The Battle of Baton Rouge was a battle in the American-Mexican War fought in November and December of 1839, and marked the first American victory in the conflict after a fall of losses in Texas and the retreat into Louisiana. The battle marked the first of several attempts by the Mexican Army under Juan Lupe Valdez to cross the Mississippi River, all to no avail. Fought between 27 November to 6 December, it was the longest sustained fighting until the Battle of Covenant three years later. Many historians consider Baton Rouge the first important turning point in the war, as the Mexicans withdrew after heavy casualties attempting to cross the river and the collapse of the two beachheads they initially established, and gave an important morale boost to the Americans while protecting the cruci