Book Review The Southern Press - 1515 Words

In a letter to â€Å"The Southern Press,† dated July 20, 1850, G.K. Lewis shared his knowledge and frustrations regarding the many invasions by the Indians. What could be worse than knocking someone down when they are merely trying to pick up the pieces after being defeated? These vicious attacks by the Indians did not only take place in the United States, they took place in Mexico as well. Unknown to most readers, Indians are not as innocent as one is accustomed to believing. In actuality, some Indians were persistent as they inflicted numerous depredations less than 20 miles from Fort Brown, one of the largest military posts in Texas. During this time, it was just a blatant disregard for law and order. The manner in which these vicious†¦show more content†¦In continuing on the same path of Indian attacks, fast-forward to the Mexican-American War. As a result of Mexico’s defeat by the United States, Mexican troops were unable to enforce counterattacks o n the Indians once the Indians retreated back across the U.S. Mexican Border. The Mexican-American War (1846-1848) was the first U.S. armed conflict fought on foreign soil. It positioned a politically divided and militarily unprepared Mexico against the expansionist-minded administration of U.S. President James K. Polk, who believed the United States had a â€Å"manifest destiny† to spread across the continent to the Pacific Ocean. A border skirmish along the Rio Grande started off the fighting and was followed by a series of U.S. victories. When the dust cleared, Mexico had lost about one-third of its territory, including nearly all of present-day California, Utah, Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. In exchange for surrendering and his release to the United States, the Mexican General Santa Anna agreed to have the boundary line set at the Rio Grande between Texas and Mexico. Of course, it did not pan out as expected. The plan presented was for the boundary to run northward. This would include New Mexico as well as some land in west Texas. Instead, th e Mexican government drew the border at the Nueces River.