A Correct Map of the Seat of War in Mexico Being a Copy of Genl Arista’s Map, taken at Resaca de la Palma, with additions and Corrections

This map is a first edition drafted in 1847 by prolific cartographer John Disturnell and is arguably the most important map of the Mexican War.

J. Disturnell, A Correct Map of the Seat of War in Mexico…, New York, NY, 1847. Map #93962. Map Collection, Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin, TX.

In May of 1846, American General Zachary Taylor engaged with Mexican forces under the command of General Mariano Arista near present-day Brownsville, Texas. Taylor’s men prevailed and Arista’s forces retreated south of the Rio Grande.

Brownsville, on the north bank of the Rio Grande across from Matamoros, was the site of a battle between Mexican and American forces where the original copy of General Arista’s map was found.

Found amongst the items left by the retreating Mexican troops was a manuscript map that belonged to General Arista showing towns, roads and topography in Mexico from the Rio Grande south to Mexico City and La Puebla.

The captured map greatly aided Taylor’s army as it moved south, assisted by the scouting expeditions of the Texas Rangers.

Insets of areas surrounding the ports of Tampico and Vera Cruz were provided important information to American military commanders and Texas Ranger scouts.

For Americans hungry for information on the war, Disturnell later used General Arista’s map as the foundation of this lithograph and added many embellishments such as narratives of the battle and the subsequent capture of Monterey in September, 1846.

Disturnell added an image of a triumphant American cavalryman, sword in mid-swing, galloping past fallen Mexican soldiers, toward oncoming bayonets.

Also added were insets of important Mexican cities, and patriotic vignettes featuring a charging U.S. dragoon soldier galloping over fallen Mexican troops, and a menacing eagle spreading its wings over a table of distances between Mexican cities.

In another of Disturnell’s embellishments, an eagle perched on an American shield looms over a table of distances between Mexican cities.

A reproduction of this map can be purchased on the GLO website.