Monthly Articles

---

   Battle of Campeche and the Latest Boarder Crisis

The standoff between Texas and the Biden administration has accelerated in Eagle Pass, where migrants crossed into the U.S. illegally by the thousands. Customs and Border Protection recorded over 300,000 illegal crossing encounters along the Southwest border in December alone. This number is added to the 8 million which have crossed since Biden took office, including over 1.8 million “got-aways”, and over 300 apprehended on the terrorist watch list. Governor Greg Abbott has installed fences, barriers and razor wire along the Rio Grande, which serves as the border with Mexico, to deter illegal entry. As we look at the spectacle unfolding at the southern border and the undeniable consequences of human suffering and economic mismanagement of an unsecure border, on the United States and its citizens it reminds me of another time in history when Texas was fighting for security and sovereignty. 

Historically, Texas’ annexation into the U.S. was directly the result of another border conflict. Sam Houston, the first president, after independence from Mexico, was fearful that the new Republic of Texas would be vulnerable to an expansive Mexican government to the south and Comanche Indians to the west and wanted quickly to join the United States to help reduce those concerns. Texas joined the union with the promise that the U.S would establish permanent military garrisons along the western frontier and the southern border to protect against the escalating Mexican attacks into Texas. Two of these Mexican attacks came in 1843 which had driven as far north as to capture San Antonio. But, before annexation, Texas was forced to defend itself and come to the aid of a little know rebellious state in the Mexican Yucatan seeking independence from Santa Ana and Mexico.

There was a growing sense that the Republic of Texas was vulnerable, with government officials and diplomates from the United States, Britain, and the Republic of Texas estimating that the Mexican army was planning a major invasion to recapture Texas in 1843. The common planning assumptions were that Mexico would leverage its newly modernized and expanded navy to mount an amphibious landing in Galveston to avoid the disasters of a long overland march that had befall previous attempts. It was in these conditions and apprehensions, the crisis escalated to the Battle of Campeche.

Battle of Campeche

May 2024 will be the 181st anniversary of the Battle of Campeche, which had significant consequences for the Republic of Texas and the United States of America far beyond the forgotten battle. Briefly, “The naval battle of Campeche, (30 April-16 May) one of the most significant events in the struggle of the Republic of Texas to assert its independence from Mexico, was arguably the only battle ever won by sailing ships against ironclad steamships. It was also the last battle fought between ships crewed by British and U.S. sailors on opposing sides. 

After the Battle of San Jacinto, Texas became a self-governing republic, but it still feared the Mexican government’s intentions. Farther south, Yucatán was also fighting for independence from Mexican rule. Mexico mounted a blockade of the Yucatán coast, using two British-manufactured, British-crewed steamships: the large, iron-hulled, paddle-wheel frigate, Guadalupe, and the wooden-hulled, ironclad Montezuma. The small Texan navy was in poor shape, its crews mutinous for lack of pay. The head of the navy, Commodore Edwin Ward Moore, accepted payment from the Yucatán rebels to aid them against the Mexicans. Moore commanded two wooden sailing ships: the sloop-of-war Austin and the brig Wharton. Aided by small vessels of the Yucatán navy, Moore broke through to the port of Campeche, surviving a two-hour running fight on 30 April. There he was trapped, with Guadalupe and Montezuma waiting for him to emerge. Undaunted, Moore spent a fortnight fitting his ships with longer range guns, which would give him a better chance against the steamships when he attempted a breakout. The Texans sailed out to take on the steamships on 16 May. In the exchange of fire, Austin suffered a good deal of structural damage, but the sailing ships’ broadsides took a heavier toll on the ironclads’ Mexican and British crews. Although the battle was largely a draw, the Texans returned to a heroes’ welcome in Galveston, pre-empting Texan president Sam Houston’s intention of arresting them for selling their services to another country”.[i] 

While the figures are not exact, reports conclude the Republic of Texas navy suffered between five and seven killed, while the Mexican navy losses approach 100 killed during the battle. Neither side lost any ships. For its part, the Mexican government even coined a medal of bravery for their sailors. It was a humbling experience for the Mexican navy given the substantial investment in new ships and modernization. Mexican Commodore Francisco de Paula Lopez, was recalled to Mexico City for his failure to defeat a smaller and out-gunned force, and was court-martialed. The Texas Congress ordered the sale of the Texas fleet. On June 1, 1843, Moore and the fleet had received Houston's proclamation accusing them of disobedience and piracy and suspending Moore from the Texas navy. Houston even went so far as to ask for any friendly nation to capture and execute the Texas fleet. Moore returned to Galveston on July 14, and turned himself in at the port of Menard's Wharf, a hero to the people of Texas. Moore demanded a court-martial where he was acquitted of all but an administrative charge. After the annexation of Texas into the Union, the U.S. Congress awarded five years of back pay to Commodore Moore. One of Texas’ counties is named after Moore. While President Houston and Commodore Moore both wanted what they thought best for the Republic, clearly there was a unique set of circumstances, at a particular time, and a particular place which required determined and specific action, a level of heroism and selflessness equal to the challenge. 

The impact of the decision made during the lead up of the battle and the effects of those decisions are no less consequential than current American leadership around the border crisis today. As a result of Commodore Moore’s decision to engage the Mexican Navy at Campeche the following cascading events unfolded:

• The people of the Yucatan , as a result of both the strong showing from the Battle of Campeche and the land battles, were permitted to maintain autonomy from Santa Ana’s central government.

• The unexpected success of the Texas navy permitted the time and space for the United States and the Republic of Texas to come to terms, without a near-term threat from Mexico, around the annexation of Texas which occurred two years later in 1845.

• The annexation of Texas ultimately lead to the Mexican-American War in 1846, after Mexico attacked again in Palo Alto, Texas west of the Nueces River, resulting in the overwhelming defeat of Mexican forces and the capture of Mexico City, adding 55% to the land mass of America with today’s Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, southern Colorado and California.

Leadership

At some point, the ability to act decisively with the most accurate information from those closest to the challenge, with the most to sacrifice, must take the action of responsibility. I have personally witnessed this responsibility at a very tactical level in my own experience in conflict. Upon becoming President of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston suspended the treaty with the Yucatán and ordered the fleet to return to Texas. Houston was not a big supporter of the Texas Navy. When funds for naval repairs, approved by the Texas Congress, were withheld by Houston, Moore reinstated the treaty with the Yucatán in defiance of Houston's orders. Moore and two other Texas ships, along with a few from the Yucatán navy, engaged the Mexican fleet.  Moore’s actions and that of the officers and crew of the little fleet forever changed the course of history setting in motion a series of events that would reinforce the ideas of self-determination and introduce other ideas of territorial expansion, and manifest destiny. But the simplicity of establishing dominion eludes the Biden administration, not because of incompetence, as most would assume, no, the Biden border policy is more malevolent.

In a letter published this week in the New York Post, by 10 FBI senior executives, “The Biden administration’s border policy pose an ”imminent danger’” to the US, which has been “invaded” by “military-aged men from around the globe,” the group of former FBI officials warned. “In its modern history, the US has never suffered an invasion of the homeland, and yet one is unfolding now,” according to the officials, which included former Terrorist Screening Center Director Timothy Healy, FBI assistant directors Kevin Brock and Chris Swecker, and Mark Morgan, the former acting commissioner US Customs and Border Protection who also was an ex-FBI superintendent. “Military-aged men from across the globe, many from countries or regions not friendly to the United States, are landing in waves on our soil by the thousands — not by splashing ashore from a ship or parachuting from a plane but rather by foot across a border that has been accurately advertised around the world as largely unprotected and with ready access granted,” the letter continued. “This letter from senior federal law enforcement officers is crystal clear that under Joe Biden’s failed leadership the United States is facing a dangerous invasion threatening our national security and our sovereignty,” said upstate Rep. Elise Stefanik. California Rep. Darrell Issa said Biden is making a “mockery” of the country’s immigration and asylum laws, allowing millions of migrants to enter and stay in the country and facilitate the smuggling of fentanyl that “kills 100,000 Americans every year.” “Joe Biden’s open borders are a signature betrayal of our nation,” he said. And all the more stunning in light of terrorist attacks on our own soil, said New York Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “It’s shocking that in a post 9/11 world that the Biden administration would have an open border policy with such lax vetting,” she said. “They are even allowing people with no real identification to board airplanes, which is directly against the 9/11 Commission recommendations.”[ii]

The impact of the decisions from President Biden, Governor Abbott, the Supreme Court and Congress may have unforeseen consequences felt for generations years from now. Principled leadership is so important given that the results are so impactful. The decisions to act must be made from a place supported by core values for the right reasons at the right time. At some point in the future the decisions will be judged and more importantly citizens will be forced to endure the consequences. 

Further reading

Bauer, K. Jack, (1969). Surfboats and Horse Marines: U.S. Naval Operations in the Mexican War, 1846-1848,

United States Naval Institute. pp. 291, Url

Brockmann, R. John, (2009). Commodore Robert F. Stockton, 1795-1866: Protean Man for a Protean Nation, the only scholarly biography

Cambria Press, Amherst, Massachusetts, pp. 622, ISBN 978-1-60497-630-4, Url

Douglas, Claude Leroy, (1936). Thunder on the gulf: or, The story of the Texas navy, Publisher, pp. 128, Url 

Dienst, Alex (2007). The Texas Navy

Fireship Press, [note 1] pp. 208, ISBN 1934757047, Url

Fischer, Earnest G (1900). Robert Potter: Founder of the Texas Navy,

Pelican Publishing Company Incorporated, pp. 320, ISBN 0882890808, Url

Garrison, George P., Editor, (1910). The Quarterly of the Texas State Historical Association, Volume 13,

Texas State Historical Association, pp. 344, Url

Hill, Jim Dan (1987). The Texas Navy: in forgotten battles and shirtsleeve diplomacy, 

State House Press, pp. 224, ISBN 0938349171, Url

Meed, Douglas (2001). The Fighting Texas Navy, 1832-1843

Republic of Texas Press, Plano, TX, ISBN 978-1-55622-885-8, Url

Sullivan, Roy F. (2010). The Texas Navies,

Author House, Bloomington, IN, pp. 176, ISBN 1449052584, Url

United States (Government), Naval History Division, (1968), The Texas Navy, Volume 2; Volume 31,

U.S. Government Printing Office, pp. 40, Url

The History Guy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_6TMcTq5oA

"The Battle of Campeche" with Author Jonathan W. Jordan, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FcejNYb-O4&t=172s

Naval Battle of Campeche, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siES60YQmc4&t=19s"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siES60YQmc4&t=19s

[i]Grant, R.G., “The Battle of Campeche”, https://www.britannica.com/event/Naval-Battle-of-Campeche, Britannica

[ii] Isabel Vincent and Social Links forJon Levine, “Biden admin border policy puts US in ‘imminent danger’ with ‘military-aged’ migrant invasion: former FBI officials”, New York Post, https://nypost.com/2024/01/27/news/biden-admin-border-policy-puts-us-in-imminent-danger-with-military-aged-migrant-invasion-former-fbi-officials/,

Jan. 27, 2024