USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Kearny, per orders from President Polk, set out to “conquer and take possession of California” on September 25, 1846, with a force of 300 men.

Detailed explanation-2: -Lacking seasoned troops, he used diplomacy rather than arms to defeat the 3, 000 Mexicans lying in wait en route to Santa Fe. Persuading them to withdraw, he marched unopposed into Santa Fe on Aug. 18, 1846.

Detailed explanation-3: -In 1819 Kearny was a member of the Yellowstone Expedition. He was subsequently posted on the frontier, during which time he advanced to the rank of colonel. The start of the U.S.-Mexico War found Kearny at Fort Leavenworth, where in May 1846 he gathered troops charged with conquering New Mexico and California.

Detailed explanation-4: -Annotation: American strategy was based on a three-pronged attack. Colonel Stephen Kearny (1794-1848) had the task of securing New Mexico, while naval forces under Commodore John D. Sloat (1781-1867) blockaded California and General Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) invaded Tamaulipas, in present-day northern Mexico.

Detailed explanation-5: -Two days later, while Secretary of War William L. Marcy was drafting orders for Kearny, a colonel at the time, to take command of volunteers and secure New Mexico and California, President Polk signed the declaration of war against Mexico. he sent Kearny.