The Inauspicious Naming of the ‘War of 1812’ and Gulf Theater
In mid-1848 the second Anglo-American war was finally given its name. On June 23 of that year, at the conclusion of the Mexican-American War (1846–48), the Daily Union of Washington DC r
Mexican-American War and Caste War: Coinciding Conflicts in the Gulf of Mexico, 1847
The Caste War of Yucatan (1847–1901), which erupted at the height of the Mexican-American War (1846–8) due to a myriad of internal and external events impacting th
The Breakaway Republics: Texas, Yucatan, and US-Mexican War, 1835-1848
Editor's Note: The following article is from excerpts of Benjamin J. Swenson's new book to be released this fall. Addiitonal publication details below.
In the summer of 1847 at the height of the Mexican-American War President James K. Polk sent a mounted regiment of Texas Rangers under Colonel John Coffee “Jack” Hays to Mexico to confront guerrillas attacking US Army convoys between Mexico City and
In the summer of 1847, using presidential powers authorized by Congress, US Commander-in-Chief James K. Polk sent a mounted regiment of Texas Rangers under Colonel John Coffee “Jack” Hays to Mexico to confront guerrillas attacking US Army convoys b
In late April of 1847, at the height of the Mexican-American War, General Winfield Scott, the commander of the campaign to seize Mexico City, asked General Zachary Taylor for mounted units to fight guerrillas attacking U.S. supply convoys along the
Why did the United States go to War in 1812? What compelled this nation, less than thirty years from its War of Independence with a vast wilderness awaiting development and hostile Indians beyond its frontiers, choose to take on its former colonia
The French and Indian War, fought from 28 May 1754 to 10 February 1763, was a pivotal moment in American history. The war was given its name by the colonists "after the people they were fighting in North America." (Lepore 2018, 77) Although it is o
The War of 1812 is a fascinating period in American history, and there are many great books that explore this conflict in detail. Here are some of the best books on the War of 1812:
The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict by Donald R. Hickey - This b
Above: First Lieutenant Presley O'Bannon, USMC (with raised rifle) at Derna. Source: Colonel Charles Waterhouse, U.S. Marines (Marine Corps Art Collection). Public Domain.
The Battle of Derna was fought and won during the First Barbary War, also kno
"Some people are fond of saying that the "tricorne" (actually a cocked hat) which I wear is supposed to be worn with the point facing straight ahead, rather than off to the side. They could not be more wrong. Let's talk about the reason why."
Washington enters New York City at British evacuation, November 1783. Title: "Evacuation Day" and Washington's Triumphal Entry in New York City, Nov. 25th, 1783. Summary: Print showing George Washington and other military officers riding on horsebac
Above: The Death of General Warren at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Painting by 18th-Century artist John Trumbull: From the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. Photograph within the Public Domain.
The Battle of Bunker Hill was one of the earliest battles of th
