Mexican War (1846-1848)The United States and Mexico went to war in 1846 after their armies clashed over territory each had claimed in the Southwest. Vast areas of the country were unexplored and contested. Settlers moving west demanded roads, canals, and navigable rivers. These needs led the Army to revise its structure and make more efficient use of its specialized officers. In 1829 the Topographical Bureau became an independent branch of the Army reporting directly to the Secretary of War. This new organization professionalized the role of soldier-explorer. 
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