A Thunder of Cannon: Archeology of the Mexican-American War Battlefield of Palo Alto

Palo Alto battlefield is the site of the first major engagement between the forces of Mexico and United States during the Mexican-American War. The May 8, 1 846 battle was the first between the United States and a foreign power since the War of 1812. ln addition, it was the first major test of graduates of the United States Military Academy against a foreign army. Of all Mexican-American War battlefields on United States soil (Texas, California, and Mexico), Palo Alto is the only one that has retained its general physical and visual integrity. Because of its historical significance, Palo Alto Battlefield NHS was established June 23, 1992, when the Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site Act (P.L. 102-304) established a 3,400-acre national historic site.

As part of the planning process for the new park, the National Park Service authorized an archeological sample survey of the battlefield as a follow-up to a 1979 preliminary archeological investigation of Palo Alto. The resultant 1992 and 1993 archeological surveys, conjoined with documentary research, have contributed information needed for the general management plan of the park. ln addition, the synthesis of archeological and documentary materials derived from this investigation has produced interesting, sometimes even surprising, insights into the actual conduct of this battle. Recommendations for future work within the park are also presented.

帕洛阿尔托战场是美墨战争期间墨西哥与美国军队首次重大交锋的发生地。1846年5月8日的这场战役，是美国自1812年战争以来首次与外国势力展开的交战。此外，它也是美国陆军军官学校（United States Military Academy）毕业生首次在对外作战中对阵外国军队的重要考验。在美国本土（得克萨斯州、加利福尼亚州）及墨西哥境内的所有美墨战争战场遗址中，帕洛阿尔托战场是唯一一处大体保留了原有地貌与视觉原貌的遗存。鉴于其极高的历史价值，1992年6月23日，随着《帕洛阿尔托战场国家历史遗址法案》（公法102-304，P.L. 102-304）的通过，帕洛阿尔托战场国家历史遗址（Palo Alto Battlefield NHS）正式设立，占地3400英亩。

作为这座新公园规划流程的一部分，美国国家公园管理局批准对该战场开展考古抽样调查，作为1979年帕洛阿尔托初步考古调查的后续工作。1992年与1993年开展的考古调查成果，结合文献研究，为该公园的总体管理规划提供了必要的信息支撑。此外，本次调查所整合的考古与文献资料，还为这场战役的实际进程提供了新颖甚至有时出人意料的见解。报告同时就公园内未来的研究工作提出了相关建议。