Had the battle of Buena Vista not been fought Santa Anna would have had time to move leisurely to meet the invader further south and with an army not demoralized nor depleted by defeat.
After the battle the victorious army moved on to Jalapa, where it was in a beautiful, productive and healthy country, far above the fevers of the coast.

Jalapa, however, is still in the mountains, and between there and the great plain the whole line of the road is easy of defence.

It was important, therefore, to get possession of the great highway between the sea-coast and the capital up to the point where it leaves the mountains, before the enemy could have time to re-organize and fortify in our front.

Worth's division was selected to go forward to secure this result.

The division marched to Perote on the great plain, not far from where the road debouches from the mountains.