WORTH, WILLIAM JENKINS

1794–1849, American army officer, b. Hudson, N.Y. He served with distinction on the Niagara frontier in the War of 1812 and later became commandant of cadets and instructor of infantry tactics at West Point (1820–28), even though he was not a West Point graduate. Promoted to colonel in 1838, he was brevetted brigadier general for his service against the Seminole. In the Mexican War, Worth first fought under Gen. Zachary Taylor in the northern campaign that ended with the capture of Monterrey. Later under Gen. Winfield Scott he further distinguished himself in the victorious advance from Veracruz to Mexico City. He was the first to enter Mexico City, receiving the surrender of the capital. In 1848 he was given command of the Dept. of Texas, but his career was cut short by cholera. Although he was an excellent commander in battle, Worth injured his reputation by his ungrateful and insubordinate conduct toward Scott, who had been his benefactor. Fort Worth, Tex., was named for him.

See biography by E. S. Wallace (1953).

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