This is a list of members of the Aztec Club of 1847. The

Aztec Club of 1847 The Aztec Club of 1847 is a military society founded in 1847 by United States Army officers of the Mexican–American War. It exists as a hereditary organization including members who can trace a direct lineal connection to those originally eligib ...

was founded as a military society of officers who served with the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

in the

Mexican–American War The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the (''United States intervention in Mexico''), was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848. It followed the 1 ...

.''Aztec Club of 1847. Sesquicentenial History, 1847–1997''. Richard Hoag Breithaupt, Jr. 1998. pp. 950–956. The first rank indicated is the rank held at the forming of the club during the Mexican War; the later rank is the highest full rank the officer held in Regular,

Volunteer Volunteering is a voluntary act of an individual or group freely giving time and labor for community service. Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work, such as medicine, education, or emergency rescue. Others serve ...

Confederate Confederacy or confederate may refer to: States or communities * Confederate state or confederation, a union of sovereign groups or communities * Confederate States of America, a confederation of secessionist American states that existed between 1 ...

service.

Original members

There were a total of 160 original members of the Aztec Club, all of whom were serving in the occupation of Mexico City at the time of the Club's founding in 1847. Over time, the club's membership requirements were changed to extend membership to male descendants of officers who served in the Mexican War. Of the 160 original members, 72 became generals in either the United States Army or the Confederate States Army and a majority served in either the Union or Confederate armies during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. Among the Aztec Club's original members were future presidents

Franklin Pierce Franklin Pierce (November 23, 1804October 8, 1869) was the 14th president of the United States, serving from 1853 to 1857. He was a northern Democrat who believed that the abolitionist movement was a fundamental threat to the nation's unity ...

and

Ulysses S. Grant Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant ; April 27, 1822July 23, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. As Commanding General, he led the Union Ar ...

as well as

Robert E. Lee Robert Edward Lee (January 19, 1807 – October 12, 1870) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War, towards the end of which he was appointed the overall commander of the Confederate States Army. He led the Army of Nort ...

. * Maj. John J. Abercrombie – Brigadier General * Cpt. Thomas L. Alexander – Lt. Colonel * Cpt. Robert Allen – Brigadier General * 1st Lt. Samuel S. Anderson – Colonel, CSA * 1st Lt. Benjamin H. Arthur – Captain * Cpt. Electus Backus – Colonel * Maj. Henry Bainbridge – Lt. Colonel * Cpt.

John G. Barnard John Gross Barnard (May 19, 1815 – May 14, 1882) was a career engineer officer in the United States Army, U.S. Army, serving in the Mexican–American War, as the superintendent of the United States Military Academy and as a general in the Unio ...

– Brigadier General * Cpt. Moses J. Barnard – Major * 1st Lt. Jenks Beaman * 1st Lt.

P.G.T. Beauregard Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard (May 28, 1818 - February 20, 1893) was a Confederate general officer of Louisiana Creole descent who started the American Civil War by leading the attack on Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861. Today, he is commonly ...

– General, CSA * 2nd Lt. Barnard E. Bee – Brigadier General, CSA * Lt. Col. Francis S. Belton – Colonel * Cpt.

Charles John Biddle Charles John Biddle (April 30, 1819 – September 28, 1873) was an American soldier, lawyer, congressman, and newspaper editor. Biography Biddle was born and died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Nicholas Biddle, president of t ...

– Colonel * 1st Lt. William B. Blair – Major, CSA * Cpt.

George A.H. Blake George Alexander Hamilton Blake (August 31, 1810 – October 27, 1884) was a cavalry officer in the United States Army during the American Indian Wars, the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Early life and career George Blake wa ...

– Colonel * Cpt. James D. Blanding – Colonel, CSA * Cpt. William Blanding * Col.

Milledge L. Bonham Milledge Luke Bonham (December 25, 1813August 27, 1890) was an American politician and Congressman. He was later the 70th Governor of South Carolina from 1862 until 1864, and a Confederate General during the American Civil War. Early life and ...

– Brigadier General, CSA * 1st Lt. Andrew W. Bowman – Lt. Colonel * 1st Lt.

John M. Brannan John Milton Brannan (July 1, 1819 – December 16, 1892) was a career United States Army artillery officer who served in the Mexican–American War and as a Union brigadier general of volunteers in the American Civil War, in command of the Departm ...

– Brigadier General * Cpt. Horace Brooks – Brigadier General * 1st Lt. William T.H. Brooks – Major General * Cpt.

Robert C. Buchanan Robert Christie Buchanan (March 1, 1811 – November 29, 1878) was an American military officer who served in the Mexican–American War and then was a Colonel (United States), colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. In 1866, ...

– Colonel * Brig. Gen.

George Cadwalader George Cadwalader (May 16, 1806 – February 3, 1879) was a general in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War and American Civil War. Biography Cadwalader was born and raised in Philadelphia. He studied law and was admitted to th ...

– Major General * Cpt.

Albemarle Cady Albemarle Cady (February 15, 1807 – March 14, 1888) was a career United States Army officer who served in the Second Seminole War, Mexican–American War, Sioux Wars#First Sioux War, First Sioux War and the American Civil War. During the Civil ...

– Colonel * Maj. George Caldwell - Brevet Lieutenant Colonel * 1st Lt. Robert C. Caldwell, USMC * 1st Lt. George W. Carr – Colonel, CSA * 1st Lt. Daniel T. Chandler – Lt. Colonel, CSA * Maj.

Philip St. George Cooke Philip St. George Cooke (June 13, 1809 – March 20, 1895) was a career United States Army cavalry officer who served as a Union General in the American Civil War. He is noted for his authorship of an Army cavalry manual, and is sometimes called ...

– Brigadier General * 1st Lt. William H. French – Major General * Cpt.

Richard C. Gatlin Richard Caswell Gatlin (January 18, 1809 – September 8, 1896) was a Confederate general during the American Civil War. Early life Gatlin was born in Kinston, North Carolina, the son of John Gatlin and Susannah Caswell Gatlin. His mother was the ...

– Brigadier General, CSA * 2nd Lt.

Alfred Gibbs Alfred Gibbs (April 22, 1823 – December 26, 1868) was a career officer in the United States Army (Regular Army) who served as a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Career summary Gibbs graduated from the Unit ...

– Brigadier General * 1st Lt.

– General * 2nd Lt.

Schuyler Hamilton Schuyler Hamilton (July 22, 1822 – March 18, 1903) was an American soldier, farmer, engineer, and a grandson of Alexander Hamilton. Early life Hamilton was born on July 22, 1822 in New York City. He was the fifth of 14 children born to John Chur ...

– Brigadier General * Col.

William S. Harney William Selby Harney (August 22, 1800 – May 9, 1889) was a Tennessee-born cavalry officer in the US Army, who became known during the Indian Wars and the Mexican–American War for his brutality and ruthlessness. One of four general officers ...

– Brigadier General * Cpt.

Joseph Hooker Joseph Hooker (November 13, 1814 – October 31, 1879) was an American Civil War general for the Union, chiefly remembered for his decisive defeat by Confederate General Robert E. Lee at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. Hooker had serv ...

– Major General * Cpt.

Joseph E. Johnston Joseph Eggleston Johnston (February 3, 1807 – March 21, 1891) was an American career army officer, serving with distinction in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848) and the Seminole Wars. After Virginia seceded ...

– General, CSA * Cpt.

Philip Kearny Philip Kearny Jr. (; June 1, 1815 – September 1, 1862) was a United States Army officer, notable for his leadership in the Mexican–American War and American Civil War. He was killed in action in the 1862 Battle of Chantilly. Early life and c ...

– Major General * Maj. Edmund Kirby - Brevet Colonel * Cpt.

– General, CSA * Cpt.

John B. Magruder John Bankhead Magruder (May 1, 1807 – February 18, 1871) was an American and Confederate military officer. A graduate of West Point, Magruder served with distinction during the Mexican–American War (1846–1848) and was a prominent Confede ...

– Major General, CSA * 2nd Lt.

George B. McClellan George Brinton McClellan (December 3, 1826 – October 29, 1885) was an American soldier, Civil War Union general, civil engineer, railroad executive, and politician who served as the 24th governor of New Jersey. A graduate of West Point, McCl ...

– Major General * Cpt.

Justus McKinstry Justus McKinstry (July 6, 1814 – December 11, 1897) was a United States Army officer who served in the Second Seminole War and with merit in the Mexican–American War and in the Third Seminole War. He was appointed a brigadier general and assis ...

– Brigadier General * Maj.

John Munroe John Munroe (1796 – 26 April 1861) was a United States soldier who was military governor of New Mexico between 1849 and 1851. Early career John Munroe was born in Scotland about 1796. He graduated from West Point in 1814, and was assigned to ...

– Lt. Colonel * 1st Lt.

John C. Pemberton John Clifford Pemberton (August 10, 1814 – July 13, 1881) was a career United States Army officer who fought in the Seminole Wars and with distinction during the Mexican–American War. He resigned his commission to serve as a Confederate Stat ...

– Lieutenant General, CSA * Brig. Gen.

- President of the United States * Maj. William H. Polk – U.S. Representative and brother of President

James K. Polk James Knox Polk (November 2, 1795 – June 15, 1849) was the 11th president of the United States, serving from 1845 to 1849. He previously was the 13th speaker of the House of Representatives (1835–1839) and ninth governor of Tennessee (183 ...

* 1st Lt.

Fitz John Porter Fitz John Porter (August 31, 1822 – May 21, 1901) (sometimes written FitzJohn Porter or Fitz-John Porter) was a career United States Army officer and a Union general during the American Civil War. He is most known for his performance at the Sec ...

– Major General * Maj. Gen.

John A. Quitman John Anthony Quitman (September 1, 1798 – July 17, 1858) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. As President of the Mississippi Senate, he served one month as Acting Governor of Mississippi (from December 3, 1835, to January 7, 1836) a ...

* 2nd Lt.

Jesse L. Reno Jesse Lee Reno (April 20, 1823 – September 14, 1862) was a career United States Army officer who served in the Mexican–American War, in the Utah War, on the western frontier and as a Union General during the American Civil War from West Virg ...

– Major General * Cpt. Charles F. Smith – Major General * Col.

Persifor F. Smith Persifor Frazer Smith (November 16, 1798May 17, 1858) was a United States Army officer during the Seminole Wars and Mexican–American War. As commander of U.S. forces in California, he was one of the last California interim government, 1846–18 ...

– Brigadier General * 2nd Lt.

Gustavus W. Smith Gustavus Woodson Smith (November 30, 1821 – June 24, 1896), more commonly known as G.W. Smith, was a career United States Army officer who fought in the Mexican–American War, a civil engineer, and a major general in the Confederate State ...

– Major General, CSA * 2nd Lt.

Charles Pomeroy Stone Charles Pomeroy Stone (September 30, 1824 – January 24, 1887) was a career United States Army officer, civil engineer, and surveyor. He fought with distinction in the Mexican–American War, earning two brevet promotions for his performan ...

– Brigadier General * 1st Lt.

George Sykes George Sykes (October 9, 1822 – February 8, 1880) was a career United States Army officer and a Union General during the American Civil War. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1842, and served in numerous conflicts, i ...

– Major General * 2nd Lt.

Zealous B. Tower Zealous Bates Tower (January 12, 1819 – March 20, 1900) was an American soldier and civil engineer who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was most noted for constructing the solid defenses of Federal-occupie ...

– Brigadier General * Brig. Gen.

David E. Twiggs David Emanuel Twiggs (February 14, 1790 – July 15, 1862), born in Georgia, was a career army officer, serving during the War of 1812, the Black Hawk War, and Mexican–American War. As commander of the U.S. Army's Department of Texas when the ...

– Major General, CSA * Col.

William J. Worth William Jenkins Worth (March 1, 1794 – May 7, 1849) was an American officer during the War of 1812, the Second Seminole War, and the Mexican–American War. Early military career Worth was commissioned as a first lieutenant in March 1813, ...

– Brevet Major General * Maj.

Abraham Van Buren Abraham Van Buren II (November 27, 1807 – March 15, 1873) was the eldest son of Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States and his wife, Hannah Hoes Van Buren. A career soldier and veteran of the Second Seminole War and Mexi ...

– Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and son of President

Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren ( ; nl, Maarten van Buren; ; December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the eighth president of the United States from 1837 to 1841. A primary founder of the Democratic Party (Uni ...

Veteran members

In 1871 Club members agreed to accept other officers who had served in Mexico during the Mexican War as Veteran Members; including officers of the

United States Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage ...

. Veteran Members were veterans of the Mexican War but were not among the 160 original members who formed the society in 1847.Breithaupt, pp. 759–854. As of 1895, 127 individuals had been admitted as Veteran Members – 49 of which were generals or admirals in United States or Confederate States service. * Cpt. Benjamin Alvord - Brigadier General * 1st Lt.

Christopher C. Augur Christopher Columbus Augur (July 10, 1821 – January 16, 1898) was an American military officer, most noted for his role in the American Civil War. Although less well known than other Union commanders, he was nonetheless considered an able battl ...

– Major General * Midn.

Oscar C. Badger Commodore Oscar Charles Badger (August 12, 1823 – June 20, 1899) was an officer of the United States Navy who served in the Mexican–American and American Civil Wars. Service in Africa and during the Mexican–American War Badger received a ...

– Commodore, USN * 2nd Lt.

Simon B. Buckner Simon Bolivar Buckner ( ; April 1, 1823 – January 8, 1914) was an American soldier, Confederate combatant, and politician. He fought in the United States Army in the Mexican–American War. He later fought in the Confederate States Army ...

– Lieutenant General, CSA * 2nd Lt. John L. Broome – Lt. Colonel, USMC * 2nd Lt. Henry B. Clitz – Lt. Colonel * Cpt.

Silas Casey Silas Casey (July 12, 1807 – January 22, 1882) was a career United States Army officer who rose to the rank of major general during the American Civil War. Early life and military career Casey was born in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He gradua ...

– Major General * 2nd Lt. Darius N. Couch – Major General * Lt. Col.

Thomas L. Crittenden Thomas Leonidas Crittenden (May 15, 1819 – October 23, 1893) was a lawyer, politician, and Union general during the American Civil War. Early life Crittenden was born in Russellville, Kentucky, the son of U.S. Senator John J. Crittenden, who ...

– Major General * 2nd Lt. Frederick T. Dent – Brigadier General * 2nd Lt.

Richard C. Drum Richard Coulter Drum (May 28, 1825 – October 15, 1909) was Adjutant General of the United States Army from 1880 to 1889. Early life He was born in Greensburg, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Jefferson College before entering the printing busi ...

– Brigadier General * 1st Lt.

William H. Emory William Hemsley Emory (September 7, 1811 – December 1, 1887) was a prominent American surveyor and civil engineer in the 19th century. As an officer in the U.S. Army Corps of Topographical Engineers he specialized in mapping the United States ...

– Major General * 2nd Lt.

William B. Franklin William Buel Franklin (February 27, 1823March 8, 1903) was a career United States Army officer and a Union Army general in the American Civil War. He rose to the rank of a corps commander in the Army of the Potomac, fighting in several notable bat ...

– Major General * 1st Lt.

Samuel G. French Samuel Gibbs French (November 22, 1818 – April 20, 1910) was an American military officer from New Jersey. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1843, served as a captain in the U.S. Army in the Mexican-American War, and wa ...

– Major General, CSA * 2nd Lt.

James Barnet Fry James Barnet Fry (February 22, 1827 – July 11, 1894) was an American soldier and prolific author of historical books. Family and Early career Fry, who was born in Carrollton, Illinois, was the first child of General Jacob G. Fry (September 2 ...

– Brigadier General * 2nd Lt.

George W. Getty George Washington Getty (October 2, 1819 – October 1, 1901) was a career military officer in the United States Army, most noted for his role as a division commander in the Army of the Potomac during the final full year of the American Civil War ...

– Brigadier General * Midn.

Bancroft Gherardi Bancroft Gherardi (November 10, 1832 – December 10, 1903) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Even though his family hailed from French Corsica, because of his ...

– Rear Admiral, USN * 2nd Lt.

Winfield Scott Hancock Winfield Scott Hancock (February 14, 1824 – February 9, 1886) was a United States Army officer and the Democratic nominee for President of the United States in 1880. He served with distinction in the Army for four decades, including service ...

– Major General * 2nd Lt.

Henry Heth Henry Heth ( not ) (December 16, 1825 – September 27, 1899) was a career United States Army officer who became a Confederate general in the American Civil War. He came to the notice of Robert E. Lee while serving briefly as his quartermast ...

– Major General, CSA * 1st Lt.

Henry J. Hunt Henry Jackson Hunt (September 14, 1819 – February 11, 1889) was Chief of Artillery in the Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Considered by his contemporaries the greatest artillery tactician and strategist of the war, he was ...

– Brigadier General * Lt.

Thornton A. Jenkins Thornton A. Jenkins (11 December 1811 – 9 August 1893) was an officer in the United States Navy, who served during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. He later served as chief of the Bureau of Navigation and as president of t ...

– Rear Admiral * Maj.

William W. Loring William Wing Loring (December 4, 1818 – December 30, 1886) was an American soldier who served in the armies of the United States, the Confederacy, and Egypt. Biography Early life William was born in Wilmington, North Carolina, to Reuben a ...

– Major General, CSA * 1st Lt.

James Longstreet James Longstreet (January 8, 1821January 2, 1904) was one of the foremost Confederate generals of the American Civil War and the principal subordinate to General Robert E. Lee, who called him his "Old War Horse". He served under Lee as a corps ...

– Lieutenant General, CSA * Midn.

Stephen Luce Stephen Bleecker Luce (March 25, 1827 – July 28, 1917) was a U.S. Navy admiral. He was the founder and first president of the Naval War College, between 1884 and 1886. Biography Born in Albany, New York, to Dr. Vinal Luce and Charlotte Bleecke ...

- Rear Admiral, USN * 2nd Lt.

Charles G. McCawley Charles Grymes McCawley (January 29, 1827 – October 13, 1891) was the eighth commandant of the Marine Corps and served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps during the Mexican–American War and the American Civil War. Biography Bo ...

– Colonel, USMC * 2nd Lt.

Joseph H. Potter Joseph Haydn Potter (October 12, 1822 – December 1, 1892) was a career soldier from the state of New Hampshire who served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was twice a prisoner of war and was cited for gallantry on ...

– Brigadier General * Cpt. Henry Prince – Brigadier General * Midn. Alexander C. Rhind – Rear Admiral * 2nd Lt. Gustavus De Russy – Brigadier General * 1st Lt.

William T. Sherman William is a male given name of Germanic origin.Hanks, Hardcastle and Hodges, ''Oxford Dictionary of First Names'', Oxford University Press, 2nd edition, , p. 276. It became very popular in the English language after the Norman conquest of Engl ...

– General * 2nd Lt.

Egbert L. Viele Egbert Ludovicus Viele () (June 17, 1825 – April 22, 1902) was a civil engineer and United States Representative from New York from 1885 to 1887, as well as an officer in the Union army during the American Civil War. Biography Viele was born ...

– Brigadier General * 2nd Lt.

Thomas J. Wood Thomas John Wood (September 25, 1823 – February 26, 1906) was a career United States Army officer. He served in the Mexican–American War and as a Union (American Civil War), Union General officer, general during the American Civil War. Duri ...

– Major General

Honorary members

Only two individuals were chosen as an honorary members of the Aztec Club. * Chaplain John D. McCarty * Maj. Gen.

Winfield Scott Winfield Scott (June 13, 1786May 29, 1866) was an American military commander and political candidate. He served as a general in the United States Army from 1814 to 1861, taking part in the War of 1812, the Mexican–American War, the early s ...

– Bvt. Lieutenant General

Hereditary members

In 1883 provisions were also made to allow male relatives of officers who had died during the Mexican War, prior to the Club's founding, to become members. In 1887, membership was extended to the eldest son or nearest male relative of original and veteran members as hereditary members in order to keep the club alive after the deaths of the veterans. Later, this rule was extended to include direct and collateral male descendants of eligible officers. * Brig. Gen.

Joshua H. Bates Joshua Hall Bates (March 5, 1817 – July 26, 1908) was a lawyer, politician, and Ohio militia general in service to the Union during the early part of the American Civil War. He was a leading recruiter and organizer of many of the first regi ...

* Henry L. P. Beckwith * Maj. Charles J. Biddle * R. Adm. Norman J. Blackwood * Justice

Milledge Lipscomb Bonham Milledge Lipscomb Bonham was a chief justice on the South Carolina Supreme Court. On October 16, 1854, he was born to Milledge Luke Bonham and Ann Patience Griffin. From 1863 to 1864, Bonham was educated at Sachlaben's Academy, Edgefield Academy ...

* Lt. Gen.

James Carson Breckinridge James Carson Breckinridge (September 13, 1877 – March 2, 1942) was a lieutenant general of the United States Marine Corps. He was the son of Clifton Rhodes Breckinridge and grandson of Vice President and Confederate Major General John C. Breck ...

(USMC) * R. Adm. Silas Casey, III * 2nd Lt. Loyall Farragut - Son of Admiral

David Farragut David Glasgow Farragut (; also spelled Glascoe; July 5, 1801 – August 14, 1870) was a flag officer of the United States Navy during the American Civil War. He was the first rear admiral, vice admiral, and admiral in the United States Navy. Fa ...

* Alfred W. Gibbs * Maj. Gen.

Frederick D. Grant Frederick Dent Grant (May 30, 1850 – April 12, 1912) was a soldier and United States minister to Austria-Hungary. Grant was the first son of General and President of the United States Ulysses S. Grant and Julia Grant. He was named after his ...

- son of General

* Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, III - grandson of General

* Maj. Gen. Guy V. Henry * Mayor

George B. McClellan, Jr. George Brinton McClellan Jr. (November 23, 1865November 30, 1940), was an American statesman, author, historian, and educator. The son of the American Civil War general and presidential candidate George B. McClellan, he was the 93rd Mayor of N ...

- Son of Major General

* Maj. Gen.

David D. Porter David Dixon Porter (June 8, 1813 – February 13, 1891) was a United States Navy admiral and a member of one of the most distinguished families in the history of the U.S. Navy. Promoted as the second U.S. Navy officer ever to attain the rank of ...

(USMC) *

John Stone Stone John Stone Stone (September 24, 1869 – May 20, 1943) was an American mathematician, physicist and inventor. He initially worked in telephone research, followed by influential work developing early radio technology, where he was especially ...

* R. Adm.

Montgomery M. Taylor Montgomery Meigs Taylor (13 October 1869 – 21 October 1952) was an Admiral (United States), admiral in the United States Navy. He served in the Navy from 1890 to 1933, fought in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish–American War in 1898, ...

* R. Adm. Aaron Ward * Maj. Gen.

William W. Wotherspoon William Wallace Wotherspoon (November 16, 1850 – October 21, 1921) was a United States Army general who served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1914. Early life Wotherspoon was born in Washington, D.C., on November 16, 1850, the ...

Trivia

As the Mexican War was fought only 14 years prior to the American Civil War, many senior officers in both the Union and Confederate armies had been members of the Aztec Club. Of 287 members who joined the society by 1895, 121 were generals in the Union or Confederate armies. Two

presidents of the United States The president of the United States is the head of state and head of government of the United States, indirectly elected to a four-year term via the Electoral College. The officeholder leads the executive branch of the federal government and ...

were members of the Aztec Club –

and

. Another president who was a veteran of the Mexican War was President and Major General

Zachary Taylor Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was an American military leader who served as the 12th president of the United States from 1849 until his death in 1850. Taylor was a career officer in the United States Army, rising to th ...

, who, although having served with great distinction during the war and despite some sources to the contrary, was not a member of the Aztec Club. He does not appear on the roll of the 160 original members of the society i
The Constitution of the Aztec Club of 1847 and the List of Members, 1893
This is because the Club was formed by officers serving in Mexico City in 1847 and Taylor served in northeastern Mexico. The Aztec Club did not expand its membership beyond the original 160 members until 1871 – 21 years after Taylor's death.The Constitution of the Aztec Club of 1847 and the List of Members. 1893. Judd and DeWeiler, Printers. pg. 12.

John C. Breckinridge John Cabell Breckinridge (January 16, 1821 – May 17, 1875) was an American lawyer, politician, and soldier. He represented Kentucky in both houses of Congress and became the 14th and youngest-ever vice president of the United States. Serving ...

, who was Vice President of the United States from 1857 to 1861 and a candidate for president in 1860, who served with the Army of Occupation of Mexico City as the major of the 3rd Kentucky Infantry, did not join the Aztec Club before his death in 1875. He served as a Major General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

References

{{reflist American people of the Mexican–American War American military personnel of the Mexican–American War Lineage societies Mexican–American War