The Darkest Hours

The Mexican-American War (1846–1848) was accompanied by documented atrocities on both sides, though the asymmetry of power meant American forces bore greater responsibility for civilian harm. The war's origins — a disputed border and the annexation of Texas — were themselves contested, and critics including Congressman Abraham Lincoln and General Ulysses S. Grant later called it an unjust war of aggression. These events remain subjects of sharply different national memory in the United States and Mexico.

6,050+documented civilian and prisoner deaths in this section

Locations

Documented Events

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Bombardment of Veracruz

March 9–29, 1847·Civilian Targeting

1,000+

deaths

Victims: Mexican civilians and soldiers in Veracruz(Approximately 1,000 civilians killed; military casualties additional. Exact figures uncertain due to limited Mexican records)

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Execution of the San Patricio Battalion

September 10–13, 1847·Prisoner Abuse

50+

deaths

Victims: Irish-American and other immigrant deserters serving in Mexican forces(50 men executed; 72 were condemned but some sentences were commuted)

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Guerrilla War — Mutual Atrocities

1846–1848·Civilian Targeting

5,000+

deaths

Victims: Mexican civilians and American soldiers(Estimated deaths from irregular warfare, reprisals, and atrocities by both sides throughout the conflict; does not include conventional battle casualties)

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These events are documented here because history demands honesty. Understanding what humans are capable of — and the conditions that enable atrocity — is essential to preventing its recurrence. The figures cited represent scholarly estimates; the true scale in most cases is larger than records show.