Combat and Non-Combat Losses While battle deaths amounted to only 1.5% of the troops (a total of 1721), those from disease (mostly yellow fever and dysentery) and other non-combat causes were nearly 10% (a total of 11,155). Almost 8% deserted. Nothing illustrates better the difficulties in maintaining the health of the troops under the conditions of the campaign and the state of medical knowledge than these figures. The high incidence of desertion eloquently bespeaks the unwillingness of the Mexican War era soldier to serve his nation at personal discomfort. Regulars Volunteers Totals KIA 585 607 1192 Died of Wounds 425 104 529 Disease, executions, 4899 6256 11155 accidents, and misc. Wounded in Action 2745 1357 4102 Discharged for 2554 7200 9754 disability Deserters 5331 3876 9207 Battle Losses Engaged KIA WIA MIA Total Losses Palo Alto & : 2288 : 38 : 137 : 2 : 177 Resaca de la (8 & 9 Mex: 3709 Mex: 256 Mex: 334 Mex: 182 Mex: 772 May 1846) (20-24 Sep : 6220 : 120 : 369 : 43 : 532 1846) Mex: 7303 Mex: ~ 140 Mex: ~227 Mex: 0 Mex: 367 (22 & 23 : 4594 : 272 : 387 : 6 : 665 Feb 1847) Mex: 14000 Mex: 591 Mex: 1048 Mex: 1894 Mex: 3533 Churubusco : 8497 : 133 : 865 : 0 : 998 (20 Aug 1847) Mex: ~10000 Mex: ~694 Mex: Mex: 1639 Mex: ~1000 (POW’s) ~3000 Molino del : 3250 : 116 : 665 : 18 : 799 Rey (8 Sep 1847) Mex: ~6000 Mex:~1500 Mex: ~500 Mex: 685 Mex: 2685
Combat and Non-Combat Losses While battle deaths amounted to only 1.5% of the troops (a total of 1721), those from disease (mostly yellow fever and dysentery) and other non-combat causes were nearly 10% (a total of 11,155). Almost 8% deserted. Nothing illustrates better the difficulties in maintaining the health of the troops under the conditions of the campaign and the state of medical knowledge than these figures. The high incidence of desertion eloquently bespeaks the unwillingness of the Mexican War era soldier to serve his nation at personal discomfort. Regulars Volunteers Totals KIA 585 607 1192 Died of Wounds 425 104 529 Disease, executions, accidents, and misc. 4899 6256 11155 Wounded in Action 2745 1357 4102 Discharged for disability 2554 7200 9754 Deserters 5331 3876 9207 Battle Losses Engaged KIA WIA MIA Total Losses Palo Alto & Resaca de la (8 & 9 May 1846) : 2288 Mex: 3709 : 38 Mex: 256 : 137 Mex: 334 : 2 Mex: 182 : 177 Mex: 772 (20-24 Sep 1846) : 6220 Mex: 7303 : 120 Mex: ~ 140 : 369 Mex: ~227 : 43 Mex: 0 : 532 Mex: 367 (22 & 23 Feb 1847) : 4594 Mex: 14000 : 272 Mex: 591 : 387 Mex: 1048 : 6 Mex: 1894 : 665 Mex: 3533 Churubusco (20 Aug 1847) : 8497 Mex: ~10000 : 133 Mex: ~694 : 865 Mex: ~1000 : 0 Mex: 1639 (POW’s) : 998 Mex: ~3000 Molino del Rey (8 Sep 1847) : 3250 Mex: ~6000 : 116 Mex:~1500 : 665 Mex: ~500 : 18 Mex: 685 : 799 Mex: 2685
mexican-american-analysis.docx