"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 manœuvring 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.
"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 assurance of victory.
"I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"Z. Taylor,
"Brevet Brigadier-General U.S.A., commanding."
The Secretary of War to Doctor Patterson.
War Department,
December 9th, 1846.
To
Doctor R. M. Patterson,
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, 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.