pitched battle - a fierce battle fought in close combat between troops in predetermined positions at a chosen time and place

Mexican War - after disputes over Texas lands that were settled by Mexicans the United States declared war on Mexico in 1846 and by treaty in 1848 took Texas and California and Arizona and New Mexico and Nevada and Utah and part of Colorado and paid Mexico $15,000,000

Mexico, United Mexican States - a Republic in southern North America; became independent from Spain in 1810