Photo courtesy Steven Butler. Used with permission.

In July 1845, following acceptance by the Republic of Texas of terms of annexation offered by the United States, U.S. troops under the command of General Zachary Taylor were stationed at Corpus Christi, near the mouth of the Nueces River, to counter a threatened attack by Mexico. The site of the encampment of the "Army of Occupation" covered most of what is now downtown Corpus Christi and the North Beach area. It was named Camp Marcy in honor of Secretary of War William F. Marcy.

A pink granite marker in Artesian Park was erected several years ago by the Daughters of the American Revolution. It commemorates the presence of the "Army of Occupation" in Corpus Christi. On one side an inscription reads: "General Zachary Taylor's Army Encamped Here in 1845-1846." The opposite side of the marker bears the inscription: "'Old Rough and Ready' - President 1848-1850." A Texas State Historical Commission marker, erected in 1976, also stands in the park, which is located at 800 Chaparral Street in downtown Corpus Christi.

On September 12, 1846 the steamboat "Dayton" was crossing Corpus Christi Bay when its boilers exploded, killing and injuring several soldiers. All were members of Zachary Taylor's "Army of Occupation." A day or two later, the dead were buried on a bluff overlooking Corpus Christi Bay. The site, now called Old Bayview Cemetery, was chosen by Lt. Col. Ethan Allen Hitchcock. The entrance to the cemetery, a few blocks north of downtown Corpus Christi, is at the corner of Padre and Ramierez streets. A Texas Historical Commission marker is located just inside the front gate. A few other soldiers, who died during the winter of 1845-46, are also buried here.

Photo courtesy Steven Butler. Used with permission.

Photo courtesy Steven Butler.
Used with permission.