Worth, William Jenkins definition of Worth, William Jenkins in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

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 Seminole, Native North Americans whose language belongs to the Muskogean branch of the Hokan-Siouan linguistic stock (see Native American languages ). They separated (their name means "separatist") from the Creek in the early 18th cent.
..... Click the link for more information. . In the Mexican War Mexican War, 1846–48, armed conflict between the United States and Mexico.

Causes

While the immediate cause of the war was the U.S. annexation of Texas (Dec., 1845), other factors had disturbed peaceful relations between the two republics.
..... Click the link for more information. , 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. Fort Worth, Tex., was named for him.

Bibliography

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