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What happened at the Battle of Cerro Gordo?

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How the Mexican-American War changed the U.S. forever — Mexican-American War Learn how the Mexican-American War ultimately pushed the United States closer to civil war.

The Battle of Cerro Gordo (April 1847) was a significant confrontation during the Mexican-American War that occurred at a mountain pass northwest of Veracruz.1

General Winfield Scott, leading 8,500 U.S. troops toward the interior of Mexico, encountered a force of 12,000 soldiers under General Antonio López de Santa Anna entrenched in the pass. During the engagement, a flanking maneuver to reach the Mexican rear—suggested and guided by Captain Robert E. Lee—was underway when fighting broke out on the front, causing the Mexican lines to collapse.1

Santa Anna managed to escape, but his forces suffered approximately 1,130 casualties and 3,000 soldiers were taken prisoner. The U.S. forces sustained 431 casualties, including 63 deaths. Following this victory, Scott continued his advance toward Puebla and eventually Mexico City, a campaign that ultimately secured a U.S. victory in the war.12