Wall of Flames Wayside

The “Wall of Flames” wayside provides an overview of grassfire that impacted the battle.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Brownsville, TX

Quote Text

A wad from one of Duncan’s guns falling into a bunch of dry grass fired the prairie on our left. An attempt was made to extinguish it, but a fair breeze was blowing at the time and the red flower began to dance and pitch into the air high above our heads…the two armies were completely shut out from each other’s sight and fairly separated by a barrier alike impassable to either. The firing on both sides ceased entirely….we remained inactive another hour and a half, during which General Taylor rode along the line catting with the officers and those of adjoining Regiments visited each other. ~ George McCall, captain

Main Text

Mexican soldiers thought the great fire that erupted on the rain-soaked prairie was intended to hide enemy troop movements. But U.S. soldiers were also surprised by this peculiar intermission in the midst of deadly combat.

Image descriptions 

Center 
Mostly black-and-white lithograph depicting a fire separating the U.S. and Mexican armies during the battle.

Background
Lines and columns of soldiers on the battlefield.