Sept., to intercept Joseph Lane's relief column, planning an ambush at Paso del Pintal. Learning of Santa Anna's men at Huamantla, Lane left his train under guard and marched toward that city, Captain Samuel H. Walker's four companies of cavalry in the lead.

Battle

Walker charged, upon seeing Santa Anna's lancers, driving the Mexicans from the town. Santa Anna led a counterattack, Walker was shot by a civilian in a nearby house, and his men retreated into a church. The Mexicans then retreated to Querétaro.

Lane turned his troops loose in a drunken sack of the town. They reached Puebla on 12 Oct. to lift the siege.

Order of battle

United States

Brigade	Regiments and Other
Lane's Brigade BG Joseph Lane	4th Indiana Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Willis A. Gorman 1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry battalion: Colonel Francis Murray Wynkoop 9th U.S. Infantry, four companies: Major Folliot T. Lally 2nd U.S. Infantry, detachment of six companies: Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman Mounted detachment: Captain Samuel H. Walker Texas Mounted Infantry: Captain Samuel H. Walker Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Besacon Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Lewis Georgia Cavalry: Captain Loyal 3rd Artillery Battalion: Captain George Taylor Field’s Battery: Lt Field
Guarding Supply Train	4th Ohio Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Charles H. Brough 7th U.S. Infantry, detachment: Captain Simmons Pratt's Battery, 2nd U.S. Artillery: Lt Pratt

Brigade

Regiments and Other

Lane's Brigade

BG Joseph Lane

4th Indiana Volunteer Infantry: Colonel Willis A. Gorman
1st Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry battalion: Colonel Francis Murray Wynkoop
9th U.S. Infantry, four companies: Major Folliot T. Lally
2nd U.S. Infantry, detachment of six companies: Captain Samuel P. Heintzelman
Mounted detachment: Captain Samuel H. Walker
- Texas Mounted Infantry: Captain Samuel H. Walker
- Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Besacon
- Louisiana Cavalry: Captain Lewis
- Georgia Cavalry: Captain Loyal
3rd Artillery Battalion: Captain George Taylor
- Field’s Battery: Lt Field