Scott has gathered supplies and reinforcements at Puebla during the preceding months, and sent back units whose enlistments have expired.

Scott also makes strong efforts to keep his troops disciplined and treat the Mexican people under occupation justly, so as to prevent a popular rising against his army.

With guerrillas harassing his line of communications back to Veracruz, Scott decides not to weaken his army to defend Puebla but, leaving only a garrison at Puebla to protect the sick and injured recovering there, advances on Mexico City on August 7 with his remaining force.