Editing James Longstreet (section)

==Mexican–American War==
Longstreet served with distinction in the [[Mexican–American War]] with the 8th U.S. Infantry. He fought under Zachary Taylor as a lieutenant in May 1846 in the battles of [[Battle of Palo Alto|Palo Alto]] and [[Battle of Resaca de la Palma|Resaca de la Palma]].{{sfn|Wert|1993|pp=37–38}} He recounted both of these battles in his memoirs but wrote nothing about his personal role in them.{{sfn|Wert|1993|p=38}} On June 10, Longstreet was given command of Company A of the Eighth Infantry of [[William J. Worth]]'s Second Division. He fought again with Taylor's army at the [[Battle of Monterrey]] in September 1846, during which about 200 Mexican [[lancer]]s drove back a group of American troops. Longstreet, commanding companies A and B, led a counterattack, killing or wounding almost half of the lancers.{{sfn|Wert|1993|pp=40–41}}

On February 23, 1847, he was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant. General-in-Chief [[Winfield Scott]] ordered Worth's division out of Taylor's army and under his direct command to participate in an assault on the Mexican capital of [[Mexico City]]. Worth's division was sent first to Lobos Island, then sailed 180 miles (289.7&nbsp;km) south to [[Veracruz (city)|Veracruz]]. Worth led Scott's army in its amphibious approach on the city, arriving there on March 9. Scott [[Siege of Veracruz|besieged]] the city and subjected it to regular bombardments. It surrendered on March 29. The American army then marched north towards the capital.{{sfn|Wert|1993|p=42}} In August, Longstreet served in the [[Battle of Churubusco]], a pivotal battle as the U.S. Army moved closer to capturing Mexico City. The Eighth Infantry was the only force in Worth's division to reach the Mexican earthworks. Longstreet carried the regimental banner under heavy Mexican fire. The troops found themselves stuck in a ditch and could only scale the Mexican defenses by standing on each other. In the fierce hand-to-hand combat that ensued, the Americans prevailed. Longstreet received a brevet promotion to captain for his actions.{{sfn|Mendoza|2008|pp=3–4}}

He received a brevet promotion to major for [[Battle of Molino del Rey|Molino del Rey]]. In the [[Battle of Chapultepec]] on September 12, he was wounded in the thigh while charging up the hill with his regimental colors; falling, he handed the flag to his friend Lt. Pickett, who was able to reach the summit. The capture of the Chapultepec fortress led to the fall of Mexico City.{{sfn|Eicher|Eicher|2001|p=353}}{{sfn|Wert|1993|pp=35–45}} Longstreet recovered in the home of the Escandón family, which treated wounded American soldiers. His wound was slow to heal and he did not leave until December. After a brief visit with his family, Longstreet went to Missouri to see Louise.{{sfn|Mendoza|2008|pp=4–5}}