The Medallic History of the United States of America Part 60

Within a wreath of laurel and palm inclosing a serpent biting its tail--emblem of immortality through glory and victory: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS JULY 16{TH} 1846. PALO ALTO MAY 8{TH} 1846 RESACA DE LA PALMA MAY 9{TH} 1846.[114]

[Footnote 114: See INTRODUCTION, pages xxiv and xxv.]

ZACHARY TAYLOR was born in Orange County, Virginia, September 24, 1784. His father soon after removed to a plantation near Louisville, Kentucky, where young Taylor pa.s.sed the early years of his life. He entered the army as first lieutenant of infantry, 1808; was captain, 1810; distinguished himself by his defence of Fort Harrison, on the Wabash river, against the Indians led by Tec.u.mseh, September 5, 1812, for which he was breveted major; full major, 1814; lieutenant-colonel, 1819; colonel, 1832. He served during all this period against the Indians on the north-west frontier; he was ordered to Florida in 1836, and won the battle of Okechobee against the Seminoles, December 25, 1837, for which he was made brigadier-general by brevet and commander-in-chief in Florida, 1838; commander of the first division in the south-west in 1840, in which year he removed from Kentucky to Louisiana, where he bought a plantation near Baton Rouge. Appointed commander of the army of occupation in Texas, July, 1845, he defeated the Mexican armies in battle at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, May 8 and 9, 1846; at Monterey, September 24, same year; and at Buena Vista, February 22 and 23, 1847. For these victories Congress gave him a vote of thanks and three gold medals.[115] He was made (p. 282) major-general, June 29, 1846; became President of the United States, March 5, 1849, and died at the White House in Washington, July 9, 1850. His soldiers gave him the sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready."

[Footnote 115: See Nos. 60, page 290, and 63, page 336.]

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ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Taylor._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress a.s.sembled_: That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered to Major-General Zachary Taylor, commanding the army of occupation, his officers and men, for the fort.i.tude, skill, enterprise, and courage, which have distinguished the recent brilliant operations on the Rio Grande.

SECTION 2. _And be it further resolved_, That Congress sincerely sympathize with the relatives and friends of the officers and soldiers of the army of the United States who so bravely fell in the service of their country on the Rio Grande.

SECTION 3. _And be it further resolved_, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to General Taylor, and through him to the army under his command.

SECTION 4. _And be it further resolved_, That the President of the United States be authorized and requested to have a medal of gold procured, with appropriate devices and inscriptions thereon, and presented to General Taylor, in the name of the Republic, as a tribute to his good conduct, valor, and generosity to the vanquished.

Approved July 16, 1846.

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_General Taylor to the Adjutant-General of the Army._

To Headquarters, Army of Occupation, THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Camp at Palo Alto, Texas, Washington, D. C. May 9, 1846.

Sir: I have the honor to report that I was met near this place yesterday, on my march from Point Isabel, by the Mexican forces, and, after an action of about five hours, dislodged them from their position and encamped upon the field. Our artillery consisting of two eighteen-pounders and two light batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent manner in which it was manoeuvred and served is our success mainly due.

The strength of the enemy is believed to have been about (p. 283) 6000 men, with seven pieces of artillery and 800 cavalry. His loss is probably at least one hundred killed. Our strength did not exceed, all told, twenty-three hundred, while our loss was comparatively trifling: four men killed, three officers and thirty-seven men wounded, several of the latter mortally. I regret to say that Major Ringgold, 2d Artillery, and Captain Page, 4th Infantry, are severely wounded. Lieutenant Luther, 2d Artillery, slightly so.

The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed has repa.s.sed the river. I have advanced parties now thrown forward in his direction, and shall move the main body immediately.

In the haste of this report, I can only say that the officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner throughout the action. I shall have the pleasure of making a more detailed report when those of the different commanders shall be received.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, _Brevet Brigadier-General U. S. A._, _commanding_.

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_General Taylor to the Adjutant-General of the Army._

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, Camp at Resaca de la Palma, 3 miles from Matamoros, To 10 o'clock P.M., May 9, 1846.

THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honor to report that I marched with the main body of the army at two o'clock to-day, having previously thrown forward a body of light infantry into the forest, which covers the Matamoros road. When near the spot where I am now encamped, my advance discovered that a ravine crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy with artillery. I immediately ordered a battery of field artillery to sweep the position, flanking and sustaining it by the 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments, deployed as skirmishers to the right and left. A heavy fire of artillery and of musketry was kept up for some time, until finally the enemy's batteries were carried in succession by a squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry that were on the ground. He was soon driven from his position, and pursued by a squadron of dragoons, battalion of artillery, 3d Infantry, and a light battery, to the river. Our victory has been complete. Eight pieces of artillery, with a great quant.i.ty of ammunition, three standards, and some one hundred prisoners have been taken; among the latter, General La Vega, and several other officers. One general is understood to have been killed. The enemy has recrossed the river, and I am sure will not again molest us on this bank.

The loss of the enemy in killed has been most severe. Our (p. 284) own has been very heavy, and I deeply regret to report that Lieutenant Inge, 2d Dragoons, Lieutenant Cochrane, 4th Infantry, and Lieutenant Chadbourne, 8th Infantry, were killed on the field. Lieutenant-Colonel Payne, 4th Artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel McIntosh, Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d Infantry; Captain Hoe and Lieutenant Fowler, 5th Infantry; and Captain Montgomery, Lieutenants Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan, 8th Infantry, were wounded. The extent of our loss in killed and wounded is not yet ascertained, and is reserved for a more detailed report.

The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supplement to the cannonade of yesterday; and the two taken together, exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and men in the most favorable light. All have done their duty, and done it n.o.bly. It will be my pride, in a more circ.u.mstantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular instances of individual distinction.

It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the field-work opposite Matamoros has sustained itself handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment of 160 hours. But the pleasure is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indomitable commander, Major Brown, who died to-day from the effect of a sh.e.l.l. His loss would be a severe one to the service at any time, but to the army under my orders it is indeed irreparable. One officer and one non-commissioned officer killed, and ten men wounded, comprise all the casualties incident to this severe bombardment.

I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large number of pack-mules left in the Mexican camp.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, _Brevet Brigadier-General U. S. A._, _commanding_.

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_General Order Congratulating the Army._

Head Quarters, Army of Occupation, Resaca de la Palma, May 11, 1846.

The commanding general congratulates the army under his command upon the signal success which has crowned its recent operations against the enemy. The coolness and steadiness of the troops during the action of the 8th, and the brilliant impetuosity with which the enemy's position and artillery were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of the American soldier. To every officer and soldier of his command, the general returns his thanks for the n.o.ble manner in which they have sustained the honor of the service and of the country. While the main body of the army has been thus actively employed, the garrison left opposite Matamoros has rendered no less distinguished service, by sustaining a severe cannonade and bombardment for many successive days. The army and the country, while justly rejoicing in this triumph of our arms, will deplore the loss of many brave (p. 285) officers and men who fell gallantly in the hour of combat.

It being necessary for the commanding general to visit Point Isabel on public business, Colonel Twiggs will a.s.sume command of the corps of the army near Matamoros, including the garrison of the field-work. He will occupy the former lines of the army, making such dispositions for defence and for the comfort of his command as he may deem advisable. He will hold himself strictly on the defensive until the return of the commanding general.

By order of Brig. Gen. Taylor.

W. W. BLISS, _Act. Adj. Gen._

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_General Taylor to the Adjutant-General of the Army._

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, To Camp near Matamoros, May 16, 1846.

THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C.

"Sir: The main body of the Army of Occupation marched under my immediate orders from Point Isabel on the evening of the 7th of May, and bivouacked seven miles from that place.

"Our march was resumed the following morning. About noon, when our advance of cavalry had reached the water-hole of 'Palo Alto,'

the Mexican troops were reported in our front, and were soon discovered occupying the road in force. I ordered a halt upon reaching the water, with a view to rest and refresh the men, and to form deliberately our line of battle. The Mexican line was now plainly visible across the prairie, and about three-quarters of a mile distant. Their left, which was composed of a heavy force of cavalry, occupied the road, resting upon a thicket of chapparal, while ma.s.ses of infantry were discovered in succession on the right, greatly outnumbering our own force.

"Our line of battle was now formed in the following order, commencing on the extreme right: 5th Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel M'Intosh; Major Ringgold's Artillery; 3d Infantry, commanded by Captain L. N. Morris; two eighteen-pounders, commanded by Lieutenant Churchill, 3d Artillery; 4th Infantry, commanded by Major G. W. Allen; the 3d and 4th regiments composed the Third Brigade, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Garland; and all the above corps, together with two squadrons of dragoons, under Captains Ker and May, composed the right wing, under the orders of Colonel Twiggs. The left was formed by the battalion of artillery, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, Captain Duncan's Light Artillery, and the Eighth Infantry, under Captain Montgomery; all forming the First Brigade, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap. The train was parked near the water, under direction of Captains Grossman and Myers, and protected by Captain Ker's squadron.

"About 2 o'clock, we took up the march, by heads of columns, in the direction of the enemy, the eighteen-pounder battery following the road. While the columns were advancing, (p. 286) Lieutenant Blake, Topographical Engineer, volunteered a reconnoissance of the enemy's line, which was handsomely performed, and resulted in the discovery of at least tyro batteries of artillery in the intervals of their cavalry and infantry. These batteries were soon opened upon us, when I ordered the columns halted and deployed into line, and the fire to be returned by all our artillery. The Eighth Infantry, on our extreme left, was thrown back to secure that flank. The first fires of the enemy did little execution, while our eighteen-pounders and Major Ringgold's artillery soon dispersed the cavalry which formed his left. Captain Duncan's battery, thrown forward in advance of the line, was doing good execution at this time. Captain May's squadron was now detached to support that battery and the left of our position. The Mexican cavalry with two pieces of artillery were now reported to be moving through the chapparal to our right to threaten that flank, or make a demonstration against the train. The Fifth Infantry was immediately detached to check this movement, and, supported by Lieutenant Ridgely, with a section of Major Ringgold's battery and Captain Walker's company of volunteers, effectually repulsed the enemy, the Fifth Infantry repelling a charge of lancers, and the artillery doing great execution in their ranks. The Third Infantry was now detached to the right as a still further security to that flank, yet threatened by the enemy. Major Ringgold, with the remaining section, kept up his fire from an advanced position, and was supported by the Fourth Infantry.

"The gra.s.s of the prairie had been accidentally fired by our artillery, and the volumes of smoke now partially concealed the armies from each other. As the enemy's left had evidently been driven back, and left the road free, the cannonade having been suspended, I ordered forward the eighteen-pounders on the road nearly to the position first occupied by the Mexican cavalry, and caused the First Brigade to take up a new position still on the left of the eighteen-pounder battery. The Fifth was advanced from its former position and occupied a point on the extreme right of the new line. The enemy made a change of position corresponding to our own, and after suspension of nearly an hour the action was resumed.

"The fire of artillery was now most destructive; openings were constantly made through the enemy's ranks by our fire, and the constancy with which the Mexican infantry sustained this severe cannonade was a theme of universal remark and admiration. Captain May's squadron was detached to make a demonstration on the left of the enemy's position, and suffered severely from the fire of artillery to which it was for some time exposed.

"The Fourth Infantry, which had been ordered to support the eighteen-pounder battery, was exposed to a most galling fire of artillery, by which several men were killed, and Captain Page dangerously wounded. The enemy's fire was directed against our eighteen-pounder battery, and the guns under Major Ringgold in its vicinity. The major himself, while coolly directing the fire of his pieces, was struck by a cannon ball and mortally wounded.

"In the mean time, the Battalion of Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, had been brought up to support the artillery on our right. A strong demonstration of cavalry was now made by the enemy against this part of our line, and the column continued to advance under a severe fire from the eighteen-pounders.

The battalion was instantly formed in square, and held ready (p. 287) ready to receive the charge of cavalry, but when the advancing squadrons were within close range, a deadly fire of canister from the eighteen-pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small-arms was now opened upon the square, by which one officer, Lieutenant Luther, 2d Artillery, was slightly wounded, but a well directed volley from the front of the square silenced all further firing from the enemy in this quarter. It was now nearly dark, and the action was closed on the right of our line, the enemy having been completely driven back from his position, and foiled in every attempt against our line.

"While the above was going forward on our right, and under my own eye, the enemy had made a serious attempt against the left of our line. Captain Duncan instantly perceived the movement, and by a bold and brilliant manoeuvring of his battery, completely repulsed several successive efforts of the enemy to advance in force upon our left flank. Supported in succession by the 8th Infantry and Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons, he gallantly held the enemy at bay, and finally drove him, with immense loss, from the field. The action here and along the whole line continued until dark, when the enemy retired into the chapparal in rear of his position. Our army bivouacked on the ground it occupied. During the afternoon the train had been moved forward about half a mile, and was parked in rear of the new position.