The Battle of Resaca de la Palma

Duane's take

Now, I'm telling you this one straight from the official record, the way the marker has kept it since 1936. Pull over if you have to, because this ground you're passing through has a story soaked right into it. The Battle of Resaca de la Palma was fought here, May 9, 1846.

Right here. Not somewhere down the road, not somewhere you'll read about in a history book a few counties away. Here.

The Mexican Army under General Mariano Arista met the United States troops under General Zachary Taylor, and when the smoke cleared, it was Arista's forces that had been defeated. Now think about what was at stake. This wasn't just a skirmish over pride or position.

The defeat of the Mexican Army that day, on this very ground, made good the claim of Texas to the territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande. That's the language the marker uses, and it carries weight. Made good the claim.

Meaning the argument had been out there, hanging in the air, and on May 9, 1846, it got answered in the most definitive way an argument can get answered. The State of Texas erected that marker and put those words on it, and the land has been holding them ever since. Next time you cross between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, you'll know, this is the territory that was decided right here.

What the marker says

Was fought here May 9, 1846 And the defeat of the Mexican Army under General Mariano Arista by the United States troops under General Zachary Taylor made good the claim of Texas to the territory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande Erected by the State of Texas