Zachary Taylor’s influence was a ‘beam of light’

By Rene Torres

The Rio Grande Valley occupies a unique and highly important position in the annals of American progress and development.
When the dispute between the United States and Mexico became a noticeable conflict, it was in Point Isabel that Fort Pork was born.
Zachary Taylor made the seaport the base to supply his army, which eventually marched to Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.  It was here on May 8 and 9, 1846, that the war started and that the U.S. demonstrated the right to be classed among the world powers.
The War with Mexico marked the southern and western movement that helped this country acquire new lands.
By 1847, the U.S. took control of the war and by 1848, the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed.  The American flag was soon flying over California, New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona.
The battles in the Lower Rio Grande also defined the fate of Texas and forever established the boundary of the United States on the Rio Grande.

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