British Bulldog
The United States Army initially had 10,000 men. The U.S. by this time had dropped militia for war purposes. They relied on volunteers early in the war.
The Mexican army started initially with 20,000 men. The Mexican republic’s finances were in good shape. For years, Mexico hired foreign advisors to reform the Mexican army, trained a better officer corps, upgraded the army’s equipment. Tactics and doctrine were also improved. While Philippines recruited Prussian advisors, the Mexicans hired French advisors. Mexico also had their own multiple arsenals that can produce 200,000 modern rifles per annum. They were not as productive as those in Britain or in Manila but had achieved what Spain was producing during the Napoleonic wars, Peninsula war. With the start of British-U.S. war, Mexico also received financial and material aid from the British. Mexico drafted all able-bodied men. Mexico also recruited female soldiers, Soldaderas.
General Taylor’s army had swelled to 10,000. U.S. initially sieged San Antonio only to find a Mexican army arriving before they can take San Antonio. The Mexican army that arrived was slightly larger than the U.S. Army.
Battle was fierce as both armies were well trained and equipped. Neither had gained the upper hand but both had received equal number of casualties.
Then, another larger Mexican army arrived. These were armies that were freed up due to British naval presence and aid.
U.S Army retreated before being surrounded by two Mexican armies.
U.S. tried to delay the Mexican armies on their retreat back to Sabine River. The U.S. Army meant for Vera Cruz did not push thru due to British blockade.
In Santa Fe, the U.S. army also retreated as they were beaten by a larger Mexican army. The battle of Apache Canyon and harassment of Native American Indians gave sufficient time for Mexicans to gather in Santa Fe while whittling down Kearny’s army. Kearny's army retreated back to Kansas.
Mexicans in California also contributed to the war as Mexican troops tried to push north to Oregon territory to help the British.
When the war with United States and Mexico began, Philippine representatives in Mexico and United States did not immediately react to the situation. Philippine representatives verbally promised neutrality to hawkish, expansionist US politicians in the Pacific in a case of a Mexican war. With no declaration of war from Philippines even months after the start of Mexican war, the U.S. felt the Philippine promises were true. But Philippine representatives had orders to wait for British response. After the recognition of hostilities by Britain and United States, the Philippine ambassador sent its formal declaration of war to the United States. Some of the U.S. politicians felt betrayed, all of them that favored war with Britain.
The U.S. newspapers did not see the Philippines in a good light and took jabs at the emperor. The cartoon in the United States newspapers had Queen Victoria holding a leash on a bulldog with Emperor Andes head imposed on the bulldog. Americans called Andres a British pet, a loyal pet and barking whenever, wherever the master commands.
But the pet has a dangerous bite.
Unknown at the time, the Emperor in Manila using the emperor’s eyes already had an extensive espionage network in the United States by 1846. Andres felt threatened by the size United States economy, demographics, influence in the Pacific and the United States Navy patrolling the Pacific for years despite having no ports in the Pacific. He feared future U.S. expansions in Philippine sphere of influence. Philippines believes the Pacific belongs to them and only to be shared with the British.
These espionage networks started with informants, eventually influencing the US elections, US Congress votes, lobbying for politicians that benefits the interests of the Philippines. Philippine interests required United states not having access to the Pacific to the point that Philippines supported US politicians who favored war with Britain. From a U.S. perspective, Philippines donated discretely for politicians who aggressively pushed for US expansion even if it costed a war with the British.
By the time US Pacific Squadron arrive in the Mexican Pacific, the US Navy still unaware of the hostilities with Britain had started. The US Pacific Squadron was deployed before Britain entered the war. The Squadron took a while to arrive in the Pacific passing thru Cape Horn. The US Navy initially engaged the Philippine San Francisco Naval Squadron only to see the Royal Navy engaging them as well. US Naval information was also 6 years late by 1846. The Philippine squadron was reinforced with faster ships, more sloops to complement the Royal navy in the Pacific. The Allies chose to fight the US Navy near Acapulco rather than near Valparaiso, Chile like in the War of 1812.
All of the US Pacific Squadron ships were eventually captured or sunk.
In the Western Pacific, the United States did not fare any better. The Royal Navy and Philippine Navy chased down any ship with a US flag. US trade Ships in China remained in port after the initially reports of boarding by the Royal and Philippine Navies.
Philippine Imperial Galleons joined the fray to chase slower ships. Philippine Clippers were armed to chase down faster US Clipper ships.
Combined Mexican and British forces in Oregon pushed the United States outside of Oregon Territory.
The British plans succeeded using Red River colony as the focal point for British forces that pushed into the lightly colonized Great Plains.
One of the Mexican armies in San Antonio pushed North combined with the army of Santa Fe took Fort Leavenworth.
Another Mexican army sieged New Orleans with the British.
U.S. Congress after receiving reports of U.S. defeat in Mexico and Mexican draft, started their own conscription. The draft was not well received in certain areas. Riots had to be put down by federal authorities while several forts and towns in Great Plains were lost, New Orleans under siege. Mexico also had a head start on the draft and was recruiting female soldiers. US Industry and manpower start to roll but as more and more British forces pour in North America, US forces had to split their forces and defend multiple invaders.
The British blockade was also taking its toll on the US economy. With the prospect of fighting a long-protracted war with both Mexico and Britain inside the borders of United States, Buchanan sues for peace.
The treaty of London was signed by four countries, Britain, Mexico, USA and the Philippines.
The British takes Oregon territory, large swathes of Great Plains lightly populated by the United States. Britain also takes parts of Maine. Mexico was given parts of Great Plains. Mexico wanted more from the United States including reparations. With U.S. threatening to continue the war, Britain negotiates with Mexico.
Britain and Mexico sign a separate defensive treaty in North America in a case of another war with the United States. Britain promises to invest and help Mexico build a canal in Isthmus of Tehuantepec. Philippine was invited to invest on the canal. The canal will be under the control of Britain in perpetuity.
With British assurance, Mexico cancels the treaty with the Philippines expelling their base from San Francisco, including their California extraction rights.
Philippines accepts Mexican decision. They already have extracted a certain amount of Mexican gold and kept confiscated American trade goods as more than sufficient payment. Philippines will also save money (basing San Francisco) since Britain will now act as the protector of Mexico in the Pacific. Mexican California has grown significantly that towns in California can easily replenish, repair Philippine merchant ships without Philippines spending an upkeep for a station.
