The Medallic History of the United States of America Part 61

"Our loss this day was nine killed, forty-four wounded, and two missing. Among the wounded were Major Ringgold, who has since died, and Captain Page dangerously wounded. Lieutenant Luther slightly so.

"Our own force is shown by the field report to have been 177 officers and 2111 men: aggregate 2288. The Mexican force, according to the statements of their own officers, was not less than 6000 regular troops, with ten pieces of artillery, and probably exceeded that number; the irregular force not known.

Their loss was not less than 200 killed and 400 wounded; probably greater. This estimate is very moderate, and formed upon the number actually counted upon the field, and upon the report of their own officers.

"As already reported in my first brief despatch, the conduct of our officers and men was everything that could be desired.

Exposed for hours to the severest trial, cannonade of artillery, our troops displayed a coolness and constancy which gave me throughout the a.s.surance of victory.

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

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_The Secretary of War to Doctor Patterson._

To War Department, DOCTOR R. M. PATTERSON, December 9th, 1846.

Director of the United States Mint, Philadelphia.

Sir: By a resolution of Congress, approved the 16th of July last, the President is authorized and requested to have a medal of gold procured, with appropriate devices and inscriptions thereon, (p. 288) and presented to General Taylor. Preliminary arrangements are being made to carry out the object of the resolution, and as soon as a likeness of the general can be procured, the Department will be prepared to place the design of the medal in the hands of the die sinker. In the meantime it is desired to know whether the work can be executed at the Mint, under your direction, and what measures it may be necessary to take to insure a speedy compliance with the resolution. May I request to be furnished with your views on the subject, with such suggestions as may facilitate the object contemplated.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Wm. L. MARCY, _Secretary of War_.

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_Doctor Patterson to the Secretary of War._

To the Honorable William L. MARCY, Mint of the United States, Secretary of War. December 12, 1846.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th inst., regarding the execution of the Medal voted by Congress to General Taylor, and asking me to present "my views on the subject with such suggestions as may facilitate the object contemplated."

I comply cheerfully with this request, and recommend the following measures:

_First._ That a likeness of General Taylor be procured in profile. A good daguerreotype would answer very well.

_Secondly._ That a medallion of the head and bust be made in wax, on a plate of about four inches in diameter. Mr. Chapman, of New York, would be competent to make it.

_Thirdly._ This being done, the remainder of the work required for making the obverse die can be committed to Mr. Franklin Peale, the chief coiner of the Mint. A cast is made from the medallion in iron. This is used as a pattern, and a reduced copy of it is cut in steel, by the action of an apparatus called a portrait lathe, which we have in our possession here.

When the likeness is thus cut on the die, the legend is to be struck in, and will consist, I presume, of the name and t.i.tle, MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.

For the reverse, I would recommend that no emblematic design should be attempted, but that it be composed of a wreath, enclosing the words:

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS JULY 16, 1846.

PALO ALTO MAY 8, 1846.

RESACA DE LA PALMA MAY 9, 1846.

The medal awarded General Scott presents an example of that which is now suggested.

For the dies thus described (hardened and polished complete), (p. 289) Mr. Peale estimates the whole cost at $600.

For the gold medal the estimate is as follows:

8 oz. fine gold at $20.67 $165.36 Striking and wastage 20.00 Case 5.00 ------- $190.36

Whole cost $790.36

May I venture to make another suggestion? It is, that besides the medal of gold which is sent to General Taylor himself, there be a large number of copies struck in bronze, to be distributed in such manner as may be determined by the War Department.

In this case, it would be necessary to make _hubs_ for the purpose of replacing the dies when injured.

Including this work Mr. Peale presents the following estimates:

500 bronze medals, at $1.50 $750 500 cases, at $1.00 500 ------ $1,250

Mr. Peale asks me to present the medals which are sent with this letter. That in bronze is for yourself, and that in silver gilt we request you to give to the President.

They were made by the process recommended in this letter. The medallion was modelled by Mr. Chapman. You will not fail to observe that the head and shoulder are in too great relief, the former to such an extent as partially to overshadow the features of the face. This is a fault easily avoided in a new medallion.

I beg you to be a.s.sured that any services which I can render to you in this matter are fully at your command.

Very respectfully, Your faithful servant, R. M. PATTERSON, _Director_.

No. 60. (p. 290) PLATE LXI.

_September 24, 1846._

Major General Zachary Taylor, [Rx]. Resolution of Congress March 2nd 1847, etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.

[_Taking of Monterey._]

MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. Bust of General Taylor, in uniform, facing the right.

Within a wreath of oak: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS MARCH 2nd 1847 MONTEREY SEPTEMBER 1846.

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ORIGINAL DOc.u.mENTS.

_Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Taylor._

_Resolved unanimously by the Senate and 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, his officers and men, for the fort.i.tude, skill, enterprise, and courage which distinguished the late brilliant military operations at Monterey.

_Resolved_, That the President be requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with devices emblematical of this splendid achievement, and presented to General Taylor as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress for his judicious and distinguished conduct on that memorable occasion.

_Resolved_, That the President of the United States be further requested to cause swords, with suitable devices, to be presented to Major-General Butler, Major-General Henderson, and to Brigadier-General Quitman, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of their gallantry and good conduct in storming Monterey.