# 185 - 1879 5c Zachary Taylor, blue
1879 5¢ Taylor
American Bank Note Printing
Earliest Known Use: January 15, 1879
Quantity issued: 42,000,000 (estimate)
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 12
Color: Blue
Siege Of Veracruz
The battle was part of the Mexican-American War, which began in May 1846. The war largely stemmed from the US annexation of Texas and the Texan border. Major General Zachary Taylor led US forces in a string of victories at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey.
Polk considered placing Taylor in charge of the siege, but Taylor had spoken out against him in the past. Instead, he chose Major General Winfield Scott. The majority of Taylor’s troops would leave to join the siege at Veracruz. Meanwhile, Taylor and a small army remained behind and defeated a much larger Mexican force at the Battle of Buena Vista.
Veracruz was considered the most heavily fortified city in the Western Hemisphere – surrounded by walls, guarded by three forts and 128 guns. To avoid these guns, Scott chose to land his forces to the southeast at Mocambo Bay’s Collado Beach. About 1:00 pm on March 9, 1847, American troops in specially designed surfboats made their way to the shore. Only a small number of Mexican defenders were present and they were quickly chased off. The first group of 5,500 men stepped ashore with no opposition, so Scott called in the rest of his force and they began moving toward the city.
The bombing continued for several days, during which time the Mexican commanders twice asked for a ceasefire. Scott believed it was a delaying tactic and refused the first request. Then on March 26, he agreed to surrender negotiations. In addition to capturing the city, Scott had done so with few American casualties – 13 killed and 54 wounded. With Veracruz secure, Scott went on to capture Mexico City.
1879 5¢ Taylor
American Bank Note Printing
Earliest Known Use: January 15, 1879
Quantity issued: 42,000,000 (estimate)
Printed by: American Bank Note Company
Method: Flat plate
Watermark: None
Perforation: 12
Color: Blue
Siege Of Veracruz
The battle was part of the Mexican-American War, which began in May 1846. The war largely stemmed from the US annexation of Texas and the Texan border. Major General Zachary Taylor led US forces in a string of victories at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterrey.
Polk considered placing Taylor in charge of the siege, but Taylor had spoken out against him in the past. Instead, he chose Major General Winfield Scott. The majority of Taylor’s troops would leave to join the siege at Veracruz. Meanwhile, Taylor and a small army remained behind and defeated a much larger Mexican force at the Battle of Buena Vista.
Veracruz was considered the most heavily fortified city in the Western Hemisphere – surrounded by walls, guarded by three forts and 128 guns. To avoid these guns, Scott chose to land his forces to the southeast at Mocambo Bay’s Collado Beach. About 1:00 pm on March 9, 1847, American troops in specially designed surfboats made their way to the shore. Only a small number of Mexican defenders were present and they were quickly chased off. The first group of 5,500 men stepped ashore with no opposition, so Scott called in the rest of his force and they began moving toward the city.
The bombing continued for several days, during which time the Mexican commanders twice asked for a ceasefire. Scott believed it was a delaying tactic and refused the first request. Then on March 26, he agreed to surrender negotiations. In addition to capturing the city, Scott had done so with few American casualties – 13 killed and 54 wounded. With Veracruz secure, Scott went on to capture Mexico City.