Chapter 39

Dear Sir: I have the honour to inform you that the combined force of the enemy, amounting to at least 500 regulars, and seven or eight hundred Indians, under the immediate command of General Proctor, made its appearance before this place early on Sunday evening last, and so soon as the general had made such disposition of his troops as would cut off my retreat, should I be disposed to make one, he sent Colonel Elliott, accompanied by Major Chambers, with a flag to demand the surrender of the fort, as he was anxious to spare the effusion of blood, which he should probably not have it in his power to do should he be reduced to the necessity of taking the place by storm. My answer to the summons was, that I was determined to defend the place to the last extremity, and that no force, however large, should induce me to surrender it. So soon as the flag had returned, a brisk fire was opened upon us from the gunboats in the river, and from a five and a half inch howitzer on shore, which was kept up with little intermission through the night. At an early hour the next morning, three sixes (which had been placed during the night within 250 yards of the pickets) began to play upon us, but with little effect. About 4 o'clock P.M., discovering that the fire from all his guns was concentrated against the northwestern angle of the fort, I became confident that his object was to make a breach, and attempt to storm the works at that point. I therefore ordered out as many men as could be employed for the purpose of strengthening that front, which was so effectually secured by means of bags of flour, sand, &c., that the picketing suffered little or no injury. Notwithstanding which, the enemy, about 5 o'clock, having formed in close column, advancing to assail our works at the expected point, at the same time making two feints at the front of Captain Hunter's line, the column which advanced against the north-western angle, consisting of about 350 men, (p. 274) was so completely enveloped in smoke as not to be discovered until it had approached within fifteen or twenty paces of the lines; but the men being all at their posts and ready to receive it, commenced so heavy and galling a fire as to throw the column a little into confusion. Being quickly rallied, it advanced to the outer works and began to leap into the ditch. Just at that moment a fire of grape was opened from our six pounder (which had been previously arranged so as to rake in that direction), which, together with the musketry, threw them into such confusion, that they were compelled to retire precipitately to the woods. During the assault, which lasted about half an hour, an incessant fire was kept up by the enemy's artillery (which consisted of five sixes and a howitzer), but without effect. My whole loss during the siege, was one killed and seven wounded slightly. The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, and prisoners, must exceed one hundred and fifty; one lieutenant-colonel, a lieutenant and fifty rank and file, were found in and about the ditch, those of the remainder, who were not able to escape, were taken off during the night by the Indians. Seventy stand of arms and several brace of pistols have been collected near the work. About three in the morning the enemy sailed down the river, leaving behind them a boat, containing clothing and considerable military stores. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates under my command for their gallantry and good conduct during the siege.

Yours, with respect, G. CROGHAN, _Major 17th U. S. Infantry comdg. L. S._

No. 56. (p. 275) PLATE LVII.

_March 4, 1837--March 4, 1841._

Martin Van Buren President of the United States A. D. 1837. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT MARTIN VAN BUREN.

[_Eighth President of the United States of America._]

MARTIN VAN BUREN PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES A. D. (_Anno Domini: The year of our Lord_) 1837. Bust of President Van Buren, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (_fecit_).

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes, and buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

MARTIN VAN BUREN was born at Kinderhook, Columbia County, New York, December 5, 1782. He received his early education at a common school; was admitted to the bar in the city of New York, 1803; State senator, 1812; attorney-general of New York, 1815; United States senator, 1821-1828; governor of New York, 1828; secretary of State to President Jackson, 1829-1831; appointed minister to England, 1831, but was not confirmed by the Senate; vice-president of the United States, 1833-1837; President of the United States, 1837-1841. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency in 1848. He died at Kinderhook, July 24, 1862.

No. 57. (p. 276) PLATE LVIII.

_April 4, 1841--March 4, 1845._

John Tyler, President of the United States. 1841. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JOHN TYLER.

[_Tenth[112] President of the United States of America._]

[Footnote 112: General Harrison, the ninth President, died one month after his inauguration, and no Indian peace medal of him was struck.]

JOHN TYLER, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1841. Bust of President Tyler, facing the left.

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes, and buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

This medal bears no signature. Below are given the only documents relating to it which could be obtained.

JOHN TYLER was born in Charles City County, Virginia, March 29, 1790. He was graduated at William and Mary College, Virginia, 1807; and was admitted to the bar, 1809. He was a member of the State Legislature, 1811-1816; member of Congress, 1816-1821; member of the State Legislature, 1823-1825; governor of Virginia, 1825-1827; United States senator, 1827-1836; vice-president of the United States, March 4, 1841, and President, on the death of General Harrison (April 4), (p. 277) 1841-1845. He took part with the South during the Civil War, and was a member of the Confederate Congress. He died in Richmond, January 17, 1862.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_R. M. Patterson to J. C. Spencer._

To the Honorable J. C. SPENCER, Mint of the United States, Secretary of War. November 2, 1841.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th ult., and am gratified to see the interest which you take in the subject of our American Medals.

The Military Medals of which we have the dies, are now in the course of execution, in compliance with your request. Among them is included the Medal voted, in 1777, to General Gates, of which the dies were given, by the family, through Colonel Burr, to our former chief coiner, Mr. Eckfeldt.

Electrotype copies of the other Medals, properly mounted, could be furnished at two dollars each. We have already the means of making the following: Washington--Boston, 1776; Colonel Howard--Cowpens, 1781; General Greene, 1781: Alliance with France, 1777-1781[113]; Colonel Washington--Cowpens, 1781.

The dies for the Indian Medals, bearing the heads of the successive Presidents, have heretofore been cut by artists in this country; the earlier ones by Reich, the later by Fürst. One of these is dead, and the other in Europe.

I now propose, with your approbation, to pursue a different course, and to dispense entirely with the services of the die sinker. For this purpose, a medallion likeness of the President must be modeled in wax or clay, on a table of four inches in diameter, and I understand that an artist at Washington, named Chapman, is competent to this work. A plaster cast from this model is used as a pattern for a casting in fine iron, which can be executed by Babbit at Boston, as well as at the celebrated foundries at Berlin. This casting is then placed in an instrument called a _portrait lathe_ (of which we have a very perfect one at the Mint, which I caused to be made at Paris), and reduced fac-similes of it are turned by the lathe, thus preparing for us the dies which we need.

The advantages offered by this mode of operating are manifest. A model made on a large scale in relief, and in plastic material, can hardly fail to be more perfect than a head sunk originally on a die of steel. I accordingly anticipate from this process a more perfect set of dies, than any we have yet made. But it is not an untried experiment which I propose to make. I send you herewith, a medal of Franklin executed by us here, entirely by this process. The original was a medallion likeness of Franklin in burnt (p. 278) clay. All the rest was a purely mechanical operation, (the work being, in fact, done by a steam engine), except a little retouching, and the impression of the letters.

The proposed method presents the advantage of greater economy. The last Indian Medal dies, which were the cheapest we have had made, cost $1,160; Mr. Peale, our chief coiner, is willing to undertake the execution of those for President Tyler, for $800.

The Medals for President Van Buren were begun, and in fact completed, in anticipation of the necessary appropriation by Congress, and I would suggest to you, whether the same course would not be desirable now.

I present the following estimate, for the appropriation to be asked:

For furnishing three head dies........................... $800.00 For preparing, striking, ringing, etc., 60 of the largest Medals at $2.37 each..... 142.20 For 200 of the two smaller sizes at $1.37 each................................. 274.00 Fine silver used for the Medals.............. 1,000.00 Contingencies.................................. 283.80 --------- $2,500.00

[Footnote 113: The Libertas Americana medal.]

It may perhaps be judged proper to introduce Indian Medals of President Harrison into the series.

In this case, the estimate need not be doubled, for it is not to be supposed that many more _Medals_ would be wanted. I should suppose that an additional appropriation of $1000 would be sufficient. I may remark, however, that Washington is not in the series of Indian Medals, and that Harrison, like Washington, is in the series of those voted by Congress to our successful military commanders.

I wait your instructions, which I shall execute with great pleasure.

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

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_J. C. Spencer to R. M. Patterson._

To DOCTOR R. M. PATTERSON, Department of War. Director of the Mint, Washington, Nov. 13, 1841. Philadelphia, Penn.

Sir: I have had the pleasure to receive your letter of the 2d instant, respecting the means of procuring the dies for Medals bearing the likeness of President Tyler. The advantages of the mode you propose are sufficiently attested by the execution of the Medal accompanying your letter, and, in accordance with your suggestions, measures have been adopted to have a medallion likeness of the President taken, the execution of which has been entrusted to Mr. Pettrich, whose merit as an artist cannot be unknown to you.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. SPENCER.

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_R. M. Patterson to John C. Spencer._ (p. 279)

To the Honorable John C. SPENCER, Mint, U.S. Secretary of War. September 17, 1842.

Sir: Permit me to ask whether an appropriation was made at the late session of Congress for defraying the expense of making a set of medals bearing the head of the President, to be given to Indian chiefs, as has been the custom heretofore. In consequence of our former correspondence on this subject, you are aware that some steps have already been taken for accomplishing this object. Let me inquire of you whether the work is to go forward.

R. M. PATTERSON, _Director_.

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_D. Parker to R. M. Patterson._

R. M. PATTERSON, Esq., War Department. Director of the Mint, Washington, D. C., Sep. 21, 1842. Philadelphia.

Sir: In answer to your letter of the 17th instant, in the absence of the Secretary of War, I have to state that $2,500 was appropriated during the last session of Congress for making medals bearing the head of the President, to be given to Indian chiefs. Of this $50 was paid to Mr. Pettrich, and a requisition has this day been made in your favor for $1,500, which the Treasury Department is requested to remit to you as early as practicable.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. PARKER, _Chief Clerk_.

No. 58. (p. 280) PLATE LIX.

_March 4, 1845--March 4, 1849._

James K. Polk, President of the United States, 1845. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JAMES KNOX POLK.

[_Eleventh President of the United States of America._]

JAMES K (_Knox_) POLK PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 1845. Bust of President Polk, facing the left.

PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP. Two hands clasped in token of amity; on the cuff of the left wrist three stripes, and buttons with the American eagle on them; the other wrist bare; above the hands, a calumet and tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

The obverse of this medal, though not signed, was made by Franklin Peale, as may be seen by the following extract from a despatch of R. M. Patterson, director of the Mint, to William Medill, commissioner of Indian Affairs, and dated Philadelphia, June 15, 1846. "The Indian medals, with the head of President Polk, being nearly finished by our chief coiner, Mr. Peale, etc."

JAMES KNOX POLK was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, November 2, 1795. He was graduated at the University of North Carolina, 1818; was admitted to the bar in Nashville, Tennessee, 1820; member of the State Legislature, 1823-1825; member of Congress, 1825-1839; speaker of the House of Representatives of the United States, 1835-1839; governor of Tennessee, 1839-1841; President of the United States, 1845-1849. He died in Nashville, June 15, 1849.

No. 59. (p. 281) PLATE LX.

_May 8 and 9, 1846._

Major General Zachary Taylor. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress, July 16th, 1846, etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.

[_Victories on the Rio Grande._]

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

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 passed 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 Tecumseh, 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 DOCUMENTS.

_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 assembled_: 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 fortitude, 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 repassed 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 quantity 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 nobly. It will be my pride, in a more circumstantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular instances of individual distinction.