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._

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