When James K. Polk became president, he took up the banner for annexing Independent Texas as a slave state and sent a somewhat reluctant Zachary Taylor to the Rio Grande, which the Texans claimed as their natural border with Mexico. With Taylor were men who would someday be more famous than he, including Ulysses S. Grant and George Gordon Meade. Together, 'Zach Taylor's Little Army' beat Santa Anna's much larger force to win the day and secure Texas for the United States. This work looks at Taylor's leadership in the Mexican War.

Instrument of policy -- A foreign city -- Professionals only -- Citizen soldiers -- Victory minus -- The other enemies -- Enchanted Valley -- Man on horseback?.