American Forces Landing at Vera Cruz, 1847

color lithograph

PRINTS - LITHOGRAPHS
Mexico, Veracruz
March 09, 1847
9.94 x 14.13 x 0

Color lithograph illustrating the landing of American forces at Veracruz, Mexico, on March 9, 1847. Printed across the bottom of the lithograph; "Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1847 by N. Currier, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern District of N.Y./ LANDING OF THE AMERICAN FORCES UNDER GENL. SCOTT/ AT VERA CRUZ MARCH 9th 1847./ The Colors of the United States were triumphantly planted ashore, in full view of the City and Castle. and under the distant fire of both. - The whole army reached the shore in fine style without accident or loss./ 459." Printed in the lower left; "LITH. & PUB. BY N. CURRIER," and lower right; "152 NASSAU ST. COR. OF SPRUCE N.Y."

Although the artist has depicted the Home Squadron�s ships as classic large sailing vessels, they actually included several of the navy�s newest side-wheel and screw-propelled auxiliary steamships.

On 9 March 1847 the U.S. Navy's Home Squadron conducted the navy�s first large-scale amphibious operation, landing General Winfield Scott�s U.S. Army forces, as depicted here. Two weeks later the squadron bombarded the defenses of Veracruz and captured the port. The squadron also extended a blockade along the entire Mexican east coast while Scott�s army, landed just 150 miles from the Mexican capital, defeated the Mexican defenders and captured Mexico City in September. Mexico surrendered, and a treaty was ratified the following year, by which California, New Mexico, and west Texas became U.S. territory.

UNIDENTIFIED naval vessel
1953.3940