The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 (part 2 of 3)

The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 (part 2 of 3)

From 9 to 12, all hands were employed in warping the ship ahead, and in starting some of the water in the main hold, to lighten her, by which, with the help of a light air, we rather gained of the enemy, or at least held on our own. About 2, in the afternoon, all the boats from the line of battle ship, and some of the frigates, were sent to the frigate nearest to us, to endeavour to tow her up, but a light breeze sprung up, which enabled us to hold way with her, notwithstanding they had eight or ten boats ahead, and all her sails furled to tow her to windward. The wind continued light until 11 at night, and the boats were kept ahead towing and warping to keep out of the reach of the enemy, three of the frigates being very near us. At 11, we got a light breeze from the southward, the boats came alongside, and were hoisted up, the ship having too much way to keep them ahead, the enemy still in chase and very near.

July 19th. At daylight passed within gun shot of one of the frigates, but she did not fire on us, perhaps for fear of becalming her as the wind was light. Soon after passing us she tacked and stood after us. At this time six sail were in sight under all sail after us. At 9, in the morning, saw a strange sail on our weather beam, supposed to be an American merchant ship. The instant the frigate nearest us saw her, she hoisted American colours, as did all the squadron, in hopes to decoy her down. I immediately hoisted English colours, that she might not be deceived. She soon hauled her wind, and it is to be hoped made her escape. All this day the wind increased gradually, and we gained on the enemy, in the course of the day, six or eight miles, they however continued chasing us all night under a press of sail.

July 20th. At daylight in the morning only three of them (p. 157) could be seen from the mast head, the nearest of which was about twelve miles off directly astern. All hands were set at work wetting the sails, from the royals down, with the engine and fire-buckets, and we soon found that we left the enemy very fast. At quarter past 8, the enemy finding that they were fast dropping astern, gave over the chase, and hauled their own wind to the northward, probably for the station off New York. At half-past 8, saw a sail ahead, gave chase after her under all sail. At 9, saw another strange sail under our lee bow. We soon spoke the first sail, discovered and found her to be an American brig from St. Domingo, bound to Portland. I directed the captain how to steer to avoid the enemy, and made sail for the vessel to leeward. On coming up with her, she proved to be an American brig from St. Bartholomews, bound to Philadelphia, but on being informed of war, she bore up for Charleston, S. C.

Finding the ship so far to the southward and eastward, and the enemy's squadron stationed off New York, which would make it impossible for the ship to get in there, I determined to make for Boston to receive your further orders, and I hope that my having done so will meet your approbation. My wish to explain to you as clearly as possible why your orders have not been executed, and the length of time the enemy were in chase of us, with various other circumstances, have caused me to make this communication much longer than I would have wished, yet I cannot (in justice to the brave officers and crew under my command) close it without expressing to you the confidence I have in them, and assuring you that their conduct whilst under the guns of the enemy was such as might have been expected from American officers and seamen.

I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, your obedient humble servant, Isaac HULL.

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Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States Frigate Constitution, Paul HAMILTON, Off Boston Light, August 30, 1812. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you that on the 19th instant, at 2 P.M., being in latitude 41° 42´, longitude 55° 48´, with the Constitution under my command, a sail was discovered from the masthead bearing E. by S. or E. S. E., but at such a distance we could not tell what she was. All sail was instantly made in chase, and we soon found we came up with her. At 3 P.M. could plainly see that she was a ship on the starboard tack, under easy sail, close on a wind; at half past 3 P.M. made her out to be a frigate; continued the chase until we were within about three miles, when I ordered the light sails taken in, the courses hauled up, and the ship cleared for action. At this time the chase had backed his main top-sail, waiting for us to come down. As soon as the Constitution was ready for action, I bore down with an intention to bring him to close action immediately; but on our coming within gunshot she gave us a broadside and filled away, and wore, giving us a broadside on the other tack; but (p. 158) without effect; her shot falling short. She continued wearing and manoeuvering for about three-quarters of an hour, to get a raking position, but finding she could not, bore up, and run under topsails and gib, with the wind on the quarter. Immediately made sail to bring the ship up with her, and five minutes before 6 P.M. being alongside within half pistol shot, we commenced a heavy fire from all our guns, double-shotted with round and grape, and so well directed were they, and so warmly kept up, that in fifteen minutes her mizzen-mast went by the board, and her mainyard in the slings, and the hull, rigging and sails were very much torn to pieces. The fire was kept up with equal warmth for fifteen minutes longer, when her main-mast and fore-mast went, taking with them every spar, excepting the bowsprit; on seeing this we ceased firing, so that in thirty minutes after we got fairly alongside the enemy she surrendered, and had not a spar standing, and her hull below and above water so shattered that a few more broadsides must have carried her down.

After informing you that so fine a ship as the Guerrière, commanded by an able and experienced officer, had been totally dismasted, and otherwise cut to pieces, so as to make her not worth towing into port, in the short space of 30 minutes, you can have no doubt of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and ship's company I have the honour to command. It only remains, therefore, for me to assure you, that they all fought with great bravery; and it gives me great pleasure to say, that from the smallest boy in the ship to the oldest seaman, not a look of fear was seen. They all went into action giving three cheers, and requesting to be laid close alongside the enemy.

Enclosed I have the honour to send you a list of killed and wounded on board the Constitution, and a report of the damages she has sustained; also a list of the killed and wounded on board the enemy, with his quarter-bill, &c.

I have the honour to be, with very great respect, Sir, your obedient servant,

Isaac HULL.

Killed and wounded on board the United States frigate Constitution, Isaac Hull, Esquire, Captain, in the action with His Britannic Majesty's frigate Guerrière, James A. Dacres, Esquire, Captain, on the 20th of August, 1812:

Killed: W. S. Bush, Lieutenant of Marines, and 6 seamen 7 Wounded: Lieutenant C. Morris, Master J. C. Aylwin, 4 seamen, 1 marine 7 -- Total killed and wounded 14

United States frigate Constitution, August 21st, 1812.

T. S. CHEW, Purser. Isaac HULL, Captain.

Killed and wounded on board His Britannic Majesty's frigate Guerrière:

Killed: 3 officers, 12 seamen and marines 15 Wounded: J. A. Dacres, Captain, 4 officers, 57 seamen and marines 62 Missing: Lieutenants Pullman and Roberts, and 22 seamen and marines, supposed to have gone overboard with the masts 24 --- Total killed, wounded and missing 101

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Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy. (p. 159)

To the Honourable United States Frigate Constitution, Paul HAMILTON, Boston, August 30, 1812. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: - - - - -

I cannot but make you acquainted with the very great assistance I received from that valued officer, Lieutenant Morris, in bringing the ship into action, and in working her whilst along side the enemy, and I am extremely sorry to state that he is badly wounded, being shot through the body; we have yet hopes of his recovery, when I am sure he will receive the thanks and gratitude of his country, for this and the many gallant acts he has done in its service. Were I to name any particular officer as having been more useful than the rest, I should do them great injustice; they all fought bravely, and gave me every possible assistance that I could wish. I am extremely sorry to state to you the loss of Lieutenant Bush, of marines; he fell at the head of his men in getting ready to board the enemy. In him our country has lost a valuable and brave officer. After the fall of Lieutenant Bush, Lieutenant Contee of the corps, took command of the marines, and I have pleasure in saying that his conduct was that of a brave, good officer, and the marines behaved with great coolness and courage during the action, and annoyed the enemy very much whilst she was under our stern.

I have the honour to be, with very great respect, Sir, your obedient servant, Isaac HULL.

No. 26. (p. 160) PLATE XXVII.

October 18, 1812.

Jacobus Jones virtus in ardua tendit. [Rx]. Victoriam hosti majori celerrime rapuit.

CAPTAIN JACOB JONES.

[Capture of the Frolic.]

IACOBUS JONES VIRTUS IN ARDUA TENDIT. (Jacob Jones. Valor seeks difficulties.) Bust of Captain Jones, in uniform, facing the right. On edge of bust, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

VICTORIAM HOSTI MAJORI CELERRIME RAPUIT. (He quickly snatched victory from a superior enemy.) Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Wasp, of eighteen guns, Captain Jones, and the British sloop-of-war Frolic, of twenty-two guns, Captain Whinyates. The Wasp has lost her main-topmast, and is raking the Frolic as she lays her on board. The Americans are in possession of the enemy's forecastle. Exergue: INTER WASP NAV. AMERI. ET FROLIC NAV. ANG. DIE XVIII OCT. MDCCCXII. (Inter Wasp navem Americanam et Frolic navem Anglicanam, die 18 Octobris, 1812: Between the American vessel Wasp and the English vessel Frolic, October 18, 1812.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

MORITZ FÜRST was born in Presburg, Hungary, and studied with Würt, a die sinker in the Imperial Mint of Vienna. He was for a time superintendent of the Royal Mint of Lombardy. In 1807 he was engaged by the American Consul at Leghorn as die sinker to the United States Mint, arrived the same year in America, and entered on his duties in the spring of 1808. He made nearly all the medals voted by Congress to the army and navy for the War of 1812-1815, and the Indian medals of Presidents Monroe, John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Martin Van Buren. He resided for many years in New York.

JACOB JONES was born near Smyrna, Kent County, Delaware, in March, (p. 161) 1770. He first studied medicine, but entered the navy as midshipman in 1799, was lieutenant in 1801, was taken prisoner in the frigate Philadelphia, off Tripoli, 1803, and remained in captivity for twenty months. Having been commissioned as master-commandant in 1810, he was given, in 1811, the sloop-of-war Wasp, with which he captured the British sloop-of-war Frolic, Captain Whinyates, October 18, 1812. For this gallant action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He became captain in 1813, and received the frigate Macedonian. He afterward commanded squadrons in the Mediterranean and in the Pacific; was a member of the Naval Board and governor of the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, where he died, August 3, 1850.

[Footnote 78: The resolution of Congress voting this medal is given under No. 25, page 154.]

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Captain Jacob Jones to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable Paul HAMILTON, New York, November 24th, 1813. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I here avail myself of the first opportunity of informing you of the occurrences of our cruise, which terminated in the capture of the Wasp, on the 18th of October, by the Poictiers, of 74 guns, while a wreck from damages received in an engagement with the British sloop-of-war Frolic, of 22 guns; 16 of them 32-pound carronades, and four twelve-pounders on the main deck, and two twelve-pounders, carronades, on the top-gallant forecastle, making her superior in force to us by four twelve-pounders. The Frolic had struck to us, and was taken possession of, about two hours before our surrendering to the Poictiers.

We had left the Delaware on the 13th. The 16th had a heavy gale, in which we lost our jib-boom and two men. Half-past 11, on the night of the 17th, in the latitude of 37 degrees north, and longitude 65 degrees west, we saw several sail; two of them appeared very large. We stood from them for some time, then shortened sail, and steered the remainder of the night the course we had perceived them on. At daylight, on Sunday the 18th, we saw them ahead, gave chase, and soon discovered them to be a convoy of six sail, under the protection of a sloop-of-war, four of them large ships, mounting from 16 to 18 guns. At 30 minutes past 11, A.M., we engaged the sloop-of-war, having first received her fire at the distance of fifty or sixty yards, which space we (p. 162) gradually lessened until we laid her on board, after a well supported fire of 43 minutes; and although so near, while loading the last broadside, that our rammers were shoved against the side of the enemy, our men exhibited the same alacrity which they had done during the whole of the action. They immediately surrendered upon our gaining their forecastle, so that no loss was sustained on either side after boarding.

Our main-topmast was shot away between four and five minutes from the commencement of the firing, and falling, together with the main-topsail yard, across the larboard fore and fore-topsail braces, rendered our head-yards unmanageable the remainder of the action. At eight minutes the gaff and main-topgallant-mast came down, and at twenty minutes from the beginning of the action, every brace and most of the rigging was shot away. A few minutes after separating from the Frolic, both her masts fell upon deck, the main-mast going close by the deck, and the fore-mast twelve or fifteen feet above it.

The courage and exertions of the officers and crew fully answered my expectations and wishes. Lieutenant Biddle's active conduct contributed much to our success by the exact attention paid to every department during the engagement, and the animating example he afforded the crew by his intrepidity. Lieutenants Rodgers, Booth, and Mr. Rapp shewed, by the incessant fire from their divisions, that they were not to be surpassed in resolution or skill. Mr. Knight and every other officer acted with a courage and promptitude highly honourable, and, I trust, have given assurance that they may be relied on whenever their services may be required.

I could not ascertain the exact loss of the enemy, as many of the dead lay buried under the masts and spars that had fallen upon deck, which two hours exertion had not sufficiently removed. Mr. Biddle, who had charge of the Frolic, states that, from what he saw and from information from the officers, the number killed must have been about thirty, and that of the wounded about forty or fifty: of the killed is her first lieutenant and sailing master; of the wounded Captain Whinyates and the second lieutenant.

We had five killed and five wounded, as per list; the wounded are recovering. Lieutenant Claxton, who was confined by sickness, left his bed a little previous to the engagement, and though too weak to be at his division, remained upon deck, and shewed, by his composed manner of noting incidents, that we had lost, by his illness, the services of a brave officer.

I am, respectfully yours, etc., Jacob JONES.

No. 27. (p. 163) PLATE XXVIII.

October 25, 1812.

Stephanus Decatur navarchus, pugnis pluribus, victor. [Rx]. Occidit signum hostile sidera surgunt.

CAPTAIN STEPHEN DECATUR.

[Capture of the Macedonian.]

STEPHANUS DECATUR NAVARCHUS, PUGNIS PLURIBUS, VICTOR. (_Stephen Decatur, a naval captain, conqueror in many battles._) Bust of Captain Decatur, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

OCCIDIT SIGNUM HOSTILE SIDERA SURGUNT. (The enemy's standard falls, the stars arise.) Naval action between the United States frigate United States, of forty-four guns, Captain Decatur, and the British frigate Macedonian, of forty-nine guns, Captain Carden; the United States, to leeward, is firing her port broadside; the Macedonian has lost her mizzenmast, her fore and main-topmasts, and her mainyard. Exergue: INTER STA. UNI. NAV. AMERI. ET MACEDO. NAV. ANG. DIE XXV OCTOBRIS MDCCCXII. (Inter United States navem Americanam et Macedonian navem Anglicanam, die 25 Octobris, 1812: Between the American vessel United States and the English vessel Macedonian, October 25, 1812.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

STEPHEN DECATUR was born in Sinnepuxent, Worcester County, Maryland, January 5, 1779. He was appointed a midshipman, 1798; a lieutenant, 1799; served in the Mediterranean under Commodore Dale, 1801, and under Commodore Preble, 1803; and, while in command of the Intrepid, destroyed the Philadelphia, off Tripoli, February 15, 1804. For this gallant deed he was immediately promoted to the rank of captain. (p. 164) He commanded a division of gunboats under Preble in the subsequent attacks on Tripoli. On October 25, 1812, when in command of the frigate United States, he captured the British frigate Macedonian, Captain John Carden, for which action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. In January, 1815, he left New London as commodore, having his flag on the President, but was soon afterward captured by an English fleet. The same year he sailed for the Mediterranean in command of a squadron, and made treaties with Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli. On his return home he became a member of the Naval Board. He was shot in a duel by Commodore Barron, at Bladensburg, Maryland, March 22, 1820, and died the same evening.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.[79]

[Footnote 79: The resolution of Congress voting this medal is given under No. 25, page 154.]

Captain Decatur to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States ship United States, Paul HAMILTON, at Sea, October 30, 1812. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you, that on the 25th instant, being in the latitude 29°, N., longitude 29°, 30', W., we fell in with, and, after an action of an hour and a half, captured His Britannic Majesty's ship Macedonian, commanded by Captain John Carden, and mounting 49 carriage guns (the odd gun shifting). She is a frigate of the largest class, two years old, four months out of dock, and reputed one of the best sailors in the British service. The enemy being to windward, had the advantage of engaging us at his own distance, which was so great, that for the first half hour we did not use our carronades, and at no moment was he within the complete effect of our musketry or grape: to this circumstance and a heavy swell, which was on at the time, I ascribe the unusual length of the action.

The enthusiasm of every officer, seaman, and marine on board this ship, on discovering the enemy; their steady conduct in battle, and precision of their fire, could not be surpassed. Where all met my fullest expectations, it would be unjust for me to discriminate. Permit me, however, to recommend to your particular notice my first Lieutenant, William H. Allen. He has served with me upwards of five years, and to his unremitted exertions in disciplining the crew, is to be imputed the obvious superiority of our gunnery exhibited in the result of this contest.

Subjoined is a list of the killed and wounded on both sides. (p. 165) Our loss, compared with that of the enemy, will appear small. Amongst our wounded, you will observe the name of Lieutenant Funk, who died in a few hours after the action: he was an officer of great gallantry and promise, and the service has sustained a severe loss in his death.

The Macedonian lost her mizzen-mast, fore and main-top-masts and main yard, and was much cut up in her hull. The damage sustained by this ship was not such as to render her return into port necessary, and had I not deemed it important that we should see our prize in, should have continued our cruize.

With the highest consideration, I am, yours, etc., Stephen DECATUR.

Killed 5 Wounded 7--1 since dead. -- 12

MACEDONIAN.

Killed 36 Wounded 68 --- 104

No. 28. (p. 166) PLATE XXIX.

December 29, 1812.

Gulielmus Bainbridge patria victisque laudatus. [Rx]. Pugnando.

CAPTAIN WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE.

[Capture of the Java.]

GULIELMUS BAINBRIDGE PATRIA VICTISQUE LAUDATUS. (William Bainbridge praised by his country and by the vanquished foe.) Bust of Captain Bainbridge, in uniform, facing the right; underneath, a star. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

PUGNANDO. (In fighting.) The naval action is over. The British frigate Java, of forty-nine guns, Captain Lambert, is completely dismasted; while the United States frigate Constitution, of forty-four guns, Captain Bainbridge, is but slightly damaged in her rigging. Exergue: INTER CONST. NAV. AMERI. ET JAV. NAV. ANGL. DIE XXIX DECEM. MDCCCXII. (Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Java navem, Anglicanam, die 29 Decembris, 1812: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessel Java, December 29, 1812.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).

WILLIAM BAINBRIDGE was born in Princeton, New Jersey, May 7, 1774. He began life in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant in 1798, was master-commandant in 1799, and captain in 1800. With the frigate George Washington he went to Algiers, whence he conveyed an ambassador to Constantinople, the George Washington being the first American vessel ever seen there. He commanded the Philadelphia when she was lost off Tripoli, November 1, 1803. After his return to the United States he did not serve again afloat till 1812, when he obtained the command of the Constitution; and on December 29 of the same year he captured the British frigate Java, Captain Lambert, (p. 167) for which action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. After the war he commanded twice in the Mediterranean, and after 1821 served on shore, commanding different navy yards, and was president of the Naval Board. He died in Philadelphia, July 28, 1833.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Bainbridge, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to present to Captain William Bainbridge, of the frigate Constitution, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal,[80] with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of Captain Bainbridge, his officers, and crew, in the capture of the British frigate Java, after a brave and skillful combat.

[Footnote 80: The silver medals are copies of the one in gold given to Captain Bainbridge.]

Approved March 3, 1813.

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Captain Bainbridge to the Secretary of the Navy.

To THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, United States frigate Constitution, Washington, D. C. St. Salvador, January 3d, 1813.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you that on the 29th ultimo, at 2 P.M., in south latitude 13°, 06', and west longitude 39°, ten leagues distance from the coast of Brazils, I fell in with and captured His Britannic Majesty's frigate Java, of 49 guns, and upwards of 400 men, commanded by Captain Lambert, a very distinguished officer. The action lasted one hour and fifty-five minutes, in which time the enemy was completely dismasted, not having a spar of any kind standing. The loss on board the Constitution was 9 killed and 25 wounded, as per enclosed list. The enemy had 60 killed and 101 wounded, certainly (among the latter, Captain Lambert, mortally), but by the enclosed letter, written on board the ship (by one of the officers of the Java), and accidentally found, it is evident that the enemy's wounded must have been much greater than as above stated, and who must have died of their wounds previously to their being removed. The letter states 60 killed and 170 wounded.

For further details of the action, I beg leave to refer you (p. 168) to the enclosed extracts from my journal. The Java had in addition to her own crew upwards of one hundred supernumerary officers and seamen, to join the British ships-of-war in the East Indies: also Lieutenant-General Hyslop, appointed to the command of Bombay, Major Walker and Captain Wood, of his staff, and Captain Marshall, master and commander in the British navy, going to the East Indies to take command of a sloop-of-war there.

Should I attempt to do justice, by representation, to the brave and good conduct of all my officers and crew, during the action, I should fail in the attempt; therefore, suffice it to say, that the whole of their conduct was such as to merit my highest encomiums. I beg leave to recommend the officers particularly to the notice of government, as also the unfortunate seamen who were wounded, and the families of those men who fell in the action.

The great distance from our own coast, and the perfect wreck we made the enemy's frigate, forbid every idea of attempting to take her to the United States; and not considering it prudent to trust her in a port of Brazils, particularly St. Salvador, I had no alternative but burning her, which I did on the 31st ultimo, after receiving all the prisoners and their baggage, which was very tedious work, only having one boat left (out of eight) and not one left on board the Java.

On blowing up the frigate Java, I proceeded to this place, where I have landed all the prisoners on their parole, to return to England and there remain until regularly exchanged, and not serve in their professional capacities in any place or in any manner whatever, against the United States of America, until the exchange shall be effected.

I have the honour to be, &c., W. BAINBRIDGE.

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Extract from Captain Bainbridge's Journal, containing minutes of the action with the British frigate Java.

"Wednesday, December 30th, 1812 (nautical time) in latitude 13 degrees, 6 minutes South, and longitude 39 West, ten leagues from the coast of Brazil, commences with clear weather and moderate breezes from east north-east, hoisted our ensign and pendant. At 15 minutes past meridian, the ship hoisted her colours, an English ensign having a signal flying at her main, red, yellow and red. At 1.26 P.M. being sufficiently from the land, and finding the ship to be an English frigate, took in the main-sail and royals, tacked ship and stood for the enemy. At 1.50 P.M. the enemy bore down with the intention of raking us, which we avoided by wearing. At 2 P.M. the enemy being within half a mile of us, and to windward, and having hauled down his colours, except an Union Jack at the mizzen-mast head, induced me to give orders to the officers of the 3d division to fire one gun ahead of the enemy to make him show his colours, which being done, brought on a fire from us of the whole broadside, on which the enemy hoisted his colours and immediately returned our fire. A general action with round and grape then commenced, the enemy keeping at a (p. 169) much greater distance than I wished, but could not bring him to closer action without exposing ourselves to several rakes. Considerable manoeuvres were made by both vessels to rake and avoid being raked. The following minutes were taken during the action:

"At 2.10 P.M. commenced the action within good grape and canister distance, the enemy to windward, but much further than I wished. At 2.30 our wheel was shot entirely away; 2.40, determined to close with the enemy, notwithstanding his raking, set the fore and main-sail and luffed up close to him; 2.50, the enemy's jib-boom got foul of our mizzen rigging; 3, the head of the enemy's bowsprit and jib-boom shot away by us; 3.5, shot away the enemy's foremast by the board; 3.15, shot away his main-top-mast just above the cap; 3.40, shot away gaff and spanker boom; 3.55, shot away his mizzenmast nearly by the board; 4.5, having silenced the fire of the enemy completely, and his colours in main rigging being down, supposed he had struck, then hauled aboard the courses to shoot ahead to repair our rigging, which was extremely cut, leaving the enemy a complete wreck. Soon after discovered the enemy's flag was still flying; hove to, to repair some of our damage; 4.20, the enemy's main-mast went nearly by the board; 4.50, wore ship and stood for the enemy; 5.25, got very close to the enemy in a very effectual raking position, athwart his bows, and was at the very instant of raking him, when he most prudently struck his flag, for had he suffered the broadside to have raked him, his additional loss must have been extremely great, as he laid an unmanageable wreck upon the water.

"After the enemy had struck, wore ship and reefed the topsails, then hoisted out one of the only two remaining boats we had left out of eight, and sent Lieutenant Parker, 1st of the Constitution, to take possession of the enemy, which proved to be His Britannic Majesty's frigate Java, rated 38 but carried 49 guns, and manned with upwards of 400 men, commanded by Captain Lambert, a very distinguished officer, who was mortally wounded. The action continued, from the commencement to the end of the fire, one hour and fifty-five minutes. The Constitution had 9 killed and 25 wounded. The enemy had 60 killed and 101 certainly wounded, but by a letter written on board the Constitution, by one of the officers of the Java, and accidentally found, it is evident the enemy's wounded must have been considerably greater than as above stated, and who must have died of their wounds previously to their being removed. The letter states 60 killed and 170 wounded. The Java had her own complement of men complete, and upwards of one hundred supernumeraries, going to join the British ships-of-war in the East Indies; also several officers, passengers, going out on promotion. The force of the enemy in number of men, at the commencement of the action, was no doubt considerably greater than we have been able to ascertain, which is upwards of 400 men. The officers were extremely cautious in discovering the number. By her quarter bill she had one man more stationed at each gun than we had.

"The Constitution was very much cut in her sails and rigging, and many of her spars injured. At 7 P.M. the boat returned with Lieutenant Chads, the first lieutenant of the enemy's frigate, and Lieutenant-General Hyslop (appointed governor of Bombay), Major Walker and Captain Wood, belonging to his staff. Captain Lambert, of the Java, was too dangerously wounded to be (p. 170) removed immediately. The cutter returned on board the prize for the prisoners, and brought Captain Marshall, master and commander of the British navy, who was passenger on board, as also several other naval officers, destined for ships in the East Indies.

"The Java was an important ship, fitted out in the completest manner, to carry Lieutenant-General Hyslop and staff to Bombay, and several naval officers for different ships in the East Indies; and had despatches for St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, and every British establishment in the India and China seas. She had on board copper for a 74 and two brigs building at Bombay, and I expect a great many other valuables; but everything was blown up in her except the officers' baggage, when we set her on fire at 3 P.M., on the 1st of January, 1813 (nautical time)."

[Copy.]

H. D. Corneck to Lieutenant Wood.

Prisoner on board the American frigate Constitution. To LIEUTENANT PETER V. WOOD, 22d Regiment of Foot, St. Salvador, Brazils, January 1st, 1813. Isle of France or Bourbon, East Indies.

My dear Sir: I am sorry to inform you of the unpleasant news of Mr. Gascoigne's death. Mr. Gascoigne and myself were shipmates in Marlboro', and first came to sea together. He was shot in the early part of the action by a round shot in his right thigh, and died a few minutes after; four others of his messmates shared the same fate, together with 60 men killed and 170 wounded. The official account you no doubt heard of before this reaches you. I beg you will let all his friends and relations hear of his untimely fate. We were on board the Java frigate for a passage to India, when we fell in with this frigate. Two parcels I have sent you under good care. Hope this will reach you safe.

Yours truly, H. D. CORNECK.

[A true copy.] William BAINBRIDGE.

No. 29. (p. 171) PLATE XXX.

September 4, 1813.

Edward [Rx]. McCall navis Enterprise præfectus. Sic itur ad astra. [Rx]. Vivere sat vincere.

LIEUTENANT EDWARD RUTLEDGE McCALL.

[Capture of the Boxer.]

EDWARD R. (Rutledge) McCALL NAVIS ENTERPRISE (sic) PRÆFECTUS. SIC ITUR AD ASTRA.[81] (Edward Rutledge McCall, Commander of the vessel Enterprize. Thus one attains glory.) Bust of Lieutenant McCall, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 81: Virgil, Æneid, Book IX, 641.]

VIVERE SAT VINCERE. (To conquer is to live enough.) Naval engagement between the United States brig-of-war Enterprize, of fourteen guns, Lieutenant-Commander Burrows, and the British brig-of-war Boxer, of fourteen guns, Captain Blythe. The Enterprize is raking the Boxer, fore and aft. The latter has lost her main-topmast. Exergue: INTER ENTERPRIZE NAV. AMERI. ET BOXER NAV. BRIT.[82] DIE IV SEPT. MDCCCXIII. (Inter Enterprize navem Americanam et Boxer navem Britannicam, die 4 Septembris, 1813: Between the American vessel Enterprize and the British vessel Boxer, September 4, 1813.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 82: It is singular that on some of the silver coins of Great Britain the abbreviation BRIT. (Britanniarum) is spelled with one t, and on some of the copper coins, with two t's, thus, BRITT.]

EDWARD RUTLEDGE MCCALL was born in Charleston, South Carolina, August 5, 1790. He entered the navy in January, 1808. In 1813 he was first lieutenant of the Enterprize, under Lieutenant Burrows, in the action with the Boxer, took the command after that officer fell, and captured the British vessel, for which gallant deed Congress gave him a (p. 172) vote of thanks and a gold medal. He afterward served in the Mediterranean under Commodore Perry, was promoted to the rank of master-commandant in 1825, and to that of captain in 1835. He died in Bordentown, New Jersey, July 31, 1853.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Lieutenants McCall, Burrows, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant William Burrows, and to Lieutenant Edward R. McCall, of the brig Enterprize, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices; and a silver medal,[83] with like emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers of the aforesaid vessel, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew in the conflict with the British sloop Boxer, on the fourth of September, in the year 1813. And the President is also requested to communicate to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of that valuable officer, who died in the arms of victory, nobly contending for his country's rights and fame.

[Footnote 83: The silver medals are copies of the one in gold given to Lieutenant McCall.]

Approved January 6, 1814.

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Captain Hull to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States Navy Yard, Portsmouth, William JONES, September 14th, 1813. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to forward to you, by the mail, the flags of the late British brig Boxer, which were nailed to her mast-heads at the time she engaged, and was captured by, the United States brig Enterprize.

Great as the pleasure is that I derive from performing this part of my duty, I need not tell you how different my feelings would have been, could the gallant Burrows have had this honour.

He went into action most gallantly, and the difference of injury done the two vessels proves how nobly he fought.

I have the honour to be, &c., Isaac HULL.

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Lieutenant McCall to Captain Hull. (p. 173)

To United States Brig Enterprize, Isaac HULL, Esq., Portland, September 7th, 1813. United States Navy Yard, Portsmouth.

Sir: In consequence of the unfortunate death of Lieutenant-Commander William Burrows, late commander of this vessel, it devolves on me to acquaint you with the result of our cruize. After sailing from Portsmouth on the 1st instant, we steered to the eastward, and on the morning of the 3d, off Wood Island, discovered a schooner, which we chased into this harbour, where we anchored. On the morning of the 4th weighed anchor and swept out, and continued our cruize to the eastward. Having received information of several privateers being off Manhagan, we stood for that place; and on the following morning, in the bay near Penguin Point, discovered a brig getting under weigh, which appeared to be a vessel of war, and to which we immediately gave chase. She fired several guns and stood for us, having four ensigns hoisted. After reconnoitering and discovering her force, and the nation to which she belonged, we hauled upon a wind to stand out of the bay, and at 3 o'clock shortened sail, tacked and ran down with an intention to bring her to close action. At 20 minutes after 3 P.M., when within half pistol shot, the firing commenced from both, and after being warmly kept up, and with some manoeuvering, the enemy hailed and said they had surrendered, about 4 P.M. Their colours being nailed to the masts, could not be hauled down. She proved to be His Britannic Majesty's brig Boxer, of 14 guns, Samuel Blythe, Esquire, commander, who fell in the early part of the engagement, having received a cannon shot through the body. And I am sorry to add that Lieutenant Burrows, who had gallantly led us to action, fell also about the same time by a musket ball, which terminated his existence in eight hours.

The Enterprize suffered much in spars and rigging, and the Boxer both in spars, rigging and hull, having many shots between wind and water. It would be doing injustice to the merit of Mr. Tillinghast, 2d lieutenant, were I not to mention the able assistance I received from him during the remainder of the engagement, by his strict attention to his own division and other departments. And the officers and crew, generally, I am happy to add, from their cool and determined conduct, have my warmest approbation and applause.

As no muster roll that can be fully relied on came into my possession, I cannot exactly state the number killed on board the Boxer; but from information received from the officers of that vessel, it appears that there are between twenty and twenty-five killed, and fourteen wounded. Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded on board the Enterprize.

I have the honour to be, &c., Edward R. M'CALL, Senior Officer.

Killed 1, Wounded 13; of whom Lieutenant Burrows, Commander, Midshipman Kervan Waters, and carpenter's mate Elisha Blossom, have since died.

No. 30. (p. 174) PLATE XXXI.

September 4, 1813.

Victoriam tibi claram. patriæ mæstam. [Rx]. Vivere sat vincere.

LIEUTENANT WILLIAM BURROWS.

[Capture of the Boxer.]

VICTORIAM TIBI CLARAM. PATRIÆ MÆSTAM (sic). (A victory brilliant for thee, sorrowful for thy country). A funeral urn upon a tomb is surrounded with naval emblems; a crown of laurel is hanging from a trident, and in a cartoon of elliptical form: W. (William) BURROWS. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

VIVERE SAT VINCERE. (To conquer is to live enough.) Naval engagement between the United States brig-of-war Enterprize, of fourteen guns, Lieutenant-Commander Burrows, and the British brig-of-war Boxer, of fourteen guns, Captain Blythe. The Enterprize is raking the Boxer, fore and aft. The latter has lost her main-topmast. Exergue: INTER ENTERPRIZE NAV. AMERI. ET BOXER NAV. BRIT. DIE IV SEPT. MDCCCXIII. (Inter Enterprize navem Americanam et Boxer navem Britannicam, die 4 Septembris, 1813: Between the American vessel Enterprize and the British vessel Boxer, September 4, 1813.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).[84]

[Footnote 84: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the capture of the Boxer, are given under No. 29, page 171.]

WILLIAM BURROWS was born in Kenderton, near Philadelphia, October 6, 1785. He entered the navy as midshipman, January 4, 1800; served in the Constitution under Commodore Preble in the campaign against Tripoli; returned to America about 1807 as lieutenant, and served in different vessels on various stations. In the summer of 1813, he obtained the command of the sloop-of-war Enterprize, with which, (p. 175) on September 5, he engaged the British sloop-of-war Boxer, Captain Blythe, but was killed in the beginning of the action, as was also the commander of the enemy's vessel, and they were both buried with military honors at Portland, Maine. Congress, by joint resolution, approved January 6, 1814, requested the President of the United States to present to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Burrows a gold medal, and to communicate to him the deep regret they felt at this officer's loss.

No. 31. (p. 176) PLATE XXXII.

September 10, 1813.

Oliverus H. Perry, princeps stagno Eriense. classim totam contudit. [Rx]. Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

CAPTAIN OLIVER HAZARD PERRY.

[Victory of Lake Erie.]

OLIVERUS H. (Hazard) PERRY. PRINCEPS STAGNO ERIENSE. CLASSIM TOTAM CONTUDIT. (Oliver Hazard Perry, commander-in-chief, destroyed on Lake Erie an entire fleet.) Bust of Captain Perry, in uniform, facing the right.

VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT. (Valor finds or makes a way.) The United States fleet on Lake Erie, carrying fifty-four guns, and commanded by Captain Perry, stands out to meet the British fleet with sixty-three guns, under Captain Barclay. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII. (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).

OLIVER HAZARD PERRY was born in South Kingston, Rhode Island, August 23, 1785. He entered the navy as a midshipman, April 7, 1799, on the sloop-of-war General Greene, then commanded by his father, Captain Christopher Raymond Perry. He served in the Mediterranean during the Tripolitan war, was made lieutenant in 1807, and master-commandant in 1812, when he received a division of gunboats at Newport, Rhode Island. In February, 1813, he was transferred to the command on Lake Erie, where, on September 10, he defeated and captured the entire British squadron under Captain Barclay. For this important victory he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal, and was promoted to the rank of captain, and as such commanded the Java in the (p. 177) Mediterranean for several years. In March, 1819, he set out with a squadron for the coast of South America, and died of yellow fever at Port Spain, Trinidad, August 23, 1819. The remains of Commodore Perry were transferred, in 1827, by order of the Government, in the United States ship Lexington, to Newport, Rhode Island. His battle-flag on Lake Erie, with the motto "Don't give up the ship!" is preserved in the Naval Academy, at Annapolis.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Perry, Elliott, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Captain Oliver Hazard Perry, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and glorious victory gained on Lake Erie, on the tenth of September, in the year 1813, over a British squadron of superior force.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Perry and Captain Jesse D. Elliott, in such manner as will be most honourable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal,[85] with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers, either of the navy or army, serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters who so nobly distinguished themselves on that memorable day.

[Footnote 85: The silver medals are copies of the ones in gold given to the captains of the respective ships.]

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant John Brooks, of the marines, and a sword to the nearest male relatives of Midshipmen Henry Lamb, and Thomas Claxton, jr., and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country, and whose conduct ought to be regarded as an example to future generations.

Resolved, That three months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all the petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as such, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag, under the orders of their gallant commander, on that signal occasion.

Approved January 6, 1814.

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Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the (p. 178) United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present a sword to the nearest male relation of Midshipman John Clarke, who was slain gallantly combating the enemy in the glorious battle gained on Lake Erie, under the command of Captain Perry, and to communicate to him the deep regret which Congress feels for the loss of that brave officer.

Approved February 19, 1814.

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Captain O. H. Perry to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable U.S. brig Niagara, off the Western Sisters, William JONES, Head of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813, 4 P.M. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: It has pleased the Almighty to give to the arms of the United States a signal victory over their enemies on this lake. The British squadron, consisting of two ships, two brigs, one schooner, and one sloop, have this moment surrendered to the force under my command, after a sharp conflict.

I have the honour to be, etc., O. H. PERRY.

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Captain O. H. Perry to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States schooner Ariel, William JONES, Put-in-Bay, Sept. 13, 1813. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: In my last I informed you that we had captured the enemy's fleet on this lake. I have now the honour to give you the most important particulars of the action. On the morning of the 10th instant, at sunrise, they were discovered from Put-in-Bay, where I lay at anchor with the squadron under my command. We got under weigh, the wind light at south-west, and stood for them. At 10 A.M. the wind hauled to south-east and brought us to windward; formed the line and bore up. At 15 minutes before 12, the enemy commenced firing; at five minutes before 12, the action commenced on our part. Finding their fire very destructive, owing to their long guns, and its being mostly directed at the Lawrence, I made sail, and directed the other vessels to follow, for the purpose of closing with the enemy. Every brace and bow line being soon shot away, she became unmanageable, notwithstanding the great exertions of the sailing master. In this situation, she sustained the action upwards of two hours within canister distance, until every gun was rendered useless, and the greater part of her crew either killed or wounded. Finding she could no longer annoy (p. 179) the enemy, I left her in charge of Lieutenant Yarnall, who, I was convinced, from the bravery already displayed by him, would do what would comport with the honour of the flag. At half-past two, the wind springing up Captain Elliot was enabled to bring his vessel, the Niagara, gallantly into close action. I immediately went on board of her, when he anticipated my wish by volunteering to bring the schooner which had been kept astern by the lightness of the wind into close action. It was with unspeakable pain that I saw, soon after I got on board the Niagara, the flag of the Lawrence come down, although I was perfectly sensible that she had been defended to the last, and that to have continued to make a show of resistance would have been a wanton sacrifice of the remains of her brave crew. But the enemy was not able to take possession of her, and circumstances soon permitted her flag again to be hoisted. At 45 minutes past 2 the signal was made for "close action." The Niagara being very little injured, I determined to pass through the enemy's line, bore up and passed ahead of their two ships and a brig, giving a raking fire to them from the starboard guns, and to a large schooner and sloop, from the larboard side, at half pistol shot distance. The smaller vessels at this time having got within grape and canister distance, under the direction of Captain Elliot, and keeping up a well directed fire, the two ships, a brig and a schooner surrendered, a schooner and sloop making a vain attempt to escape.

Those officers and men who were immediately under my observation, evinced the greatest gallantry, and I have no doubt that all others conducted themselves as became American officers and seamen. Lieutenant Yarnall, first of the Lawrence, although several times wounded, refused to quit the deck. Midshipman Forrest (doing duty as lieutenant), and sailing-master Taylor, were of great assistance to me. I have great pain in stating to you the death of Lieutenant Brooks, of the marines, and midshipman Lamb, both of the Lawrence, and midshipman John Clarke, of the Scorpion; they were valuable and promising officers. Mr. Hambleton, purser, who volunteered his services on deck, was severely wounded late in the action. Midshipman Claxton and Swartout, of the Lawrence, were severely wounded. On board the Niagara, Lieutenants Smith and Edwards, and midshipman Webster (doing duty as sailing-master) behaved in a very handsome manner. Captain Brevoort, of the army, who acted as a volunteer in the capacity of a marine officer, on board that vessel, is an excellent and brave officer, and with his musketry did great execution. Lieutenant Turner, commanding the Caledonia, brought that vessel into action in the most able manner, and is an officer that, in all situations, may be relied on. The Ariel, Lieutenant Parker, and Scorpion, sailing-master Champlin, were enabled to get early into action, and were of great service. Captain Elliot speaks in the highest terms of Mr. Magrath, purser, who had been despatched in a boat on service, previous to my getting on board the Niagara, and, being a seaman, since the action has rendered essential service in taking charge of one of the prizes. Of Captain Elliot, already so well known to the government, it would be almost superfluous to speak; in this action, he evinced his characteristic bravery and judgment; and, since the close of the action, has given me the most able and essential assistance.

I have the honour to enclose you a return of the killed and (p. 180) wounded, together with a statement of the relative force of the squadrons. The captain and first lieutenant of the Queen Charlotte, and first lieutenant of the Detroit, were killed. Captain Barclay, senior officer, and the commander of the Lady Prevost, severely wounded. Their loss in killed and wounded I have not yet been able to ascertain; it must, however, have been very great.

Very respectfully, &c., O. H. PERRY.

Statement of the force of the British squadron.

Ship Detroit 19 guns: 1 on pivot and 2 howitzers. Queen Charlotte 17 " 1 " Schooner Lady Prevost 13 " 1 " Brig Hunter 10 " Sloop Little Belt 3 " Schooner Chippeway 1 " 2 swivels. -- 63 guns.

NOTE: The Detroit is a new ship, very strongly built, and mounts long twenty-fours, eighteens and twelves.

Statement of the force of the United States squadron.

Brig Lawrence 20 guns. " Niagara 20 " " Caledonia 3 " Schooner Ariel 4 " (1 burst early in action.) " Scorpion 2 " " Somers 2 " and 2 swivels. Sloop Trippe 1 " Schooner Tigress 1 " " Porcupine 1 " -- 54 guns.

The exact number of the enemy's force has not been ascertained, but I have good reason to believe that it exceeded ours by nearly 100 men.

S. HAMBLETON, Purser. O. H. PERRY, Captain and senior officer.

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The Secretary of the Navy to George Harrison.

To George HARRISON, Esq., Navy Department, Navy Agent, Philadelphia. July 4th, 1814.

Sir: In order to have made the swords and medals contemplated by the inclosed resolutions of Congress, I have to request that you will engage artists for that purpose whose abilities and (p. 181) taste will insure their being executed in the best manner. You will perceive by the resolution that the device for the medal for Captains Perry and Elliott must be emblematical of the action on Lake Erie; and, it appears to me, that representations of the several engagements are the most suitable devices for the others. The best representations of those engagements yet engraved may be seen, I understand, in the Academy of Arts at Philadelphia, where the artists and amateurs might readily determine on the devices. The number of dies for the medals will be as follows, viz.:

Capture of the Guerrière by the Constitution 1 " " Macedonian by the United States 1 " " Frolic by the Wasp 1 " " Java by the Constitution 1 " " Peacock by the Hornet 1 " " Boxer by the Enterprize 1 Victory on Lake Erie 1 -- Dies 7

The reverse of the medals will be properly appropriated to the respective portraits of the several commanders, which, I believe, have all been published. These, however, ought to be correct likenesses. Of the number of medals of each kind to be struck, you will be informed in due time.

As it will scarcely be possible to represent distinctly the deeply interesting scenes of the memorable victory of Erie on one face of the medal, it may be well to omit the portrait of Commodore Perry, and divide the representation of the action into two prominent and distinct parts which mark the crisis of the battle, in the first terminating with the abandonment of the Lawrence, and the passage of the hero in his gig, with his flag, from that ship to the Niagara. Second, the bringing up of the gunboats and small vessels by Captain Elliott, and the subsequent breaking through the enemy's line and capture of his whole fleet. Thus the entire action may be distinctly and beautifully represented.

Herewith you will receive one of the medals struck for Commodore Preble, which is tolerably well executed and of good size. The emblematical figures ought to be bold and distinct, rather than minutely delineated, which renders the effect less striking and enhances the labour and cost. With respect to the cost it must be regulated by a due attention to the views of the Legislature and to economy without parsimony.

The number is considerable, and will require all the artists who are qualified for the execution.

It is very desirable to have them completed as soon as possible, and particularly before the next meeting of Congress. If the number of artists in Philadelphia shall not be sufficient, you will employ those of New York or elsewhere. I submit this business to your care with confidence and pleasure, because I know that your own discriminating tastes and judgment in these matters will be combined with your admiration of the men, and the scenes to be commemorated, in producing the best and most speedy execution.

The sword for Captain Elliott will be an elegant dress sword; (p. 182) a cut and thrust, with belt, &c., such in form as is prescribed for a dress sword of a captain in the navy, but decorated with devices and inscriptions suitable to the occasion, and finished in the best style the sum of $800 will procure. The swords of the warrant officers, twelve in number, will be of the same form and with proper belts, &c., will be finished in the best style that $250 each will procure. These you will please have finished as soon as possible.

The medals should be finished in succession according to the order of the dates of the events, unless the whole can be put in hand at once, which is very desirable.

I am respectfully, Sir, your most obedient servant, W. JONES, Secretary of the Navy.

No. 32. (p. 183) PLATE XXXIII.

September 10, 1813.

Jesse D. Elliott. Nil actum reputans si quid superesset agendum. [Rx]. Viam invenit virtus aut facit.

CAPTAIN JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT.

[Victory of Lake Erie.]

JESSE D. (Duncan) ELLIOTT. NIL ACTUM REPUTANS SI QUID SUPERESSET AGENDUM.[86] (Jesse Duncan Elliott. Considering nothing done, if aught remained to be done.) Bust of Captain Elliott, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 86: Nil actum credens quum quid superesset agendum. Lucan, Pharsalia, Book II, 657.]

VIAM INVENIT VIRTUS AUT FACIT. (Valor finds or makes a way.) The United States fleet on Lake Erie, carrying fifty-four guns, and commanded by Captain Perry, stands out to meet the British fleet with sixty-three guns, under Captain Barclay. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE X. SEP. MDCCCXIII. (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 10 Septembris, 1813: Between the American and British fleets, September 10, 1813.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).[87]

[Footnote 87: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the action on Lake Erie, are given under No. 31, page 176.]

JESSE DUNCAN ELLIOTT was born in Maryland, July 14, 1782. He was appointed midshipman in 1804; was promoted to be lieutenant in 1810; served under Commodore Chauncey on the lakes in 1812; and on October 8, commanding an expedition, he cut out two British ships from under Fort Erie. For this daring act Congress voted him a sword of honor. He was master-commandant in July, 1813; and second in command in (p. 184) Perry's victory on Lake Erie, for which he received from Congress a vote of thanks and a gold medal. On Perry's departure in October, 1815, he succeeded him in command. He became captain in 1818; and afterward commanded the Mediterranean squadron, and the navy yards of Boston and of Philadelphia. He died in Philadelphia, December 10, 1845.

No. 33. (p. 185) PLATE XXXIV.

February 24, 1813.

Jac Lawrence dulce et decorum est pro patria mori. [Rx]. Mansuetud. maj. quam victoria.

CAPTAIN JAMES LAWRENCE.

[Capture of the Peacock.]

JAC. (Jacobus) LAWRENCE DULCE ET DECORUM EST PRO PATRIA MORI[88] (James Lawrence. It is sweet and becoming to die for one's country.) Bust of Captain Lawrence in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 88: Horace, Book II, Ode II, 13.]

MANSUETUD. MAJ. QUAM VICTORIA. (Mansuetudo major quam victoria: Clemency greater than victory.) The action is over. The United States sloop-of-war Hornet, of twenty guns, Captain Lawrence, is lying to and sending her boats to the rescue of the crew of the British brig-of-war Peacock, of twenty-two guns, Captain Peake, which has lost her mainmast, and is going down head foremost. Exergue: INTER HORNET NAV AMERI ET PEACOCK NAV ANG DIE XXIV FEB MDCCCXIII. (Inter Hornet, navem Americanam, et Peacock, navem Anglicanam, die 24 Februarii, 1813: Between the American vessel Hornet and the English vessel Peacock, February 24, 1813.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

JAMES LAWRENCE was born in Burlington, New Jersey, October 1, 1781. He was appointed a midshipman in 1798, and became a lieutenant in 1802; served against Tripoli, 1802-1804, and was second in command under Decatur, in the Intrepid, when the Philadelphia was destroyed off (p. 186) Tripoli. In 1810 he became master-commandant, and on February 24, 1813, with the Hornet, captured the British brig-of-war Peacock, Captain William Peake. For this action, Congress awarded him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. As captain he commanded the Chesapeake in 1813 and fell, mortally wounded, in the engagement with the British ship Shannon, Captain Broke. His last words, when carried below, were, "Don't give up the ship!" He died four days after the combat, on June 5, 1813, and was buried with military honors at Halifax, Nova Scotia. His remains were afterward taken to the United States, and now lie in Trinity church-yard, New York city.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Lawrence, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present to the nearest male relative of Captain James Lawrence, a gold medal, and a silver medal[89] to each of the commissioned officers who served under him in the sloop-of-war Hornet, in her conflict with the British vessel-of-war, the Peacock, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew in the capture of that vessel; and the President is also requested to communicate to the nearest male relative of Captain Lawrence the sense which Congress entertains of the loss which the naval service of the United States has since sustained in the death of that distinguished officer.

[Footnote 89: The silver medals are copies of the one in gold given to Captain Lawrence.]

Approved January 11, 1814.

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Captain Lawrence to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States ship Hornet, William JONES, Holmes' Hole, March 19th, 1813. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you of the arrival, at this port, of the United States ship Hornet, under my command, from a cruise of 145 days, and to state to you, that after Commodore Bainbridge left the coast of Brazils, (on the 6th of January last,) the Hornet continued off the harbour of St. Salvador, blockading the Bonne Citoyenne until the 24th, when the Montagu 74 hove in sight, and chased me into the harbour; but night (p. 187) coming on, I wore and stood to the southward. Knowing that she had left Rio Janeiro for the express purpose of relieving the Bonne Citoyenne and the packet, (which I had also blockaded for fourteen days, and obliged her to send her mail to Rio in a Portuguese smack,) I judged it most prudent to change my cruising ground, and stood to the eastward, with the view of cruising off Pernambuco; and on the 4th day of February, captured the English brig Resolution, from Rio Janeiro, bound to Maranham, with coffee, jerked beef, flour, fustic and butter, and about 25,000 dollars in specie. As the brig sailed dull, and could ill spare hands to man her, I took out the money and set her on fire. I then ran down the coast for Maranham, and cruised there for a short time; from thence ran off Surinam. After cruising off that coast from the 5th to the 22d of February, without meeting a vessel, I stood for Demarara, with an intention, should I not be fortunate on that station, to run through the West Indies, on my way to the United States. But on the morning of the 24th, I discovered a brig to leeward, to which I gave chase; ran into quarter less four, and not having a pilot, was obliged to haul off; the fort at the entrance of Demarara river at this time bearing south west, distance about 2-1/2 leagues. Previously to giving up the chase, I discovered a vessel at anchor without the bar, with English colours flying, apparently a brig of war. In beating round Corobano bank, in order to get at her, at half past 3 P.M. I discovered another sail on my weather quarter edging down for us. At 4.20 minutes she hoisted English colours, at which time we discovered her to be a large man-of-war brig; beat to quarters, and cleared ship for action; kept close by the wind, in order, if possible, to get to the weather gage. At 5.10 minutes, finding I could weather the enemy, I hoisted American colours, and tacked. At 5.20 minutes, in passing each other, exchanged broadsides within half pistol shot. Observing the enemy in the act of wearing, I bore up, received his starboard broadside, ran him close on board on the starboard quarter, and kept up such a heavy and well directed fire, that in less than fifteen minutes he surrendered, being literally cut to pieces, and hoisted an ensign, union down, from his fore-rigging, as a signal of distress. Shortly after, his main-mast went by the board; dispatched Lieutenant Shubrick on board, who soon returned with her first lieutenant, who reported her to be His Britannic Majesty's late brig Peacock, commanded by Captain William Peake, who fell in the latter part of the action; that a number of her crew were killed and wounded, and that she was sinking fast, having then six feet of water in her hold; dispatched the boats immediately for the wounded, and brought both vessels to anchor. Such shot-holes as could be got at were then plugged, her guns thrown overboard, and every possible exertion used to keep her afloat, until the prisoners could be removed, by pumping and bailing, but without effect, and she unfortunately sunk in five and a half fathoms water, carrying down thirteen of her crew and three of my brave fellows, viz.: John Hart, Joseph Williams, and Hannibal Boyd. Lieutenant Conner, Midshipman Cooper, and the remainder of the Hornet's crew, employed in removing the prisoners, with difficulty saved themselves by jumping in a boat that was lying on her bows as she went down. Four men, of the thirteen mentioned, were so fortunate as to gain the fore-top, and were afterwards taken off by the boats. Previous to her going down, four of her men took to her stern boat, which had been much damaged during the action, which I hope reached the shore (p. 188) in safety; but from the heavy sea running at the time, the shattered state of the boat, and the difficulty of landing on the coast, I much fear they were lost. I have not been able to ascertain from her officers the exact number killed. Captain Peake and four men were found dead on board. The master, one midshipman, carpenter, and captain's clerk, and twenty-nine seamen were wounded, most of them very severely; three of them died of their wounds after being removed, and nine drowned. Our loss was trifling in comparison. John Place, killed; Samuel Coulson and Joseph Dalrymple, slightly wounded; George Coffin and Lewis Todd, severely burnt by the explosion of a cartridge. Todd survived only a few days. Our rigging and sails were much cut; one shot through the foremast, and the bowsprit slightly injured. Our hull received little or no damage. At the time the Peacock was brought to action, the L'Espiègle (the brig mentioned above as being at anchor), mounting sixteen two-and-thirty pound carronades, and two long nines, lay at about six miles in shore, and could plainly see the whole of the action. Apprehensive that she would beat out to the assistance of her consort, such exertions were made by my officers and crew in repairing damages, &c., that by 9 o'clock the boats were stowed, a new set of sails bent, and the ship completely ready for action. At 2 A.M. got under weigh, and stood by the wind to the northward and westward, under easy sail.

On mustering next morning, found we had 277 souls on board, including the crew of the American brig Hunter, of Portland, taken a few days before by the Peacock. And, as we had been on two-thirds allowance of provisions for some time, and had but 3,400 gallons of water on board, I reduced the allowance to three pints a man, and determined to make the best of my way to the United States.

The Peacock was deservedly styled one of the finest vessels of her class in the British navy, probably about the tonnage of the Hornet. Her beam was greater by five inches, but her extreme length not so great by four feet. She mounted sixteen twenty-four pound carronades, two long nines, one twelve-pound carronade on her topgallant-forecastle, as a shifting gun, and one four or six-pounder, and two swivels mounted aft. I find, by her quarter-bill, that her crew consisted of 134 men, four of whom were absent in a prize.

The cool and determined conduct of my officers and crew during the action, and their almost unexampled exertions afterwards, entitled them to my warmest acknowledgments, and I beg leave most earnestly to recommend them to the notice of government.

By the indisposition of Lieutenant Stewart I was deprived of the services of an excellent officer; had he been able to stand the deck I am confident his exertions would not have been surpassed by any one on board. I should be doing injustice to the merits of Lieutenant Shubrick, and of acting-lieutenants Conner and Newton, were I not to recommend them particularly to your notice. Lieutenant Shubrick was in the actions with the Guerrière and Java. Captain Hull and Commodore Bainbridge can bear testimony to his coolness and good conduct on both occasions.

With the greatest respect, I remain, &c., James LAWRENCE.

P.S. At the commencement of the action my sailing master and seven men were absent in a prize, and Lieutenant Stewart and six men on the sick list.

No. 34. (p. 189) PLATE XXXV.

September 11, 1814.

Tho. Macdonough. Stagno Champlain clas. Reg. Brit superavit. [Rx]. Uno latere percusso. alterum impavide vertit.

CAPTAIN THOMAS MACDONOUGH.

[Victory of Lake Champlain.]

THO. MACDONOUGH. STAGNO CHAMPLAIN CLAS. REG. BRIT. SUPERAVIT. (_Thomas Macdonough Stagno Champlain classim Regis Britannia superavit: Thomas Macdonough defeated the Royal British fleet on Lake Champlain._) Bust of Captain Macdonough, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

UNO LATERE PERCUSSO. ALTERUM IMPAVIDE VERTIT. (Beaten on one side, he fearlessly turns the other.) Naval action on Lake Champlain, between the United States fleet, carrying eighty-six guns, under Captain Macdonough, and the British fleet, with ninety-five guns, commanded by Commodore Downie. To the right, the city of Plattsburgh in flames. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE XI SEPT. MDCCCXIIII. (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 11 Septembris, 1814: Between the American and British fleets, September 11, 1814.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

THOMAS MACDONOUGH was born in Newcastle County, Delaware, December 23, 1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800; served in the Tripolitan campaign, and was with Decatur in the Intrepid, when the latter blew up the Philadelphia. He was made a lieutenant in February, 1807, and a master-commandant in July, 1813. He defeated the British squadron, commanded by Commodore George Downie, on Lake Champlain, September 11, 1814, for which victory he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal, and was promoted to the rank of (p. 190) captain. He commanded the Mediterranean squadron for several years, and died at sea, November 18, 1825, of consumption, on his homeward voyage to the United States.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Captains Macdonough and Henley, Lieutenant Cassin, etc._

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and the same are hereby, presented to Captain Thomas Macdonough, and through him to the officers, petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as marines, attached to the squadron under his command, for the decisive and splendid victory gained on Lake Champlain, on the eleventh of September, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, over a British squadron of superior force.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblematical of the action between the two squadrons, and to present them to Captain Macdonough and Captain Robert Henley, and also to Lieutenant Stephen Cassin, in such a manner as may be most honourable to them; and that the President be further requested to present a silver medal,[90] with suitable emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers of the navy and army serving on board, and a sword to each of the midshipmen and sailing-masters, who so nobly distinguished themselves in that memorable conflict.

[Footnote 90: The silver medals are copies of the one in gold given to Captain Macdonough.]

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present a silver medal, with like emblems and devices, to the nearest male relative of Lieutenant Peter Gamble, and of Lieutenant John Stansbury, and to communicate to them the deep regret which Congress feel for the loss of those gallant men, whose names ought to live in the recollection and affection of a grateful country.

Resolved, That three months' pay be allowed, exclusively of the common allowance, to all petty officers, seamen, marines, and infantry serving as marines, who so gloriously supported the honour of the American flag on that memorable day.

Approved October 20, 1814.

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Resolution of Congress Complimentary to Lieutenant Silas Duncan.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled: That the provisions of the joint resolutions of Congress passed October twentieth, eighteen hundred and fourteen, entitled "Resolution expressive of the sense of Congress of the gallant conduct of Captain Thomas Macdonough, the officers, seamen and marines, and infantry (p. 191) serving as marines on board of the United States squadron on Lake Champlain," be so construed and extended as to include the names of Silas Duncan, a lieutenant in the Navy of the United States, in testimony of the sense which is entertained by both houses of Congress of the distinguished gallantry and good conduct of the said Lieutenant Duncan, in an action with the enemy's forces on the sixth of September, eighteen hundred and fourteen, on the same lake.

Approved May 13th, 1826.

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Captain Macdonough to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honorable United States Ship Saratoga, William JONES, Off Plattsburgh, September 11th, 1814. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The Almighty has been pleased to grant us a signal victory on Lake Champlain, in the capture of one frigate, one brig, and two sloops-of-war of the enemy.

I have the honor to be, &c. T. MACDONOUGH.

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Captain Macdonough to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honorable Ship Saratoga, William JONES, Plattsburgh Bay, September 13th, 1814. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to give you the particulars of the action which took place on the 11th instant, on this lake.

For several days the enemy were on their way to Plattsburgh by land and water, and it being well understood that an attack would be made at the same time by their land and naval forces, I determined to await, at anchor, the approach of the latter.

At 8 A.M. the look-out boat announced the approach of the enemy. At 9, he anchored in a line ahead, at about 300 yards distance from my line; his ship was opposed to the Saratoga, his brig to the Eagle, Captain Robert Henley, his gallies, thirteen in number, to the schooner, the sloop, and a division of our gallies, one of his sloops assisting their ship and brig, the other assisting their gallies. Our remaining gallies, with the Saratoga and Eagle.

In this situation, the whole force on both sides became engaged, the Saratoga suffering much, from the heavy fire of the Confiance. I could perceive at the same time, however, that our fire was very destructive to her. The Ticonderoga, Lieutenant Commandant Cassin, gallantly sustained her full share of the action. At half-past 10 o'clock, the Eagle not being able to bring her guns to bear, cut her cable, and anchored in a more (p. 192) eligible position, between my ship and the Ticonderoga, where she very much annoyed the enemy, but unfortunately, leaving me exposed to a galling fire from the enemy's brig. Our guns on the starboard side being nearly all dismounted, or not manageable, a stern anchor was let go, the bower cut, and the ship winded with a fresh broadside on the enemy's ship, which soon after surrendered. Our broadside was then sprung to bear on the brig, which surrendered in about 15 minutes after.

The sloop that was opposed to the Eagle had struck some time before, and drifted down the line; the sloop which was with their gallies having struck also. Three of their gallies are said to be sunk, the others pulled off. Our gallies were about obeying with alacrity the signal to follow them, when all the vessels were reported to me to be in a sinking state. It then became necessary to annul the signal to the gallies, and order their men to the pumps. I could only look at the enemy's gallies going off in a shattered condition, for there was not a mast in either squadron that could stand to make sail on; the lower rigging being nearly shot away, hung down as though it had been just placed over mast heads.

The Saratoga had 55 round shot in her hull, the Confiance 105. The enemy's shot passed principally just over our heads, as there were not 20 whole hammocks in the nettings after the close of the action, which lasted, without intermission, two hours and twenty minutes.

The absence and sickness of Lieutenant Raymond Perry left me without the services of that excellent officer; much ought fairly to be attributed to him for his great care and attention in disciplining the ship's crew, as her first lieutenant. His place was filled by a gallant young officer, Lieutenant Peter Gamble, who, I regret to inform you, was killed early in the action. Acting-lieutenant Vallette worked the first and second division of guns with able effect. Sailing-master Brum's attention to the springs, and in the execution of the order to wind the ship, and occasionally at the guns, met my entire approbation; also Captain Youngs, commanding the acting marines, who took his men to the guns. Mr. Beale, purser, was of great service at the guns, and in carrying my orders throughout the ship, with Midshipman Montgomery. Master's mate Joshua Justin had command of the third division; his conduct during the action was that of a brave officer. Midshipmen Monteath, Graham, Williamson, Platt, Thwing, and Acting-Midshipman Baldwin all behaved well, and gave evidence of their making valuable officers. The Saratoga was twice set on fire by hot shot from the enemy's ship.

I close, Sir, this communication with feelings of gratitude for the able support I received from every officer and man attached to the squadron which I have the honour to command.

I have the honour to be, &c., T. MACDONOUGH.

No. 35. (p. 193) PLATE XXXVI.

September 11, 1814.

Rob. Henley Eagle præfect. palma virtu per æternit. florebit. [Rx]. Uno latere percusso. alterum impavide vertit.

CAPTAIN ROBERT HENLEY.

[Victory of Lake Champlain.]

ROB. HENLEY EAGLE PRÆFECT. PALMA VIRTU. PER ÆTERNIT. FLOREBIT. (Robertus Henley, Eagle præfectus; palma virtutis per æternitatem florebit: Robert Henley, commander of the Eagle. The palm of bravery will flourish forever.) Bust of Captain Henley, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

UNO LATERE PERCUSSO. ALTERUM IMPAVIDE VERTIT. (Beaten on one side, he fearlessly turns the other.) Naval action on Lake Champlain, between the United States fleet, carrying eighty-six guns, under Captain Macdonough, and the British fleet, with ninety-five guns, commanded by Commodore Downie. To the right the city of Plattsburgh in flames. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE XI SEPT. MDCCCXIIII. (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 11 Septembris, 1814: Between the American and British fleets, September 11, 1814.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).[91]

[Footnote 91: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the victory on Lake Champlain, are given under No. 34, page 189.]

ROBERT HENLEY was born in James City County, Virginia, January 5, (p. 194) 1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1799, and was on board of the Constellation, under Captain Truxtun, during her combat with La Vengeance; he was a lieutenant in 1807; a commander August 12, 1814; obtained the Eagle, and was second in command to Macdonough in his victory on lake Champlain, September 11, 1814, receiving for his conduct on that occasion the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He was appointed captain, March 3, 1825; served in the home squadron and in the West Indies, and died on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, October 7, 1828.

No. 36. (p. 195) PLATE XXXVII.

September 11, 1814.

Step. Cassin Ticonderoga præfect. Quæ regio in terris nos. non plena lab. [Rx]. Uno latere percusso. alterum impavide vertit.

LIEUTENANT STEPHEN CASSIN.

[Victory of Lake Champlain.]

STEP. CASSIN TICONDEROGA PRÆFECT. QUÆ REGIO IN TERRIS NOS. NON PLENA LAB.[92] (Stephanus Cassin, Ticonderoga præfectus. Quæ regio in terris nostri non plena laboris: Stephen Cassin, commander of the Ticonderoga. What region of the earth is not full of our works.) Bust of Lieutenant Cassin, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 92: Virgil, Æneid, Book I, 464.]

UNO LATERE PERCUSSO. ALTERUM IMPAVIDE VERTIT. (Beaten on one side, he fearlessly turns the other.) Naval action on Lake Champlain, between the United States fleet, carrying eighty-six guns, under the command of Captain Macdonough, and the British fleet, with ninety-five guns, commanded by Commodore Downie. To the right the city of Plattsburgh in flames. Exergue: INTER CLASS. AMERI. ET BRIT. DIE XI SEPT. MDCCCXIIII. (Inter classim Americanam et Britannicam, die 11 Septembris, 1814: Between the American and British fleets, September 11, 1814.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).[93]

[Footnote 93: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the action on Lake Champlain, are given under No. 34, page 189.]

STEPHEN CASSIN was born in Philadelphia, February 16, 1783. He (p. 196) entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800, served in the Tripolitan campaign, and became a lieutenant in 1807. He commanded the Ticonderoga in Macdonough's victory on Lake Champlain, September 11, 1814, and for his conduct on that occasion was promoted to the rank of master, and received a vote of thanks and a gold medal from Congress. He was made captain, March 3, 1825, commanded for some time the navy yard at Washington, District of Columbia, and died there, April 29, 1857.

No. 37. (p. 197) PLATE XXXVIII.

March 29, 1814.

Ludovicus Warrington dux navalis Ameri. [Rx]. Pro patria paratus aut vincere aut mori.

CAPTAIN LEWIS WARRINGTON.

[Capture of the Épervier.]

LUDOVICUS WARRINGTON DUX NAVALIS AMERI. (Americanus) (Lewis Warrington, American naval commander.) Bust of Captain Warrington, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

PRO PATRIA PARATUS AUT VINCERE AUT MORI. (Prepared to conquer or die for his country.) Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Peacock, of eighteen guns, Captain Warrington, and the British brig-of-war Épervier, of eighteen guns, Captain Wales; the Peacock, to leeward, is firing her port broadside. The Épervier has lost her main-topmast Exergue: INTER PEACOCK NAV. AMERI ET EPERVIE (sic) NAV. ANG. DIE XXIX MAR. MDCCCXIV. (Inter Peacock navem Americanam et Épervier navem Anglicanam, die 29 Martii, 1814: Between the American vessel Peacock and the English vessel Épervier, March 29, 1814.) FÜRST. F. (fecit).

LEWIS WARRINGTON was born in Williamsburgh, Virginia, November 3, 1782. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800, and served under Commodore Preble in the Tripolitan campaign; was lieutenant, 1807; and master-commandant, 1813. He sailed from New York in March, 1814, (p. 198) in command of the sloop-of-war Peacock, and on the 29th of the same month took the British brig-of-war Épervier, Captain Wales, for which gallant deed he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He was promoted to the rank of captain in November of the same year, and subsequently served on the Naval Board. In 1842 he became chief of the ordnance and hydrographic bureau of the Navy Department, in which capacity he died in Washington, October 12, 1851.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Warrington, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present to Captain Lewis Warrington, of the sloop-of-war Peacock, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver medal,[94] with like emblems and devices, to each of the commissioned officers, and a sword to each of the midshipmen, and to the sailing-master of said vessel, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew, in the action with the British brig Épervier, on the 29th day of April, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, in which action the decisive effect and great superiority of the American gunnery were so signally displayed.

[Footnote 94: The silver medals are copies of the one in gold to Captain Warrington.]

Approved October 21, 1814.

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Captain Warrington to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States sloop Peacock, at sea, William JONES, Latitude 27° 47´, longitude 89°. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. April 29th, 1814.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you that we have this morning captured, after an action of 42 minutes, His Majesty's brig Épervier, Captain Wales, rating and mounting 18 thirty-two pound carronades, with 128 men, of whom 8 were killed and 15 wounded, according to the best information we could obtain. Among the latter is her first lieutenant, who has lost an arm, and received a severe splinter wound in the hip. Not a man in the Peacock (p. 199) was killed, and only two wounded, neither dangerously so. The fate of the Épervier would have been determined in much less time, but for the circumstance of our fore-yard being totally disabled by two round shots in the starboard quarter from her first broadside, which entirely deprived us of the use of our fore and fore-top sails, and compelled us to keep the ship large throughout the remainder of the action. This, with a few top-mast and top-gallant back-stays cut away, a few shots through our sails, is the only injury the Peacock has sustained. Not a round shot touched our hull; our masts and spars are as sound as ever. When the enemy struck he had five feet water in his hold, his main top-mast was over the side, his main-boom shot away, his fore-mast cut nearly in two and tottering, his fore rigging and stays shot away, his bowsprit badly wounded, and forty-five shot holes in his hull, twenty of which were within a foot of his water line. By great exertion we got her in sailing order just as dark came on.

In fifteen minutes after the enemy struck, the Peacock was ready for another action, in every respect but her fore-yard, which was sent down, finished and had the fore-sail set again in forty-five minutes: such was the spirit and activity of our gallant crew. The Épervier had under her convoy an English hermaphrodite brig, a Russian and a Spanish ship, which all hauled their wind, and stood to the east-northeast. I had determined upon pursuing the former, but found that it would not answer to leave our prize in her then crippled state, and the more particularly so, as we found she had in her $120,000 in specie, which we soon transferred to this sloop. Every officer, seaman, and marine did his duty, which is the highest compliment I can pay them.

I am, respectfully, L. WARRINGTON.

No. 38. (p. 200) PLATE XXXIX.

June 28, 1814.

Johnston Blakeley Reip. Fæd. Am. nav. Wasp dux. [Rx]. Eheu! bis victor patria tua te luget plauditq.

CAPTAIN JOHNSTON BLAKELEY.

[Capture of the Reindeer.]

JOHNSTON BLAKELEY REIP. FÆD. AM. NAV. WASP DUX. (_Johnston Blakeley, Reipublicæ Fæderatæ Americanæ navis Wasp dux: Johnston Blakeley, Captain of the American Federal Republic's vessel Wasp._) Bust of Captain Blakeley, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

EHEU! BIS VICTOR PATRIA TUA TE LUGET PLAUDITQ. (Plauditque) (_Alas! twice conqueror, thy country laments and applauds thee._) Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Wasp, of eighteen guns, Captain Blakeley, and the British sloop-of-war Reindeer, of eighteen guns, Captain Manners; the Wasp, to windward, is firing her port broadside. The British vessel is striking her colors. Exergue: INTER WASP NAV. AMERI. ET REINDEER NAV. ANG. DIE XXVIII JUNIUS (sic) MDCCCXIV. (_Inter Wasp navem Americanam et Reindeer navem Anglicanam, die 28 Junius, 1814: Between the American vessel Wasp and the English vessel Reindeer, June 28, 1814._) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

JOHNSTON BLAKELEY was born at Seaford, County Down, Ireland, (p. 201) October, 1781. He was brought, when very young, to North Carolina, where his parents settled, and where they died while he was still a child. He entered the navy as a midshipman, February 5, 1800, and served under Commodore Preble in the Tripolitan campaign. In 1813, when a lieutenant, he commanded the Enterprize, and in the same year became master-commandant of the sloop-of-war Wasp, with which, on June 28, 1814, he took the British sloop-of-war Reindeer, Commander William Manners. For this memorable action Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He afterward cruised off the coast of France, and was lost at sea in the Wasp, of which no news has ever been received.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Blakeley, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to present to Captain Johnston Blakeley, of the sloop Wasp, a gold medal, with suitable devices, and a silver medal,[95] with like devices, to each of the commissioned officers, and also a sword to each of the midshipmen, and the sailing-master of the aforesaid vessel, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry and good conduct of the officers and crew, in the action with the British sloop-of-war Reindeer, on the twenty-eighth of June, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen; in which action determined bravery and cool intrepidity, in nineteen minutes, obtained a decisive victory by boarding.

[Footnote 95: The silver medals are copies of the medal in gold to Captain Blakeley.]

Approved November 3, 1814.

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Captain Blakeley to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States Ship Wasp, William JONES L'Orient, July 8th, 1814. Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.

Sir: On Tuesday, the 28th instant, being then in latitude 48° 36´, north, and longitude 11° 15´ west, we fell in with, engaged, and after an action of nineteen minutes, captured His (p. 202) Britannic Majesty's sloop-of-war the Reindeer, William Manners, Esquire, commander.

Where all did their duty and each appeared anxious to excel, it is very difficult to discriminate. It is, however, only rendering them their merited due, when it is declared of Lieutenants Reily and Bury, 1st and 3d of this vessel, and whose names will be found among those of the conquerors of the Guerrière and Java; and of Mr. Tillinghast, 2d lieutenant, who was greatly instrumental in the capture of the Boxer; that their conduct and courage on this occasion fulfilled my highest expectations and gratified every wish. Sailing-master Carr is also entitled to great credit for the zeal and ability with which he discharged his various duties.

The cool and patient conduct of every officer and man, while exposed to the fire of the shifting gun of the enemy, and without an opportunity of returning it, could only be equalled by the animation and ardour exhibited when actually engaged, or by the promptitude and firmness with which every attempt of the enemy to board was met and successfully repelled. Such conduct may be seen, but cannot well be described.

The Reindeer mounted sixteen 24 pound carronades, two long 6 or 9 pounders, and a shifting 12 pound carronade, with a complement (on board) of 118 men. Her crew were said to be the pride of Plymouth.

Our loss in men has been severe, owing in part to the proximity of the two vessels and the extreme smoothness of the sea, but chiefly in repelling boarders. That of the enemy, however, was infinitely more so, as will be seen by the list of killed and wounded on both sides.

Six round shot struck our hull, and many grape which did not penetrate far. The fore-mast received a 24 pound shot, which passed through its centre, and our rigging and sails were a good deal injured.

The Reindeer was literally cut to pieces in a line with her ports; her upper works, boats and spare spars, were one complete wreck. A breeze springing up next afternoon, her fore-mast went by the board.

Having received all the prisoners on board, which from the number of wounded occupied much time, together with their baggage, the Reindeer was on the evening of the 29th, set on fire, and in a few hours blew up.

I have the honour to be, etc., J. BLAKELEY.

Killed and Wounded. The loss on board the Reindeer was 25 killed and 42 wounded, total 67. On board the Wasp, 5 killed and 21 wounded, principally in boarding; among the latter, midshipmen Langdon and Toscan, both of whom expired some days after the action.

No. 39. (p. 203) PLATE XL.

July 5 and 25, and September 17, 1814.

Major General Jacob Brown. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.

MAJOR-GENERAL JACOB BROWN.

[Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.]

MAJOR GENERAL JACOB BROWN. Bust of General Brown, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. In the center of a trophy, composed of the enemy's arms and flags, are the Roman fasces, emblem of the strength and of the union of America. The fasces are surrounded by a crown of laurel, from which hang three cartoons, each bearing the name of one of the three victories: "NIAGARA" "ERIE" "CHIPPEWA". At the foot of the trophy the American eagle, with outspread wings, holds in its talons a British standard. Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA. JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA. JULY 25. 1814. ERIE. SEP. (September) 17. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

JACOB BROWN was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1775. He began life as a school teacher, and afterward became a land surveyor in Ohio. He removed to Jefferson County, New York, in 1799; was made a colonel of New York militia, 1809; a brigadier-general of the same, 1810; and distinguished himself by his defence of Sackett's Harbor, May 29, 1813. He was appointed a brigadier-general in the United (p. 204) States army, July 19, 1813; major-general, January 24, 1814; and, in the same year, commander-in-chief on the Canada frontier. In this capacity he won the battles of Chippewa, July 5; Niagara, July 25; and Erie, September 17. For these victories Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He became commander-in-chief of the army in 1821, and died at head-quarters in Washington, February 24, 1828.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to Generals Brown, Scott, Porter, Gaines, Macomb, Ripley, and Miller._

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major General Brown, and through him, to the officers and men of the regular army, and of the militia under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the successive battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, in Upper Canada, in which British veteran troops were beaten and repulsed by equal or inferior numbers; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of these triumphs, and presented to Major-General Brown.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Major-General Scott, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his distinguished services in the successive conflicts of Chippewa and Niagara, and of his uniform gallantry and good conduct in sustaining the reputation of the arms of the United States.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Brigadier-General Ripley, Brigadier-General Miller, and Major-General Porter, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of their gallantry and good conduct in the several conflicts of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.

Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major-General Gaines, and through him to the officers and men under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the enemy at Erie on the fifteenth of (p. 205) August, repelling with great slaughter the attack of a British veteran army, superior in numbers; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to Major-General Gaines.

Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major-General Macomb, and through him to the officers and men of the regular army under his command, and to the militia and volunteers of New York and Vermont, for their gallantry and good conduct, in defeating the enemy at Plattsburgh on the eleventh of September, repelling with one thousand five hundred men, aided by a body of militia and volunteers from New York and Vermont, a British veteran army, greatly superior in number; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to Major-General Macomb.

Approved November 3, 1814.

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Major-General Brown to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Head Quarters, Chippewa Plains, John ARMSTRONG, July 7th, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: On the 2d instant I issued my order for crossing the Niagara river, and made the arrangements deemed necessary for securing the garrison of Fort Erie. On the 3d that post surrendered at 5 P.M. Our loss in this affair was four of the 25th regiment, under Major Jessup, of Brigadier-General Scott's brigade, wounded. I have enclosed a return of the prisoners, of the ordnance and ordnance stores captured.

To secure my rear, I have placed a garrison in this fort, and requested Captain Kennedy to station his vessels near the post.

On the morning of the 4th, Brigadier-General Scott, with his brigade and a corps of artillery, was ordered to advance toward Chippewa, and be governed by circumstances; taking care to secure a good military position for the night. After some skirmishing with the enemy, he selected this plain with the eye of a soldier, his right resting on the river, and a ravine being in front. At 11 at night I joined him with the reserve, under General Ripley, our field and battering train, and corps of artillery under Major Hindman. General Porter arrived the next morning with a part of the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, and some of the warriors of the Six Nations.

Early in the morning of the 5th, the enemy commenced a petty war upon our pickets, and, as he was indulged, his presumption increased; by noon he showed himself on the left of our extensive line, and attacked one of our pickets as it was returning to camp. Captain Treat, who commanded it, retired disgracefully, leaving a wounded man on the ground. Captain Biddle, of the artillery, who was near the scene, impelled by feelings highly honourable to him as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the command of this picket, led it back to the wounded man and brought him off the field. I ordered Captain Treat, on the post, to retire from the army, as I am anxious that no officer (p. 206) shall remain under my command who can be suspected of cowardice. I advise that Captain Treat[96] be struck from the rolls of the army.

At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, agreeably to a plan I had given General Porter, he advanced from the rear of our camp, with the volunteers and Indians (taking the woods in order to keep out of view of the enemy), with the hope of bringing his pickets and scouting parties between his (Porter's) line of march, and our camp. As Porter moved, I ordered the parties advanced in front of our camp to fall back gradually, under the enemy's fire, in order to draw him, if possible, up to our line. About half past 4, the advance of General Porter's command met the light parties of the enemy in the woods, upon our extreme left. The enemy were driven, and Porter advancing near to Chippewa, met their whole column in order of battle. From the cloud of dust rising, and the heavy firing, I was led to conclude that the entire force of the enemy was in march, and prepared for action. I immediately ordered General Scott to advance with his brigade, and Towson's artillery, and meet them upon the plain in front of our camp. The general did not expect to be gratified with a field engagement. He advanced in the most prompt and officer-like style, and in a few minutes was in close action upon the plain, with a superior force of British regular troops. By this time General Porter's command had given way, and fled in every direction, notwithstanding his personal gallantry, and great exertions to stay their flight. The retreat of the volunteers and Indians caused the left flank of General Scott's brigade to be greatly exposed. Captain Harris, with his dragoons, was directed to stop the fugitives, behind the ravine fronting our camp; and I sent Colonel Gardner to order General Ripley to advance with the 21st regiment which formed part of the reserve, pass to the left of our camp, skirt the woods so as to keep out of view, and fall upon the rear of the enemy's right flank. This order was promptly obeyed, and the greatest exertions were made by the 21st regiment to gain their position, and close with the enemy, but in vain; for such was the zeal and gallantry of the line commanded by General Scott, that its advance upon the enemy was not to be checked. Major Jessup, commanding the left flank battalion, finding himself pressed in front and in flank, and his men falling fast around him, ordered his battalion to "support arms and advance;" the order was promptly obeyed, amidst the most deadly and destructive fire. He gained a more secure position, and returned upon the enemy so galling a discharge, as caused them to retire. By this time, their whole line was falling back, and our gallant soldiers pressing upon them as fast as possible. As soon as the enemy had gained the sloping ground, descending towards Chippewa, and distant a quarter of a mile, he broke and ran to gain his works. In this effort he was too successful, and the guns from his batteries opening immediately upon our line, checked in some degree the pursuit. At this moment I resolved to bring up all my ordnance and force the place by a direct attack, and gave the order accordingly. Major Wood, of the corps of engineers, and my aid, Captain Austin, rode to the bank of the creek towards the right of their line of works, and examined them. I was induced by their report, the lateness of the hour, and the advice of General Scott and Major Wood, to order the forces to retire to camp.

My most difficult duty remains to be performed; I am (p. 207) depressed with the fear of not being able to do justice to my brave companions in arms, and apprehensive, that some who had an opportunity of distinguishing themselves, and promptly embraced it, will escape my notice.

Brigadier-General Scott is entitled to the highest praise our country can bestow: to him, more than any other man, I am indebted for the victory of the 5th of July. His brigade has covered itself with glory. Every officer and every man of the 9th and 22d, 11th and 15th regiments did his duty with a zeal and energy worthy of the American character. When every officer stands so pre-eminently high in the path of his duty and honour, it is impossible to discriminate, but I cannot deprive myself of the pleasure of saying, that Major Leavenworth commanded the 9th and 22d, Major Jessup the 25th, and Major McNeil the 11th. Colonel Campbell was wounded early in the action, gallantly leading on his regiment.

The family of General Scott were conspicuous in the field; Lieutenant Smith of the 6th infantry, major of brigade, and Lieutenants Worth and Watts his aids.

From General Ripley and his brigade, I received every assistance that I gave them an opportunity of rendering. I did not order any part of the reserve into action until General Porter's command had given way, and then General Scott's movements were so rapid and decisive, that General Ripley could not get up in time with the 21st, to the position as directed. The corps of artillery under Major Hindman were not generally in action; this was not their fault. Captain Towson's company was the only one that had a full opportunity of distinguishing itself, and it is believed that no company ever embraced an opportunity with more zeal or more success.

A detachment from the 2d brigade under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, penetrated the woods with the Indians and volunteers, and for their support. The conduct of McDonald and his command reflects high honour on the brigade to which they belong.

The conduct of General Porter has been conspicuously gallant. Every assistance in his power to afford, with the description of force under his command, has been rendered. We could not expect him to contend with the British column of regulars which appeared upon the plains of Chippewa. It was no cause of surprise to me to see his command retire before this column.

Justice forbids that I should omit to name my own family. They yield to none in honourable zeal, intelligence, and attention to duty. Colonel Gardner, Major Jones, and my aids, Captains Austin and Spencer, have been as active and as much devoted to the cause as any officers of the army. Their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments; of Gardner and Jones I shall have occasion again to speak to you.

Major Camp, deputy-quarter-master-general, deserves my particular notice and approbation. By his great exertions, I was enabled to find the means of crossing. Captain Daliba, of the ordnance department, has rendered every service in his power.

The inclosed return will show you our loss, and furnish you with the names of the dead and wounded officers. These gallant men must not be forgotten. Our country will remember them, and do them justice.

With great respect, &c., Jacob BROWN.

[Footnote 96: Captain Treat was tried by a court-martial and honorably acquitted.]

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General Orders. (p. 208)

Adjutant-General's Office, left Division, Chippewa Plains, July 6th, 1814.

Major-General Brown has the gratification to say, that the soldiers of the 2d division, west of the Niagara, merit greater applause than he is able to bestow in general orders; they merit the highest approbation of the country. The conduct of Brigadier-General Scott's brigade, which had the opportunity to engage the whole force of the enemy, the greater part, it is believed, of all in the peninsula, removes on the day of this battle the reflection on our country, that its reputation in arms is yet to be established. His brigade consists of battalions of the 9th, the 11th, the 25th and a detachment of the 22d. Towson's company of artillery, which was attached to it, gallantly commenced, and with it sustained the action.

The volunteers and Indians performed their part; they drove the enemy's Indians and light troops until they met the British army: they meet the general's approbation.

Of the reports of killed and wounded, the names of the wounded officers will be mentioned, in order that they may be rewarded with that honourable mention which is due.

By order of Major-General Brown. C. K. GARDNER, Adj't Gen.

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General Brown to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable John ARMSTRONG, Buffalo, August, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: Confined as I was, and have been, since the last engagement with the enemy, I fear that the account I am about to give may be less full and satisfactory than under other circumstances it might have been made. I particularly fear that the conduct of the gallant men it was my good fortune to lead, will not be noticed in a way due to their fame and the honour of our country.

You are already apprized that the army had, on the 25th ultimo, taken a position at Chippewa. About noon of that day, Colonel Swift, who was posted at Lewistown advised me by express that the enemy appeared in considerable force in Queenstown, and on its heights; that four of the enemy's fleet had arrived during the preceding night, and were then lying near Fort Niagara, and that a number of boats were in view moving up the strait. Within a few minutes after this intelligence had been received, I was further informed by Captain Denmons, of the quarter-master's department, that the enemy was landing at Lewistown, and that our baggage and stores at Schlosser, and on their way thither, were in danger of immediate capture. It is proper here to mention, that having received advices as late as the 20th from General James, that our fleet was then in port, and the commodore sick, we ceased to look for co-operation from that quarter, and determined to disencumber ourselves of baggage, and march directly for Burlington (p. 209) Heights. To mask this intention, and to draw from Schlosser a small supply of provisions, I fell back upon Chippewa.

As this arrangement, under the increased force of the enemy, left much at hazard on our side of the Niagara, and as it appeared by the before stated information, that the enemy was about to avail himself of it, I conceived that the most effectual method of recalling him from this object was to put myself in motion towards Queenstown. General Scott, with his first brigade, Towson's artillery, and all the dragoons and mounted men were accordingly put in march on the road leading thither, with orders to report, if the enemy appeared, and to call for assistance, if that was necessary. On the general's arrival at the falls, he learned that the enemy was in force directly in his front, a narrow piece of woods alone intercepting his view of them. Waiting only to give this information, he advanced upon them. By this time Assistant Adjutant General Jones had delivered his message, the action began, and before the remaining part of the division had crossed the Chippewa, it had become close and general between the advanced corps. Though General Ripley with his second brigade, Major Hindman with the corps of artillery, and General Porter at the head of his command, had respectively pressed forward with ardour, it was not less than an hour before they were brought to sustain General Scott, during which time his command most skilfully and gallantly maintained the conflict. Upon my arrival, I found that the general had passed the wood, and engaged the enemy on the Queenstown road, and on the ground to the left of it, with the 9th, 11th and 22d regiments, and Towson's artillery. The 25th had been thrown to the right, to be governed by circumstances.

Apprehending that these corps were much exhausted, and knowing that they had suffered severely, I determined to interpose a new line with the advancing troops; and thus disengage General Scott, and hold his brigade in reserve. Orders were accordingly given to General Ripley. The enemy's artillery at this moment occupied a hill which gave great advantage, and was the key of the whole position. It was supported by a line of infantry. To secure victory, it was necessary to carry this artillery and seize the height. This duty was assigned to Colonel Miller, while, to favour its execution, the 1st regiment, under the command of Colonel Nicholas, was directed to manoeuvre and amuse the infantry. To my great mortification, this regiment, after a discharge or two, gave way and retreated some distance, before it could be rallied, though it is believed the officers of the regiment exerted themselves to shorten this distance. In the mean time, Colonel Miller, without regard to this occurrence, advanced steadily and gallantly to his object, and carried the height and the cannon. General Ripley brought up the 23d regiment, (which had also faltered,) to his support, and the enemy disappeared from before them. The 1st regiment was now brought into line on the left of the 21st, and the detachment of the 17th and 19th, General Porter occupying with his command the extreme left. About this time, Colonel Miller carried the enemy's cannon. The 25th regiment, under Major Jessup was engaged in a more obstinate conflict with all that remained to dispute with us the field of battle. The major, as has been already stated, had been ordered by General Scott, at the commencement of the action, to take ground to his right. He had succeeded in turning the enemy's flank; had captured (by a detachment under Captain Ketchum), (p. 210) General Riall and sundry other officers, and showed himself again to his own army, in a blaze of fire, which defeated or destroyed a very superior force of the enemy. He was ordered to form on the right of the 2d regiment. The enemy rallying his forces, and as is believed, having received reinforcements, now attempted to drive us from our position and regain his artillery. Our line was unshaken and the enemy repulsed. Two other attempts having the same object, had the same issue. General Scott was again engaged in repelling the former of these, and the last I saw of him in the field of battle, he was near the head of his column, and giving to its march a direction that would place him on the enemy's right. It was with great pleasure I saw the good order and intrepidity of General Porter's volunteers from the moment of their arrival; but during the last charge of the enemy those qualities were conspicuous. Stimulated by the examples set them by their gallant leader, by Major Wood of the Pennsylvania corps, by Colonel Dobbin of New York, and by their officers generally, they precipitated themselves upon the enemy's line, and made all the prisoners which were taken at this point of the action.

Having been for some time wounded, and being a good deal exhausted by the loss of blood, it became my wish to devolve the command on General Scott, and retire from the field; but on enquiry, I had the misfortune to learn, that he was disabled by wounds; I therefore kept my post, and had the satisfaction to see the enemy's last effort repulsed. I now consigned the command to General Ripley.

While retiring from the field, I saw and felt, that the victory was complete on our part, if proper measures were promptly adopted to secure it. The exhaustion of the men was, however, such as made some refreshment necessary. They particularly required water. I was myself extremely sensible of the want of this necessary article. I therefore believed it proper, that General Ripley and the troops should return to camp, after bringing off the dead, the wounded, and artillery; and in this I saw no difficulty, as the enemy had entirely ceased to act. Within an hour after my arrival in camp, I was informed that General Ripley had returned without annoyance, and in good order. I now sent for him, and after giving him my reasons for the measure I was about to adopt, ordered him to put the troops in the best possible condition; to give to them the necessary refreshment; to take the pickets and camp-guards, and every other description of force; to put himself on the field of battle as the day dawned, and there to meet and beat the enemy if he again appeared. To this order he made no objection, and I relied upon its execution. It was not executed. I feel most sensibly how inadequate are my powers in speaking of the troops, to do justice to their merits, or to my own sense of them. Under abler direction, they might have done more and better.

From the preceding details, you have new evidence of the distinguished gallantry of Generals Scott and Porter, of Colonel Miller and Major Jessup, of the 1st brigade. The chief, with his aid-de-camp Worth, his major of brigade Smith, and every commander of battalion, were wounded. The 2d brigade suffered less; but as a brigade, their conduct entitled them to the applause of their country. After the enemy's strong position had been carried by the 21st and the detachments of the 17th and 19th, the 1st and 23d assumed a new character. They could not again be shaken or dismayed. Major McFarland, of the latter, fell nobly at the head of his battalion.

Under the command of General Porter, the militia volunteers (p. 211) of Pennsylvania and New York stood undismayed amidst the hottest fire, and repulsed the veterans opposed to them. The Canadian volunteers, commanded by Colonel Wilson, are reported by General Porter as having merited and received his approbation.

The corps of artillery commanded by Major Hindman, behaved with its usual gallantry. Towson's company attached to the 1st brigade, was the first and the last engaged, and during the whole conflict maintained that high character which they had previously won by their skill and their valour. Captains Biddle and Ritchie were both wounded early in the action, but refused to quit the field. The latter declared that he would never leave his piece; and true to his engagement, fell by its side covered with wounds.

The staff of the army had its peculiar merit and distinction. Colonel Gardner, adjutant-general, though ill, was on horseback, and did all in his power; his assistant, Major Jones, was very active and useful. My gallant aids-de-camp, Austin and Spencer, had many and critical duties to perform, in discharge of which the latter fell; I shall ever think of this young man with pride and regret; regret that his career has been so short; pride that it has been so noble and distinguished. The engineers, Majors McRee and Wood, were greatly distinguished on this day, and their high military talents exerted with great effect; they were much under my eye and near my person, and to their assistance a great deal is fairly to be ascribed. I most earnestly recommend them as worthy of the highest trust and confidence. The staff of Generals Ripley and Porter, discovered great zeal and attention to duty. Lieutenant E. B. Randolph, of the 20th regiment, is entitled to notice; his courage was conspicuous.

I enclose a return of our loss: those noted missing may generally be numbered with the dead. The enemy had but little opportunity of making prisoners.

I have the honour to be, etc., Jacob BROWN.

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General Brown to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Headquarters, Camp Fort Erie, John ARMSTRONG, September 29th, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: In my letter of the 18th instant I briefly informed you of the fortunate issue of the sortie which took place the day preceding. But it is due to the gallant officers and men, to whose bravery we are indebted for our success on this occasion, that I should give you a more circumstantial and detailed account of this affair.

The enemy's camp I had ascertained to be situated in a field, surrounded by woods, nearly two miles distant from their batteries and entrenchments, the object of which was to keep the parts of their force which was not upon duty, out of the range of our fire from Fort Erie and Black Rock. Their infantry was formed into three brigades, estimated at 1,200 or 1,500 men each. One of these brigades, with a detail from their artillery, was (p. 212) stationed at their works, (these being but 500 yards distant from old Fort Erie, and the right of our line). We had already suffered much from the fire of two of their batteries, and were aware that a third was about to open upon us. Under these circumstances, I resolved to storm the batteries, destroy the cannon, and roughly handle the brigade upon duty, before those in reserve could be brought into action.

On the morning of the 17th, the infantry and riflemen, regulars and militia, were ordered to be paraded, and put in readiness to march precisely at 12 o'clock. General Porter with the volunteers, Colonel Gibson with the riflemen, and Major Brooke with the 23rd and 21st infantry, and a few dragoons acting as infantry, were ordered to move from the extreme left of our position, upon the enemy's right, by a passage opened through the woods for the occasion. General Miller was directed to station his command in the ravine, which lies between Fort Erie and the enemy's batteries, by passing them by detachments through the skirts of the wood, and the 21st infantry, under General Ripley, was posted as a corps of reserve between the new bastions of Fort Erie; all under cover and out of the view of the enemy.

About 20 minutes before 3 P.M. I found the left columns, under the command of General Porter, which were destined to turn the enemy's right, within a few rods of the British entrenchments. They were ordered to advance and commence the action. Passing down the ravine, I judged from the report of musketry, that the action had commenced on our left; I now hastened to General Miller and directed him to seize the moment and pierce the enemy's entrenchments between batteries No. 2 and 3. My orders were promptly and ably executed. Within 30 minutes after the first gun was fired, batteries No. 3 and 2, the enemy's line of entrenchments, and his two block houses, were in our possession. Soon after, battery No. 1 was abandoned by the British. The guns in each were spiked by us, or otherwise destroyed, and the magazine of No. 3 was blown up.

A few minutes before the explosion, I had ordered up the reserve under General Ripley. As he passed me at the head of his column, I desired him, as he would be the senior in advance, to ascertain, as near as possible, the situation of the troops in general, and to have a care that not more was hazarded than the occasion required; that, the object of the sortie effected, the troops would retire in good order, &c. General Ripley passed rapidly on; soon after, I became alarmed for General Miller, and sent an order for the 21st to hasten to his support towards battery No. 1. Colonel Upham received the order, and advanced to the aid of General Miller. General Ripley had inclined to the left, where Major Brooke's command was engaged, with a view of making some necessary enquiries of that officer, and in the act of doing so, was unfortunately wounded. By this time, the object of the sortie was accomplished beyond my most sanguine expectations. General Miller had consequently ordered the troops on the right to fall back; observing this movement, I sent my staff along the line to call in the other corps. Within a few minutes they retired from the ravine, and from thence to camp.

Thus, one thousand regulars, and an equal portion of militia, in one hour of close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, destroyed the fruits of fifty days labour, and diminished his effective force 1,000 men at least. I am at a loss how to express my satisfaction at the gallant conduct of the officers and (p. 213) men of this division, whose valour has shown superior to every trial. General Porter, in his official report herein enclosed, has very properly noticed those patriotic citizens who have done so much honour to themselves, by freely and voluntarily tendering their services at a dangerous and critical period.

As the scene of action was in a wood, in advance of the position I had chosen for directing the movements of the whole, the several reports of commandants of corps, must guide me in noticing individuals.

General Miller mentions Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall, Lieutenant-Colonel Beedle, Major Trimble, Captain Hull, Captain Ingersoll, Lieutenant Crawford, Lieutenant Lee, and particularly Ensign O'Fling, as entitled to distinction.

Lieutenant-Colonel McDonald, upon whom the command of the rifle corps devolved, upon the fall of the brave and generous Gibson, names Adjutant Shortridge, of the 1st, and Ballard of the 4th regiments, as deserving the highest applause for their promptness and gallantry in communicating orders. Of the other officers of the corps, he reports generally, that the bravery and good conduct of all was so conspicuous as to render it impossible to discriminate.

Major Brooke, to whom much credit is due for the distinguished manner in which he executed the orders he received, speaks in high terms of Lieutenants Goodell, Ingersoll, Livingston, and ensigns Brant and O'Fling, of the 23d, particularly of the latter. Also of Captain Simms, Lieutenants Bissel, Shore, and Brinot, of the 1st infantry, and Lieutenant Watts, of the dragoons.

Lieutenant-Colonel Upham, who took the command of the reserve after General Ripley was disabled, bestows great praise upon Major Chambers, of the 4th regiment of riflemen, attached to the 21st infantry, as also upon Captain Bradford and Lieutenant Holding of that regiment.

My staff, Colonel Snelling, Colonel Gardner, Major Jones, and my aids-de-camp, Major Austin and Lieutenant Armstrong, were, as usual, zealous, intelligent, and active; they performed every duty required of them to my entire satisfaction.

Major Hall, assistant inspector general, led a battalion of militia, and conducted with skill and gallantry. Lieutenant Kirby, aid-de-camp to General Ripley, was extremely active and useful during the time he was in action.

Lieutenants Frazer and Riddle were in General Porter's staff; their bravery was conspicuous, and no officers of their grade were more useful.

The corps of artillery, commanded by Major Hindman, which has been so eminently distinguished throughout this campaign, had no opportunity of taking a part in the sortie. The 25th infantry, under Colonel Jessup, was stationed in Fort Erie to hold the key of our position.

Colonel Brady, on whose firmness and good conduct every reliance could be placed, was in command at Buffalo with the remains of the 22d infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel McRee and Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, of the corps of engineers, having rendered to this army services the most important, I must seize the opportunity of again mentioning them particularly. On every trying occasion, I have reaped much benefit from their sound and excellent advice. No two officers of their grade could have contributed more to the safety and honour of this army. Wood, brave, generous and (p. 214) enterprising, died as he had lived, without a feeling but for the honour of his country and glory of her arms. His name and example will live to guide the soldiers in the path of duty so long as true heroism is held in estimation. McRee lives to enjoy the approbation of every virtuous and generous mind, and to receive the reward due to his services and high military talents.

It is proper here to notice, that although but one-third of the enemy's force was on duty when his works were carried, the whole were brought into action while we were employed in destroying his cannon. We secured prisoners from seven of his regiments, and know that the 6th and 87th suffered severely in killed and wounded, yet these regiments were not upon duty.

Lieutenant-General Drummond broke up his camp during the night of the 21st, and retired to his entrenchments behind the Chippewa. A part of our men came up with the rear of his army at Frenchman's creek; the enemy destroyed part of their stores by setting fire to the building from which they were employed in conveying them. We found in and about the camp a considerable quantity of cannon ball, and upwards of one hundred stand of arms.

I send you enclosed herein a return of our loss. The return of prisoners enclosed does not include the stragglers that came in after the action.

I have the honour to be, &c., Jacob BROWN.

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General Brown to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Head Quarters, Fort Camp Erie, John ARMSTRONG, October 1st, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: Looking over my official account of the action of the 17th ultimo, I find that the names of the regiments which composed General Miller's command have not been given. As I believe it even more important to distinguish corps than individuals, I am anxious to correct this mistake. General Miller on that day commanded the remains of the 9th and 11th infantry, and a detachment of the 19th. Of three field officers who were attached to them, two were severely wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall, of the 9th, gallantly leading his men to the attack upon the enemy's entrenchments; and Major Trimble, of the 19th, who was shot within their works, conducting with great skill and bravery. A detachment of the 17th regiment was attached to the 21st.

I have the honour to be, &c., Jacob BROWN.

No. 40. (p. 215) PLATE XLI.

July 5 and 25, and September 17, 1814.

Major General Peter B. Porter. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.

MAJOR-GENERAL PETER BUEL PORTER.

[Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.]

MAJOR GENERAL PETER B. (Buel) PORTER. Bust of General Porter, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. A winged Victory, holding in her right hand a palm branch and a wreath of laurel, and in her left three standards, upon which are written: "ERIE" "CHIPPEWA" "NIAGARA." She dictates to the muse of History, who is seated on the ground, writing. Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA. JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA. JULY 25. 1814. ERIE. SEP. (September) 17. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

PETER BUEL PORTER was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, August 14, 1773. He was graduated at Yale College, New Haven, in 1791; and studied law and commenced practice in Canandaigua, New York, in 1795. He was a member of Congress, 1809-1813; a major-general of New York volunteers, 1813; and distinguished himself at the battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, for which Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal.[97] He was again a member of Congress, 1815-1816; was appointed a United States commissioner for determining the north-western boundary, 1816; and was secretary of War in 1828-1829. He died at Niagara Falls, March 20, 1844.

[Footnote 97: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, are given under No. 39, page 203.]

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 216)

Brigadier-General P. B. Porter to Major-General Jacob Brown.

To Jacob BROWN, Esq., Fort Erie, September 22d, 1814. Major-General commanding.

Sir: In executing the duty you have imposed on me, of reporting the conduct of the officers and men composing the left column, which you were pleased to place under my command, in the sortie of the 17th instant, the pleasure I derive in representing to you the admirable conduct of the whole, is deeply chastened by sorrow for the loss of many brave and distinguished men.

Being obliged, from the nature of the ground, to act on foot, it was impossible that my own personal observation should reach to every officer. Some part of this report must therefore rest upon the information of others.

It is the business of this communication to speak of the conduct of individuals; yet you will permit me to premise, although well known to yourself already, that the object of the left column was to penetrate by a circuitous route between the enemy's batteries, where one-third of his force was always kept on duty, and his main camp, and that it was sub-divided into three divisions: the advance of 200 riflemen, and a few Indians, commanded by Colonel Gibson, and two columns moving parallel to, and 30 yards distant from, each other. The right column was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, headed by 400 infantry, under Major Brooke, of the 23d, and followed by 500 volunteers and militia, being parts of Lieutenant-Colonels Dobbin's, M'Burney's, and Fleming's regiments, and was intended to attack the batteries.

The left column of 500 militia was commanded by Brigadier-General Davis, and comprised the commands of Lieutenant-Colonels Hopkins, Churchhill and Crosby, and was intended to hold in check any reinforcements from the enemy's camp; or both columns (circumstances requiring it, which frequently happened) to co-operate in the same object.

After carrying by storm, in the handsomest style, a strong block house, in rear of the third battery, making its garrison prisoners, destroying the three 24-pounders and their carriages in the third battery, and blowing up the enemy's magazine, and after co-operating with General Miller in taking the second battery, the gallant leaders of the three divisions all fell nearly at the same time; Colonel Gibson, at the second battery, and General Davis and Lieutenant-Colonel Wood in an assault upon the first.

Brigadier-General Davis, although a militia officer of little experience, conducted on this occasion with all the coolness and bravery of a veteran, and fell while advancing upon the enemy's entrenchments. His loss as a citizen as well as a soldier, will be severely felt in the patriotic county of Genesee. Colonel Gibson fully sustained the high military reputation which he had before so justly acquired. You know how exalted an opinion I have always entertained of Lieutenant-Colonel Wood of the engineers. His conduct on this day was what it uniformly has been, on every similar occasion, an exhibition of military skill, acute judgment, and heroic valour. Of the other regular officers, (p. 217) Lieutenant-Colonel M'Donald and Major Brooke, senior in command, will report to you in relation to their respective divisions. Permit me, however, to say of these two officers, that, much as was left to them by the fall of their distinguished leaders, they were able to sustain their parts in the most admirable manner, and they richly deserve the notice of the government.

Of the militia, I regret that the limits of a report will not permit me even to name all of those who on this occasion established claims to the gratitude of their fellow citizens; much less to particularize individual merit. Lieutenant-Colonels Hopkins, M'Burney, Churchhill and Crosby, and Majors Lee, Marcle, Wilson, Lawrence, Burr, Dunham, Kellogg and Ganson, are entitled to the highest praise for their gallant conduct, their steady and persevering exertions. Lieutenant-Colonel Dobbin being prevented by severe indisposition from taking the field, Major Hall, assistant inspector general, volunteered his services to join Major Lee in the command of the volunteer regiment; and Major Lee and every other officer speak in the highest terms of the gallant and good conduct of this young officer.

Captain Fleming, who commanded the Indians, was, as he always is, in the front of the battle. There is not a more intrepid soldier in the army. I should be ungrateful were I to omit the names of Captains Knapp and Hull of the volunteers, and Captain Parker and Lieutenant Chatfield of the militia, by whose intrepidity I was, during the action, extricated from the most unpleasant situation. Captains Richardson, Buel and Kennedy, Lieutenants Parkhurst and Brown, and Adjutants Dobbin, Bates and Robinson, particularly distinguished themselves. The patriotic conduct of Captain Elliot, with twenty young gentlemen, who volunteered from Batavia, and of Major Hubbard, with fourteen men exempted by age from military duty, should not be omitted. They were conspicuous during the action.

You will excuse me if I shall seem partial in speaking of my own family, consisting of my brigade major, Frazer, my volunteer aid-de-camp Riddle (both first lieutenants in the 15th infantry), Captain Bigger, of the Canadian volunteers, Messrs. Williams and Delapierre, volunteer aids for the day, all of whom, except Mr. Williams, were wounded.

Lieutenants Frazer and Riddle were engaged for the most of the preceding day with fatigue parties, cutting roads for the advance of the column through the swamp, and falling timber to the rear, and within 150 yards of the enemy's right; which service they executed with so much address as to avoid discovery; and on the succeeding day they conducted the two columns to the attack. Frazer was severely wounded by a musket ball while spiking a gun on the second battery. Riddle, after the first battery was carried, descended into the enemy's magazine, and after securing (with the assistance of quarter master Greene of the volunteers, whose good conduct deserves much praise) a quantity of fixed ammunition, blew up the magazine, and suffered severely by the explosion. I must solicit, through you, Sir, the attention of the general government to these meritorious young men. Captain Bigger is an excellent officer, and rendered me much assistance, but was dangerously wounded. The other young gentlemen are citizens, and deserve much credit for their activity, and for having voluntarily encountered danger. My aid-de-camp, Major Dox, was confined at Buffalo by sickness.

On the whole, Sir, I can say of the regular troops attached (p. 218) to the left column, of the veteran volunteers of Lieutenant-Colonel Dobbin's regiment, that every man did his duty, and their conduct on this occasion reflects a new lustre on their former brilliant achievements. To the militia, the compliment is justly due, and I could pay them no greater one, than to say, that they were not surpassed by the heroes of Chippewa and Niagara in steadiness and bravery.

The studied intricacy of the enemy's defences, consisting not only of the breastwork connecting their batteries, but of successive lines of entrenchments for a hundred yards in the rear, covering the batteries and enfilading each other, and the whole obstructed by abatis, brush and felled timber, was calculated to produce confusion among the assailants, and led to several contests at the point of the bayonet. But by our double columns, any temporary irregularity in the one, was always corrected by the other. Our success would probably have been more complete but for the rain which unfortunately set in soon after we commenced our march, which rendered the fire of many of our muskets useless, and by obscuring the sun, led to several unlucky mistakes. As an instance of this, a body of 50 prisoners who had surrendered, were ordered to the fort in charge of a subaltern and 14 volunteers; the officer mistaking the direction, conducted them towards the British camp in the route by which we had advanced, and they were re-taken with the whole of the guard, excepting the officer and one man, who fought their way back. Several of our stragglers were made prisoners by the same mistake. But, Sir, notwithstanding these accidents, we have reason to rejoice at our signal success, in inflicting a vastly disproportionate injury on the enemy, and in wholly defeating all his plans of operation against this army.

I have the honour to be, &c. P. B. PORTER, Brigadier General commanding Volunteers and Militia.

No. 41. (p. 219) PLATE XLII.

July 5 and 25, August 15, and September 17, 1814.

Brig. General Eleazer W. Ripley. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress Novemb. 3. 1814.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL ELEAZER WHEELOCK RIPLEY.

[Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.]

BRIG. (Brigadier) GENERAL ELEAZER W. (Wheelock) RIPLEY. Bust of General Ripley, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMB. (November) 3. 1814. A winged Victory, standing, holds in her right hand a trumpet and a crown of laurel, and with her left is hanging upon a palm tree a shield on which are the words: "CHIPPEWA" "NIAGARA" "ERIE." Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA JULY 25. 1814. ERIE. AUG. (August) 15. SEP. (September) 17 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).[98]

[Footnote 98: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the battles of Chippewa, Niagara and Erie, are given under No. 39, page 203, and No. 44, page 226.]

ELEAZER WHEELOCK RIPLEY was born in Hanover, New Hampshire, April 15, 1782. He was graduated at Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1800, and studied law. He was speaker of the Legislature of Massachusetts in 1812; a lieutenant-colonel the same year; colonel of the 21st regiment of infantry, 1813; and a brigadier-general, 1814. He distinguished himself at Chippewa, at Niagara, and at Erie, for which services he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He (p. 220) was wounded at Niagara, and again dangerously at Erie; was breveted a major-general, July 25, 1814; resigned in 1820, and settled in Louisiana, which he represented in Congress, 1835-1839. He died at West Feliciana, Louisiana, March 2, 1839.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Brigadier-General E. W. Ripley to Brigadier-General Gaines.

To BRIGADIER-GENERAL GAINES. Fort Erie, August 17th, 1814.

Sir: I take the liberty of reporting you the cause of operations on the left flank of the camp, during the action of the 15th instant.

From indications satisfactory to me, I was persuaded very early of the enemy's design of attacking us in our position. Before any alarm, I caused my brigade to occupy their alarm posts. On the first fire of the picket, Captain Towson opened his artillery upon them from Fort Williams, in a style which does him infinite credit. It was continued with very great effect upon the enemy during the whole action.

The enemy advanced with fixed bayonets, and attempted to enter our works between the fort and water. They brought ladders for the purpose of scaling, and in order to prevent their troops from resorting to any other course excepting the bayonet, had caused all the flints to be taken from their muskets. The column that approached in this direction consisted of Colonel Fischer's command, and amounted in number to at least 1,500 men; and, according to the representation of prisoners, they were 2,000 strong. The companies posted at the point of the works, which they attempted to escalade, were Captain Ross's, Captain Marston's, Lieutenant Bowman's, and Lieutenant Larned's, of the 21st regiment, not exceeding 250 men, under command of Major Wood, of the engineer corps. On the enemy's approach they opened their musketry upon them in a manner the most powerful. Fort Williams and this little band, emitted one broad uninterrupted sheet of light. The enemy were repulsed. They rallied, came on a second time to the charge, and a party waded round our line by the lake, and came in on the flank; but a reserve of two companies, posted in the commencement of the action to support this point, marched up and fired upon the party, who were all killed or taken. Five times in this manner did the enemy advance to the charge; five times were their columns beaten back in the utmost confusion by a force one-sixth of their numbers; till (p. 221) at length finding the contest unavailing, they retired. At this point we made 147 prisoners.

During the contest in this quarter, the lines of the whole of the left wing were perfectly lined, in addition to the reserves; and I found myself able to detach three companies of the 23d regiment from the left, to reinforce the troops at Fort Erie, viz.: Captain Wattles', Lieutenant Cantine's, and Lieutenant Brown's companies, and one of the 19th under Captain Chunn. They were in the fort during the time of the explosion, and their conduct is highly spoken of by Major Brooke, their commanding officer. Indeed, from the high state to which that regiment has been brought by Major Brooke, I am convinced that no troops will behave better.

In submitting to your view the conduct of the troops under my command on this occasion, I find every thing to applaud, nothing to reprehend. The utmost coolness and subordination was manifested, both by the 21st and 23d regiments. To Major Wood I feel particularly indebted. This officer's merits are so well known, that approbation can scarcely add to his reputation. He has the merit, with the Spartan band, in connection with Captain Towson's artillery, of defeating a vaunting foe of six times his force. Major Brooke did every thing in his power: and it affords me pleasure at all times to call the attention of the general commanding to this amiable and accomplished officer.

The officers commanding companies immediately engaged, have my highest commendation. Their conduct was most judicious and gallant. I cannot refrain from adverting to the manner in which Captain Towson's artillery was served. I have never seen it equalled. This officer has so often distinguished himself, that to say simply that he is in action, is a volume of eulogium; the army, only to be informed he is there, by a spontaneous assent, are at once satisfied that he has performed well his part. I have no idea that there is an artillery officer in any service superior to him in the knowledge and performance of his duty.

The officers I have mentioned as commanding companies of the 21st and 23d regiments, are particularly commended by their commanding officers. Captain Marston, a most valuable officer, commanded a first line of three companies opposed to the enemy's column. Captain Ropes commanded the companies of reserve. Major Wood reports in the highest terms of the good conduct of the subalterns. Lieutenants Riddle, of the 15th, attached to the 21st, and Hall, and ensigns Bean, Jones, Gumming, and Thomas, of the 19th, as being extremely active, and performing their duties with alacrity.

The manner in which Lieutenant Belknap, of the 23d, retired with his picket guard from before the enemy's column, excites my particular commendation. He gave orders to fire three times as he was retreating to camp, himself bringing up the rear. In this gallant manner, he kept the light advance of the enemy in check, for a distance of two or three hundred yards. I have to regret, that when entering our lines after his troops, the enemy pushed so close upon him that he received a severe wound from a bayonet.

Lieutenant Bushnel and Cissney, of the 19th, while gallantly engaged with the enemy at Fort Erie, were both severely, if not mortally, wounded. Their conduct merits the warmest approbation.

Permit me to recommend to your notice, the good conduct of my (p. 222) staff, Lieutenant Kirby, of the corps of artillery, my aid-de-camp, and Lieutenant Holding, acting brigade major; their activity and zeal was entirely to my satisfaction.

I close this long report, with stating to you, in the highest terms of approbation, the skillfulness exhibited by Doctor Fuller, surgeon of the 23d, and Doctor Trowbridge, surgeon of the 21st infantry, with their mates Doctor Gale, of the 23d, and Doctors Everett and Allen, of the 21st; their active, humane and judicious treatment of the wounded, both of the enemy and of our own, together with their steady and constant attention to the duties of their station, must have attracted your personal observation, and I am confident will receive your approbation.

I have the honour to be, etc., E. W. RIPLEY, Brigadier-General commanding 2d Brigade.

No. 42. (p. 223) PLATE XLIII.

July 5 and 25, and September 17, 1814.

Brigadier Genl. James Miller. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES MILLER.

[Victories of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie.]

BRIGADIER GEN{L}. (General) JAMES MILLER. Bust of General Miller, in uniform, facing the right. Exergue: I'LL TRY. His answer when he received the order to attack the enemy's batteries on the hill at Niagara. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. Colonel Miller, at the head of his troops, is carrying the British batteries on the hill at Niagara. Exergue: BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA. JULY 25. 1814. ERIE SEP. (September) 17. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

JAMES MILLER was born in Peterborough, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, April 25, 1776. He practiced law from 1803 to 1808, when he entered the army with the rank of major; was made a lieutenant-colonel in 1810, and distinguished himself in the West, under Harrison; and became colonel of the 21st infantry, March 9, 1814. He greatly distinguished himself at Chippewa, Niagara, and at Erie, for which he was breveted a brigadier-general and received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal.[99] At Niagara, when ordered to carry the British batteries on the heights, he made the celebrated reply, "I'll try, Sir." He resigned in 1819; and was governor of Arkansas Territory in 1819-1825, and United States collector of customs at Salem, Massachusetts, from 1825 to 1849. He died at Temple, New Hampshire, June 7, 1851.

[Footnote 99: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, are given under No. 39, page 203.]

No. 43. (p. 224) PLATE XLIV.

July 5 and 25, 1814.

Major General Winfield Scott. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814 etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT.

[Victories of Chippewa and Niagara.]

MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. Bust of General Scott, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

A serpent, entwined in a wreath of laurel and palm, is biting its tail--emblem of immortality through glory and victory. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. BATTLES OF CHIPPEWA JULY 5. 1814. NIAGARA JULY 25. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).[100],[101]

[Footnote 100: See INTRODUCTION, page ix.]

[Footnote 101: The resolution of Congress voting this medal, and the official reports of the battles of Chippewa and Niagara, are given under No. 39, page 203.]

WINFIELD SCOTT was born near Petersburg, Virginia, June 13, 1786. He was graduated at William and Mary College, Virginia, studied law, and for some time engaged in practice. He was appointed captain of light artillery, May 3, 1808, and served in Louisiana under General Wilkinson, but resigned on account of differences with him. He was made lieutenant-colonel of the 2d artillery, July 6, 1812, and was taken prisoner at Queenstown Heights, Upper Canada, in the following October. He became colonel of the 2d artillery and adjutant-general under General Dearborn, March 18, 1813, and brigadier-general March 9, 1814. He distinguished himself at Chippewa, July 5, and on July 25, at Niagara (Lundy's Lane) where he was severely wounded. Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal for Chippewa and Niagara, and he was breveted a major-general, September 14, 1814. He went on a mission to Europe in 1815; was sent to Maine to settle the boundary question in 1839, and was promoted major-general and commander-in-chief of (p. 225) the army, June 25, 1841. As commander-in-chief in Mexico he took Vera Cruz, March 26, 1847, and gained the battles of Cerro Gordo, April 18; Contreras, August 19; San Antonio and Churubusco, August 20; Molinos del Rey, September 8; Chapultepec, September 13; and occupied the City of Mexico, September 14. For this brilliant campaign Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal.[102] He received the honorary degree of LL. D. from Columbia College, New York, in 1850, and also from Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1861. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency in 1852; was made lieutenant-general, by brevet, February 28, 1855; was sent on a mission to Oregon to settle the boundary question, 1859; remained true to the Union at the outbreak of the Civil War, and resigned, November 1, 1861. He died at West Point, New York, May 29, 1866.

[Footnote 102: See No. 62, page 304.]

No. 44. (p. 226) PLATE XLV.

August 15, 1814.

Major General Edmund P. Gaines. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.

MAJOR-GENERAL EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES.

[Victory of Erie.]

MAJOR GENERAL EDMUND P. (Pendleton) GAINES. Bust of General Gaines, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. A winged Victory, standing on a British shield, holds a palm branch in her left hand, and places with her right a crown of laurel upon the cascabel of a cannon standing upright in the ground, and forming the centre of a trophy of the enemy's arms: on the cannon is the inscription ERIE. Exergue: BATTLE OF ERIE AUG. (August) 15. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).[103]

[Footnote 103: The resolution of Congress voting this medal is given under No. 39, page 203.]

EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES was born in Culpepper County, Virginia, March 20, 1777. He entered the army as ensign of infantry, 1799; became first-lieutenant, 1802; captain, 1807; major and lieutenant-colonel, 1812; colonel, 1813, and brigadier-general 1814. He greatly distinguished himself at the battle of Erie, August 15, 1814, and was badly wounded on the 28th of the same month. For his services on this occasion he was breveted major-general, September 14, 1814, and Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He served in Florida (Seminole war) and in Georgia (Creek war); and was commander of the southern and afterward of the western military districts. He died in New Orleans, June 6, 1849.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 227)

General Gaines to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Head-Quarters, Fort Erie, U. C.,[104] John ARMSTRONG, August 15th, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

[Footnote 104: U. C., Abbreviation of Upper Canada.]

Sir: My heart is gladdened with gratitude to Heaven and joy to my country, to have it in my power to inform you that the gallant army under my command has this morning beaten the enemy commanded by Lieutenant-General Drummond, after a severe conflict of nearly three hours, commencing at 2 o'clock this morning. They attacked us on each flank, got possession of the salient bastion of the old Fort Erie, which was regained at the point of the bayonet, with a dreadful slaughter. The enemy's loss in killed and prisoners, is about 600; near 300 killed. Our loss is considerable, but I think not one-tenth as great as that of the enemy. I will not detain the express to give you the particulars. I am preparing my force to follow up the blow.

With great respect, etc., Edmund P. GAINES, Brigadier-General commanding.

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General Gaines to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Head-Quarters, left wing, 2d Division, John ARMSTRONG, Fort Erie, U. C., August 23d, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to communicate, for the information of the department of war, the particulars of the battle fought at this place, on the 15th instant, between the left wing of the 2d division of the northern army, under my command, and the British forces in the Peninsula of Upper Canada, commanded by Lieutenant-General Drummond, which terminated in a signal victory in favour of the united American arms.

Our position on the margin of the lake, at the entrance of the Niagara river, being nearly a horizontal plain, twelve or fifteen feet above the surface of the water, possessing few natural advantages, had been strengthened in front by temporary parapet breast works, entrenchments and abatis, with two batteries and six field pieces. The small unfinished fort, Erie, with a 24, 18 and 12 pounder, forms the north-east, and the Douglass battery, with an 18 and 6 pounder near the edge of the lake, the south-east angle of our right. The left is defended by a redoubt battery, with six field pieces just thrown up on a small ridge. Our rear was left open to the lake, bordered by a rocky shore of easy ascent. The battery on the left was defended by Captain (p. 228) Towson; Fort Erie, by Captain Williams, with Major Trimble's command of the 19th infantry; the batteries on the front, by Captains Biddle and Fanning; the whole of the artillery commanded by Major Hindman. Parts of the 11th, 9th and 22d infantry (of the late veteran brigade of Major-General Scott) were posted on the right, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall. General Ripley's brigade, consisting of the 21st and 23d, defended on the left. General Porter's brigade of New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, with our distinguished riflemen, occupied the centre.

I have heretofore omitted stating to you, that during the 13th and 14th, the enemy had kept up a brisk cannonade, which was sharply returned from our batteries, without any considerable loss on our part. At 6 P.M. one of their shells lodged in a small magazine in Fort Erie, which was fortunately almost empty. It blew up with an explosion more awful in appearance than injurious in its effects, as it did not disable a man or derange a gun. It occasioned but a momentary cessation of the thunders of the artillery on both sides; it was followed by a loud and joyous shout by the British army, which was instantly returned on our part, and Captain Williams, amidst the smoke of the explosion, renewed the contest by an animated roar of his heavy cannon.

From the supposed loss of our ammunition, and the consequent depression such an event was likely to produce upon the minds of our men, I felt persuaded that this explosion would lead the enemy to assault, and made my arrangements accordingly.

The night was dark, and the early part of it raining, but the faithful sentinel slept not; one-third of the troops were up at their posts. At half-past two o'clock, the right column of the enemy approached, and though enveloped in darkness black as his designs and principles, was distinctly heard on our left, and promptly marked by our musketry under Major Wood, and cannon under Captain Towson. Being mounted at the moment, I repaired to the point of attack, where the sheet of fire rolling from Towson's battery, and the musketry of the left wing of the 21st infantry under Major Wood, enabled me to see the enemy's column of about 1,500 men approaching on that point, his advance was not checked, until it had approached within ten feet of our infantry. A line of loose brush representing an abatis only intervened; a column of the enemy attempted to pass round the abatis through the water, where it was nearly breast deep. Apprehending that this point would be carried, I ordered a detachment of riflemen and infantry to its support, but having met with the gallant commander, Major Wood, was assured by him that he could defend his position without reinforcements. At this moment the enemy were repulsed, but instantly renewed the charge and were again repulsed. My attention was now called to the right, where our batteries and lines were soon lighted by a most brilliant fire of cannon and musketry; it announced the approach of the centre and left columns of the enemy, under Colonels Drummond and Scott; the latter was received by the veteran 9th, under the command of Captain Foster, and Captains Broughton and Harding's companies of New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, aided by a six-pounder judiciously posted by Major M'Ree, chief engineer, who was most active and useful at this point; they were repulsed. That of the centre, led by Colonel Drummond, was not long kept in check; it approached at once every assailable point of the fort; and (p. 229) with scaling ladders ascended the parapet, but was repulsed with fearful carnage. The assault was twice repeated, and as often checked, but the enemy having moved round the ditch covered by darkness, added to the heavy cloud of smoke which had rolled from our cannon and musketry, enveloping surrounding objects, repeated the charge, re-ascended the ladders; the pikes, bayonets and spears fell upon our gallant artillerists. The gallant spirits of our favourite Captain Williams and Lieutenants M'Donough and Watmough, with their brave men, were overcome. The two former, and several of their men, received deadly wounds. Our bastion was lost; Lieutenant M'Donough, being severely wounded, demanded quarter; it was refused by Colonel Drummond. The lieutenant then seized a handspike and nobly defended himself until he was shot down with a pistol by the monster who had refused him quarter, who often reiterated the order: "Give the damned Yankees no quarter." This officer, whose bravery, if it had been seasoned with virtue, would have entitled him to the admiration of every soldier, the hardened murderer soon met his fate. He was shot through the breast while repeating the order "to give no quarter."

The battle now raged with increased fury on the right, but on the left the enemy was repulsed and put to flight. Thence and from the centre I ordered reinforcements. They were promptly sent by Brigadier-General Ripley and Brigadier-General Porter. Captain Fanning, of the corps of artillery, kept up a spirited and destructive fire with his field pieces, on the enemy attempting to approach the fort. Major Hindman's gallant efforts, aided by Major Trimble, having failed to drive the enemy from the bastion, with the remaining artillerists and infantry in the forts, Captain Birdsall, of the 4th rifle regiment, with a detachment of riflemen, gallantly rushed in through the gateway to their assistance, and with some infantry, charged the enemy, but was repulsed, and the captain severely wounded. A detachment from the 11th, 19th, and 22d infantry, under Captain Foster, of the 11th, were introduced over the interior bastion, for the purpose of charging the enemy. Major Hall, assistant inspector general, very handsomely tendered his services to lead the charge. The charge was gallantly made by Captain Foster and Major Hall, but owing to the narrowness of the passage up to the bastion, admitting only two or three men abreast, it failed. It was often repeated, and as often checked; the enemy's force on the bastion was, however, much cut to pieces and diminished by our artillery and small arms. At this moment every operation was arrested by the explosion of some cartridges deposited in the end of the stone building adjoining the contested bastion. The explosion was tremendous: it was decisive; the bastion was restored. At this moment Captain Biddle was ordered to cause a field piece to be posted so as to enfilade the exterior plain and salient glacis. The captain, though not recovered from a severe contusion in the shoulder, received from one of the enemy's shells, promptly took his position, and served his field piece with vivacity and effect. Captain Farming's battery likewise played upon them at this time with great effect. The enemy were in a few moments entirely defeated, taken or put to flight, leaving on the field 222 killed, 174 wounded, and 186 prisoners. A large portion are so severely wounded that they cannot survive; the slightly wounded, it is presumed, were carried off.

To Brigadier-General Ripley, much credit is due for the (p. 230) judicious disposition of the left wing, previous to the action, and for the steady disciplined courage manifested by him and his immediate command, and for the promptness with which he complied with my orders for reinforcement during the action. Brigadier-General Porter, commanding the New York and Pennsylvania volunteers, manifested a degree of vigilance and judgment in his preparatory arrangements, as well as military skill and courage in the action, which proves him to be worthy the confidence of his country, and the brave volunteers who fought under him. Of the volunteers, Captains Broughton and Harding with their detachments posted on the right, and attached to the line commanded by Captain E. Foster, of the veteran 9th infantry, handsomely contributed to the repulse of the left column of the enemy under Colonel Scott.

The judicious preparations and steady conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel Aspinwall commanding the first brigade, merit approbation.

To Major McRee, chief engineer, the greatest credit is due for the excellent arrangement and skillful execution of his plans for fortifying and defending the right, and for his correct and seasonable suggestions to regain the bastion. Major Wood, of the engineers, also greatly contributed to the previous measures of defence. He has accepted the command of a regiment of infantry, (the 21st,) for which he has often proved himself well qualified, but never so conspicuously as on this occasion.

Towson's battery emitted a constant sheet of fire. Wood's small arms lighted up the space, and repulsed five terrible charges made between the battery and the lake. Brigadier-General Ripley speaks in high terms of the officers and men engaged, particularly Captains Marston and Ropes, Lieutenants Riddle (of the 15th, doing duty with the 21st) and Hall; Ensigns Benn, Jones, Cummings and Thomas of the 21st, and Keally and Green of the 19th.

Major Hindman, and the whole of the artillery under the command of that excellent officer, displayed a degree of gallantry and good conduct not to be surpassed. The particular situation of Captain Towson, and the much lamented Captain Williams and Lieutenant M'Donough, and that of Lieutenant Watmough, as already described, with their respective commands, rendered them most conspicuous. The courage and good conduct of Lieutenant Zantzinger and Lieutenant Childs, is spoken of in high terms by Major Hindman and Captain Towson, as also that of Sergeant-Major Denhon. Captains Biddle and Fanning, on the centre and right of their entrenchments, threw their shot to the right, left and front, and annoyed the Indians and light troops of the enemy approaching from the woods. Lieutenant Fontaine in his zeal to meet the enemy, was unfortunately wounded and made prisoner. Lieutenant Bird was active and useful, and in fact every individual belonging to the corps did their duty.

The detachment of Scott's gallant brigade, consisting of parts of the 9th, 11th and 22d infantry, did its duty in a manner worthy the high reputation the brigade had acquired at Chippewa, and at the Falls of Niagara. The 9th, under the command of Captain Edmund Foster, was actively engaged against the left of the enemy, and with the aid of Lieutenant Douglass's corps of bombardiers, commanding the water battery, and that of the volunteers, under Captains Broughton and Harding, effected their repulse. The good conduct of Lieutenants Childs, Cushman and Foot, and Ensign Blake, deserves commendation.

The officers killed, are Captain Williams and Lieutenant (p. 231) McDonough of the artillery. Wounded, Lieutenant Watmough of the artillery; Ensign Cissney 19th; Lieutenant Bushnel 21st; Lieutenants Brown and Belknap 23d; and Captain Birdsall, 4th rifle regiment, all severely.

Lieutenant Fontaine of the artillery, who was taken prisoner, writes from the British camp, that he fortunately fell into the hands of the Indians, who, after taking his money, treated him kindly. It would seem, then, that these savages had not joined in the resolution to give no quarter.

To Major Jones, assistant adjutant-general, and Major Hull, assistant inspector-general; Captain Harris of the dragoons, volunteer aid-de-camp; Lieutenant Belton, aid-de-camp, much credit is due for their constant vigilance and strict attention to every duty previous to the action, and the steady courage, zeal, and activity, which they manifested during the action.

The surgeons, doctors Fuller 23d, Trowbridge 21st, with their mates, doctors Gale of the 23d, and Everett and Allen of the 21st, deserve the warmest approbation, for their indefatigable exertions and humane attention to the wounded of our army, as well as to the prisoners who fell into their hands.

I have the honour to be, etc., E. P. GAINES, Brigadier-General commanding.

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General Gaines to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Headquarters, Fort Erie, Upper Canada, John ARMSTRONG, August 26th, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: In my report of the battle of the 15th instant, I inadvertently omitted the names of Captain Chunn of the 19th, Lieutenants Bowman and Larned, of the 21st, and Jewett of the 11th infantry, as also my brigade major, Lieutenant Gleason, each of whom bore a conspicuous part in the action, and whom I beg leave to recommend to your notice. Lieutenants Bowman and Larned commanded companies in the 21st, which so gallantly beat the enemy's right column. Captain Chunn, with his company was doing duty with the same regiment. I also omitted mentioning that a part of this regiment pursued the enemy's right upwards of a mile, and took 100 prisoners; his left was also pursued, and more than a hundred prisoners were taken beyond our works. These facts prove that the affair was not merely a defence of our position, or a mere repulse of the enemy, as I find it called by some. As regards myself, I am satisfied with the result, and am not disposed to make any difficulty about the name by which the affair may be called; but it is due to the brave men I have the honour to command, that I should say, that the affair was to the enemy a sore beating and a defeat, and it was to us a handsome victory.

Our position is growing stronger every day by the exertions of Majors M'Ree and Wood, and the officers and men generally. We keep up a smart cannonade.

One of the enemy's pickets yesterday approached nearer to (p. 232) ours than usual. Major Brooke, officer of the day, added 100 men to our picket, attacked and drove them in with considerable loss; the major brought in about 30 muskets. In this affair however, we have to lament the loss of another gallant officer, Captain Wattles, of the 23d; our loss was otherwise inconsiderable.

I have the honour to be, &c., E. P. GAINES, Brigadier-General commanding.

No. 45. (p. 233) PLATE XLVI.

September 11, 1814.

Major General Alexander Macomb. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress November 3. 1814.

MAJOR-GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB.

[Victory of Plattsburgh.]

MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB. Bust of General Macomb, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS NOVEMBER 3. 1814. The American army repulsing the British troops, who are striving to cross the Saranac river. To the left, Plattsburgh in flames; to the right, naval battle on Lake Champlain; in the distance, Cumberland Head. Exergue: BATTLE OF PLATTSBURGH SEPT. (September) 11. 1814. FÜRST. F. (fecit).[105]

[Footnote 105: The resolution of Congress voting this medal is given under No. 39, page 203.]

ALEXANDER MACOMB was born in Detroit, April 3, 1782. He entered the army as cornet of cavalry, 1799; was 2d lieutenant, 1801; 1st lieutenant of engineers, 1802; captain, 1805; major, 1808; lieutenant-colonel 1810; colonel 3d Artillery, 1812; and brigadier-general, January, 1814. He gained the victory of Plattsburgh over the British troops, commanded by the governor-general of the Canadas, General Sir George Prevost, September 11, 1814, for which important achievement Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal, and he was breveted major-general. He was appointed chief of the engineer corps, 1821, and became major-general and commander-in-chief of the army, May 24, 1828. He died at the head-quarters of the army in Washington, June 25, 1841.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 234)

General Macomb to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable Head-Quarters, Plattsburgh, John ARMSTRONG, September 15th, 1814. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to communicate for the information of the war department, the particulars of the advance of the enemy into the territory of the United States, the circumstances attending the siege of Plattsburgh, and the defence of the posts entrusted to my charge.

The governor-general of the Canadas, Sir George Prevost, having collected all the disposable force of Lower Canada, with a view of conquering the country as far as Crown Point and Ticonderoga, entered the territories of the United States on the first of the month, and occupied the village of Champlain, there avowed his intentions, and issued orders and proclamations tending to dissuade the people from their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish his army with provisions. He immediately began to press the wagons and teams in the vicinity, and loaded them with his heavy baggage and stores. From this I was persuaded he intended to attack this place. I had but just returned from the lines, where I had commanded a fine brigade, which was broken to form the division under Major-General Izard, ordered to the westward. Being senior officer he left me in command, and except the four companies of the 6th regiment, I had not an organized battalion among those remaining. The garrison was composed of convalescents and recruits of the new regiments, all in the greatest confusion, as well as the ordnance and stores, and the works in no state of defence.

To create an emulation and zeal among the officers and men in completing the works, I divided them into detachments, and placed them near the several forts; declaring in orders, that each detachment was the garrison of its own work, and bound to defend it to the last extremity. The enemy advanced cautiously and by short marches, and our soldiers worked day and night; so that by the time he made his appearance before this place we were prepared to receive him.

General Izard named the principal work Fort Moreau, and to remind the troops of the actions of their brave countrymen, I called the redoubt on the right Fort Brown, and that on the left Fort Scott. Besides these three works, we have two block-houses strongly fortified.

Finding, on examining the returns of the garrison, that our force did not exceed fifteen hundred effective men for duty, and well informed that the enemy had as many thousands, I called on General Mooers, of the New York militia, and arranged with him plans for bringing forth the militia en masse. The inhabitants of the village fled with their families and effects, except a few worthy citizens and some boys, who formed themselves into a party, received rifles, and were exceedingly useful. By the 4th of the month, General Mooers collected about 700 militia, and advanced seven miles on the Beekmantown road, to watch the motions of the enemy, and to skirmish with him as he advanced; also to obstruct the roads with fallen trees, and to break up the bridges.

On the Lake road, at Deer Creek bridge, I posted 200 men (p. 235) under Captain Sproul, of the 13th regiment, with orders to abatis the woods, to place obstructions in the road, and to fortify himself; to this party I added two field pieces. In advance of that position, was Lieutenant-Colonel Appling, with 110 riflemen, watching the movements of the enemy and procuring intelligence. It was ascertained that before daylight on the 6th, the enemy would advance in two columns, on the two roads before mentioned, dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy village. The column on the Beekmantown road proceeded most rapidly, the militia skirmished with his advanced parties, and, except a few brave men, fell back most precipitately in the greatest disorder, notwithstanding the British troops did not deign to fire on them, except by their flankers and advanced patrols. The night previous, I ordered Major Wool to advance with a detachment of 250 men, to support the militia, and set them an example of firmness. Also Captain Leonard, of the light artillery, was directed to proceed with two pieces, to be on the ground before day; yet he did not make his appearance before 8 o'clock, when the enemy had approached within two miles of the village. With his conduct, therefore, I am not well pleased. Major Wool, with his party, disputed the road with great obstinacy, but the militia could not be prevailed on to stand, notwithstanding the exertions of their general and staff officers; although the fields were divided by strong stone walls, and they were told that the enemy could not possibly cut them off. The State dragoons of New York wear red coats, and they being on the heights to watch the enemy, gave constant alarm to the militia, who mistook them for the enemy, and feared his getting in their rear. Finding the enemy's columns had penetrated within a mile of Plattsburgh, I despatched my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Root, to bring off the detachment at Dead Creek, and to inform Lieutenant-Colonel Appling that I wished him to fall on the enemy's right flank. The colonel fortunately arrived just in time to save his retreat, and to fall in with the head of a column debouching from the woods. Here he poured in a destructive fire from his riflemen at rest, and continued to annoy the column until he formed a junction with Major Wool. The field pieces did considerable execution among the enemy's columns. So undaunted, however, was the enemy, that he never deployed in his whole march, always pressing on our columns. Finding that every road was full of troops crowding on us on all sides, I ordered the field pieces to retire across the bridge and form a battery for its protection, and to cover the retreat of the infantry, which was accordingly done, and the parties of Appling and Wool, as well as that of Sproul, retired alternately, keeping up a brisk fire until they got under cover of the works. The enemy's light troops occupied the houses near the bridge, and kept up a constant firing from the windows and balconies, and annoyed us much. I ordered them to be driven out with hot shot, which soon put the houses in flames, and obliged the sharp-shooters to retire. The whole day, until it was too late to see, the enemy's light troops endeavoured to drive our guards from the bridge, but they suffered dearly for their perseverance. An attempt was also made to cross the upper bridge, where the militia handsomely drove them back. The column which marched by the Lake road was much impeded by the obstructions and the removal of the bridge at Dead Creek, and, as it passed the creek and beach, the gallies kept up a lively and galling fire. Our troops being now all on the south side of the Saranac, I directed the planks to be taken off the bridges and piled up in the form of breastworks, to (p. 236) cover our parties intended for disputing the passage, which afterwards enabled us to hold the bridges against very superior numbers.

From the 7th to the 11th, the enemy was employed in getting on his battering train, and erecting his batteries and approaches, and constantly skirmishing at the bridges and fords. By this time, the militia of New York, and the volunteers of Vermont, were pouring in from all quarters: I advised General Mooers to keep his force along the Saranac, to prevent the enemy's crossing the river, and to send a strong body in his rear to harass him day and night, and keep him in continual alarm. The militia behaved with great spirit after the first day, and the volunteers of Vermont were exceedingly serviceable. Our regular troops, notwithstanding the constant skirmishing and repeated endeavours of the enemy to cross the river, kept at their work day and night strengthening the defences, and evinced a determination to hold out to the last extremity.

It was reported that the enemy had only waited the arrival of his flotilla, to make a general attack. About eight in the morning of the 11th, as was expected, the flotilla appeared in sight round Cumberland Head, and at nine, bore down and engaged our flotilla at anchor in the bay off the town. At the same instant, the batteries were opened on us, and continued throwing bomb shells, shrapnels, balls, and congreve rockets until sunset, when the bombardment ceased, every battery of the enemy being silenced by the superiority of our fire. The naval engagement lasted but two hours, in full view of both armies. Three efforts were made by the enemy to pass the river, at the commencement of the cannonade and bombardment, with a view of assaulting the works, and he had prepared for that purpose an immense number of scaling ladders. One attempt to cross was made at the village bridge, another at the upper bridge, and a third at a ford about three miles from the works. At the two first he was repulsed by the regulars; at the ford, by the brave volunteers and militia, where he suffered severely in killed, wounded, and prisoners; a considerable body having crossed the stream, but were either killed, taken, or driven back. The woods at this place were very favourable to the operations of the militia. A whole company of the 76th regiment was here destroyed, the three lieutenants and 27 men prisoners, the captain and the rest killed.

I cannot forego the pleasure of here stating the gallant conduct of Captain M'Glassin, of the 15th regiment, who was ordered to ford the river, and attack a party constructing a battery on the right of the enemy's line, within five hundred yards of Fort Brown, which he handsomely executed at midnight with fifty men; drove off the working party, consisting of one hundred and fifty, and defeated a covering party of the same number, killing one officer and six men in the charge, and wounding many. At dusk the enemy withdrew his artillery from the batteries, and raised the siege; at nine, under cover of the night, he sent off in a great hurry all the baggage he could find transport for, and also his artillery. At two next morning the whole army precipitately retreated, leaving the sick and wounded to our generosity, and the governor left a note with a surgeon requesting the humane attention of the commanding general.

Vast quantities of provisions were left behind and destroyed, also an immense quantity of bombshells, cannon balls, grape shot, ammunition, flints, &c., &c.; intrenching tools of all (p. 237) sorts, also tents and marquees. A great deal has been found concealed in the ponds and creeks, and buried in the ground, and a vast quantity carried off by the inhabitants. Such was the precipitancy of his retreat, that he arrived at Chazy, a distance of eight miles, before we had discovered he had gone. The light troops, volunteers, and militia pursued immediately on learning of his flight; and some of the mounted men made prisoners five dragoons of the 19th regiment, and several others of the rear guard. A continued fall of rain and a violent storm prevented further pursuit. Upwards of 300 deserters have come in, and many are hourly arriving. We have buried the British officers of the army and navy with the honours of war, and shown every attention and kindness to those who have fallen into our hands.

The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of my command, during this trying occasion, cannot be represented in too high terms, and I feel it my duty to recommend to the particular notice of government, Lieutenant-Colonel Appling of the 1st rifle corps, Major Wool of the 29th, Major Totten of the corps of engineers, Captain Brooks of the artillery, Captain M'Glassin of the 15th, Lieutenants De Russy and Trescott of the corps of engineers, Lieutenants Smyth, Mountford, and Cromwell of the artillery, also my aid-de-camp Lieutenant Root, who have all distinguished themselves by their uncommon zeal and activity, and have been greatly instrumental in producing the happy and glorious result of the siege.

I have the honour to be, &c., Alexander MACOMB.

The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters, since his first appearance, cannot fall short of 2,500, including many officers, among whom is Colonel Wellington, of the Buffs.

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Resolution of Congress Voting Rifles to Martin F. Aitkin and others.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby authorized to cause to be delivered to Martin J. Aitkin, Azariah C. Flagg, Ira A. Wood, Gustavus A. Bird, James Trowbridge, Hazen Mooers, Henry K. Averill, St. John B. L. Skinner, Frederick P. Allen, Hiram Walworth, Ethan Everist, Amos Soper, James Patten, Bartemus Brooks, Smith Bateman, Melancthon W. Travis and Flavel Williams, each, one rifle, promised them by General Macomb, while commanding the Champlain department, for their gallantry and patriotic services as a volunteer corps, during the siege of Plattsburgh in September, one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, on each of which said rifles there shall be a plate containing an appropriate inscription.

Approved May 20, 1826.

No. 46. (p. 238) PLATE XLVII.

January 8, 1815.

Major General Andrew Jackson. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress February 27. 1815.

MAJOR-GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON.

[Victory of New Orleans.]

MAJOR GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON. Bust of General Jackson, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS FEBRUARY 27. 1815. A winged Victory, holding in her left hand a crown of laurel, and a tablet upon which she has written, at the dictation of Peace, the word ORLEANS. Exergue: BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS JANUARY 8. 1815. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

ANDREW JACKSON was born in the Waxhaw Settlement, North Carolina, March 15, 1767. His parents had recently emigrated from Ireland, and he lost them both early in life. In 1781 he joined the Continental Army and served in North Carolina. Having studied law, he removed, in 1788, to Nashville. He was the first member of Congress from Tennessee, in 1796; was United States senator, 1797-1798; judge of the Supreme Court of Tennessee, 1799; resigned in 1804, and retired to his farm, called "The Hermitage," near Nashville. As major-general of the Tennessee Volunteers, he gained victories over the Creek Indians at Talladega, November 9, 1813, at Emuckfaw and Enotochopco, January 22 and 24, and at Tohopeka, March 27, 1814. He was appointed brigadier-general in the United States Army on April 19, (p. 239) major-general on May 1, 1814, and commander-in-chief for the defence of Louisiana against the British troops under General Packenham, whom he completely defeated at the battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815. For this great victory Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He retired from the army, 1819, was governor of Florida territory, 1821, United States senator from Tennessee, 1823-1824, unsuccessful presidential candidate in 1824, and President of the United States (first term), 1829-1833; (second term), 1833-1837. He retired to the Hermitage in 1837, and died there June 8, 1845. He was known by the sobriquet of "Old Hickory."

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Jackson.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, given to Major-General Jackson, and, through him, to the officers and soldiers of the regular army, of the militia and of the volunteers, under his immediate command, and to the officers and soldiers charged with the defence of Fort St. Philip, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct, conspicuously displayed against the enemy, from the time of his landing before New Orleans until his final expulsion from the State of Louisiana, and particularly for the valour, skill, and good conduct on the eighth of January last, in repulsing, with great slaughter, a numerous British army of chosen veteran troops, when attempting by a bold and daring attack to carry by storm the works hastily thrown up for the protection of New Orleans, and thereby obtaining a most signal victory over the enemy with a disparity of loss, on his part, unexampled in military annals.

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

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolution to be communicated to Major-General Jackson in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the objects thereof.

Approved February 27, 1815.

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General Jackson to the Secretary of War. (p. 240)

To the Honourable Head Quarters, SECRETARY OF WAR, Camp 4 miles below New Orleans, Washington, D. C. January 13th, 1815.

Sir: At such a crisis, I conceive it my duty to keep you constantly advised of my situation.

On the 10th instant I forwarded you an account of the bold attempt made by the enemy on the morning of the 8th to take possession of my works by storm, and of the severe repulse he met with. That report having been sent by the mail which crosses the lake, may possibly have miscarried; for which reason I think it the more necessary briefly to repeat the substance of it.

Early on the morning of the 8th, the enemy having been actively employed the two preceding days in making preparations for a storm, advanced in two strong columns on my right and left. They were received, however, with a firmness which it seems they little expected, and which defeated all their hopes. My men, undisturbed by their approach, which indeed they long anxiously wished for, opened upon them a fire so deliberate and certain as rendered their scaling ladders and fascines, as well as their more direct implements of war, perfectly useless. For upwards of an hour it was continued with a briskness of which there have been but few instances, perhaps in any country. In justice to the enemy, it must be said, they withstood it as long as could be expected from the most determined bravery. At length, however, when all prospect of success became hopeless, they fled in confusion from the field, leaving it covered with their dead and wounded. Their loss was immense. I had at first computed it at 1500, but it is since ascertained to have been much greater. Upon information which is believed to be correct, Colonel Hayne, the inspector-general, reports it to be in total 2600. His report I enclose you. My loss was inconsiderable, being only seven killed and six wounded. Such a disproportion in loss, when we consider the number and kind of troops engaged, must, I know, excite astonishment, and may not everywhere be fully credited; yet I am perfectly satisfied that the account is not exaggerated on the one part, nor underrated on the other.

The enemy, having hastily quitted a post which they had gained possession of on the other side of the river, and we having immediately returned to it, both armies at present occupy their former positions. Whether, after the severe losses he has sustained, he is preparing to return to his shipping, or to make still mightier efforts to attain his first object, I do not pretend to determine. It becomes me to act as though the latter were his intention. One thing, however, seems certain, that if he still calculates on effecting what he has hitherto been unable to accomplish, he must expect considerable reinforcements, as the force with which he landed must undoubtedly be diminished by at least 3000. Besides the loss which he sustained on the night of the 23d ultimo, which is estimated at 400, he cannot have suffered less between that period and the morning of the 18th instant than 3000; having, within that time, been repulsed in two general attempts to drive us from our position, and there having been continual cannonading and skirmishing during the whole of it. Yet he is still able to show a very formidable force.

There is little doubt that the commanding general, Sir Edward (p. 241) Packenham, was killed in the action of the 8th, and that Major-Generals Keane and Gibbs were badly wounded.

Whenever a more leisure moment shall occur, I will take the liberty to make and forward you a more circumstantial account of the several actions, and particularly that of the 8th, in doing which my chief motive will be to render justice to those brave men I have the honour to command, and who have so remarkably distinguished themselves.

I have the honour to be, &c., Andrew JACKSON.

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General Jackson to the Secretary of War.

To the Honourable SECRETARY OF WAR, Camp below New Orleans, Washington, D. C. January 19th, 1815.

Sir: Last night at 12 o'clock, the enemy precipitately decamped, and returned to their boats, leaving behind them, under medical attendance, eighty of his wounded, including two officers, 14 pieces of his heavy artillery, and a quantity of shot, having destroyed much of his powder. Such was the situation of the ground he abandoned, and of that through which he retired, protected by canals, redoubts, entrenchments and swamps on his right, and the river on his left, that I could not, without encountering a risk which true policy did not seem to require, or to authorize, attempt to annoy him much on his retreat. We took only eight prisoners.

Whether it is the purpose of the enemy to abandon the expedition altogether, or renew his efforts at some other point, I do not pretend to determine with positiveness. In my own mind, however, there is but little doubt that his last exertions have been made in this quarter, at any rate for the present season, and by the next I hope we shall be fully prepared for him. In this belief I am strengthened not only by the prodigious loss he has sustained at the position he has just quitted, but by the failure of his fleet to pass Fort St. Philip.

His loss on this ground, since the debarkation of his troops, as stated by the last prisoners and deserters, and as confirmed by many additional circumstances, must have exceeded four thousand; and was greater in the action of the 8th than was estimated, from the most correct data then in his possession, by the inspector-general, whose report has been forwarded to you. We succeeded, on the 8th, in getting from the enemy about 1000 stand of arms of various descriptions.

Since the action of the 8th, the enemy has been allowed very little respite; my artillery from both sides of the river being constantly employed, till the night, and indeed until the hour of their retreat, in annoying them. No doubt they thought it quite time to quit a position in which so little rest could be found.

I am advised by Major Overton, who commanded at Fort St. Philip, in a letter of the 18th, that the enemy having bombarded his fort for 8 or 9 days from 13-inch mortars without effect, had, on the morning of that day, retired. I have little doubt that he would have been able to have sunk their vessels had they attempted to run by.

Giving the proper weight to all these considerations, I (p. 242) believe you will not think me too sanguine in the belief that Louisiana is now clear of its enemy. I hope, however, I need not assure you, that wherever I command, such a belief shall never occasion any relaxation in the measures for resistance. I am but too sensible that the moment when the enemy is opposing us, is not the most proper to provide for them.

I have the honour to be, etc., Andrew JACKSON.

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General Jackson's Farewell Address to his Army.

New Orleans, March, 1815.

The major-general is at length enabled to perform the pleasing task of restoring to Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana, and the territory of the Mississippi, the brave troops who have acted such a distinguished part in the war which has just terminated. In restoring these brave men to their homes, much exertion is expected of, and great responsibility imposed on, the commanding officers of the different corps. It is required of Major-Generals Carroll and Thomas, and Brigadier-General Coffee, to march their commands, without unnecessary delay, to their respective states. The troops from the Mississippi territory and state of Louisiana, both militia and volunteers, will be immediately mustered out of service, paid, and discharged.

The major-general has the satisfaction of announcing the approbation of the President of the United States to the conduct of the troops under his command, expressed, in flattering terms, through the honourable Secretary of War.

In parting with those brave men, whose destinies have been so long united with his own, and in whose labours and glories it is his happiness and his boast to have participated, the commanding general can neither suppress his feelings, nor give utterance to them as he ought. In what terms can he bestow suitable praise on merit so extraordinary, so unparalleled? Let him, in one burst of joy, gratitude, and exultation, exclaim, "These are the saviours of their country; these the patriot soldiers, who triumphed over the invincibles of Wellington, and conquered the conquerors of Europe!" With what patience did you submit to privations; with what fortitude did you endure fatigue; what valour did you display in the day of battle! You have secured to America a proud name among the nations of the earth; a glory which will never perish.

Possessing those dispositions which equally adorn the citizen and the soldier, the expectations of your country will be met in peace, as her wishes have been gratified in war. Go, then, my brave companions, to your homes; to those tender connections and blissful scenes which render life so dear; full of honour, and crowned with laurels that will never fade. When participating in the bosoms of your families, the enjoyment of peaceful life, with what happiness will you not look back to the toils you have borne, to the dangers you have encountered? How will all your past exposures be converted into sources of inexpressible delight? Who, that never experienced your sufferings, will (p. 243) be able to appreciate your joys? The man who slumbered ingloriously at home, during your painful marches, your nights of watchfulness, and your days of toil, will envy you the happiness which these recollections will afford; still more will he envy the gratitude of that country which you have so eminently contributed to save.

Continue, fellow-soldiers, on your passage to your several destinations, to preserve that subordination, that dignified and manly deportment, which have so ennobled your character.

While the commanding general is thus giving indulgence to his feelings, towards those brave companions, who accompanied him through difficulties and danger, he cannot permit the names of Blount, and Shelby, and Holmes, to pass unnoticed. With what generous ardour and patriotism have these distinguished governors contributed all their exertions to provide the means of victory! The recollection of their exertions, and of the success which has resulted, will be to them a reward more grateful than any which the pomp of title, or the splendour of wealth, can bestow.

What happiness it is to the commanding general, that, while danger was before him, he was, on no occasion, compelled to use, towards his companions in arms, either severity or rebuke. If, after the enemy had retired, improper passions began their empire in a few unworthy bosoms, and rendered a resort to energetic measures necessary for their suppression, he has not confounded the innocent with the guilty, the seduced with the seducers. Towards you, fellow-soldiers, the most cheering recollections exist, blended, alas! with regret, that disease and war should have ravished from us so many worthy companions. But the memory of the cause in which they perished, and of the virtues which animated them while living, must occupy the place where sorrow would claim to dwell.

Farewell, fellow-soldiers. The expression of your general's thanks is feeble; but the gratitude of a country of freemen is yours, yours the applause of an admiring world.

Andrew JACKSON, Major-General commanding.

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Resolutions of Congress complimentary to Commodore D. T. Patterson and others.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the Congress entertain a high sense of the valour and good conduct of Commodore D. T. Patterson, of the officers, petty officers, and seamen attached to his command for their prompt and efficient co-operation with General Jackson in the late gallant and successful defence of the city of New Orleans when assailed by a powerful British force.

Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the valour and good conduct of Major Daniel Carmick, of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and marines under his command, in the defence of the said city, on the late memorable occasion.

Approved February 15, 1815.

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Resolutions of Congress complimentary to the People of the State (p. 244) of Louisiana, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That Congress entertain a high sense of the patriotism, fidelity, zeal, and courage with which the people of the State of Louisiana promptly and unanimously stepped forth, under circumstances of imminent danger from a powerful invading army, in defence of all the individual, social and political rights held dear to man. Congress declare and proclaim, that the brave Louisianians deserve well of the whole people of the United States.

Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the generosity, benevolence, and humanity displayed by the people of New Orleans in voluntarily affording the best accommodations in their power, and giving the kindest attention to the wounded, not only of our own army, but also to the wounded prisoners of a vanquished foe.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to His Excellency the Governor of Louisiana, accompanied with the request that he cause the greatest possible publicity to be given to them for the information of the whole people of Louisiana.

Approved February 15, 1815.

No. 47. (p. 245) PLATE XLVIII.

February 20, 1815.

Carolus Stewart navis Amer. Constitution dux. [Rx]. Una victoriam eripuit ratibus binis.

CAPTAIN CHARLES STEWART.

[Capture of the Cyane and of the Levant.]

CAROLUS STEWART NAVIS AMER. (Americanæ) CONSTITUTION DUX. (_Charles Stewart, captain of the American vessel Constitution._) Bust of Captain Stewart, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

UNA VICTORIAM ERIPUIT RATIBUS BINIS. (He snatched victory from two vessels with one.) Naval action between the United States frigate Constitution, of fifty-two guns, Captain Stewart, and the British frigate Cyane, of thirty-four guns, Captain Falcon, and the sloop-of-war Levant, of twenty-one guns, Captain the Honorable George Douglas. The Constitution, to windward, is opening with her port battery on the Levant; both British vessels are returning the fire from their starboard batteries. Exergue: INTER CONSTITU. NAV. AMERI. ET LEVANT ET CYANE NAV. ANG. DIE XX. FEBR. MDCCCXV. (Inter Constitution navem Americanam et Levant et Cyane naves Anglicanas, die 20 Februarii, 1815: Between the American vessel Constitution and the English vessels Levant and Cyane, on the 20th of February, 1815.) On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

CHARLES STEWART was born in Philadelphia, July 18, 1778. He began life in the merchant service, but entered the navy as lieutenant, March 13, 1798. He served in the West Indies, and afterward in the Tripolitan campaign, commanding the Siren. He escorted the Intrepid to (p. 246) Tripoli when Decatur blew up the Philadelphia, and was promoted to the rank of master-commandant, May 19, 1804, and of captain, April 22, 1806. While in command of the frigate Constitution he fought and captured, February 20, 1815, the two British ships-of-war, Cyane, Captain Gordon Falcon, and Levant, Captain the Honorable George Douglas, for which brilliant action he received the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He commanded in the Mediterranean from 1816 to 1820; in the Pacific from 1821 to 1823; was member of the Naval Board from 1830 to 1833; commanded the navy yard at Philadelphia, 1837; and was put on the retired list in 1857; but was replaced on the active list as senior flag officer, 1859, and was appointed rear-admiral on the retired list, 1862. He died at Bordentown, New Jersey, November 7, 1869.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Stewart, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby requested, to present to Captain Charles Stewart, of the frigate Constitution, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver medal,[106] with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said frigate, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the gallantry, good conduct and services of Captain Stewart, his officers and crew, in the capture of the British vessels of war, the Cyane and Levant, after a brave and skilful combat.

[Footnote 106: The silver medals are copies of the gold medal given to Captain Stewart.]

Approved February 22, 1816.

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Captain Stewart to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States Frigate Constitution, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, May, 1815. Washington, D. C.

Sir: On the 20th of February last, the island of Madeira bearing about west southwest, distant 60 leagues, we fell in with His Britannic Majesty's two ships-of-war, the Cyane and Levant, (p. 247) and brought them to action about 6 o'clock in the evening, both of which, after a spirited engagement of 40 minutes, surrendered to the ship under my command.

Considering the advantages derived by the enemy from a divided and more active force, as also their superiority in the weight and number of guns, I deem the speedy and decisive result of this action the strongest assurance which can be given to the government that all under my command did their duty, and gallantly supported the reputation of American seamen.

Enclosed you will receive the minutes of the action, and a list of the killed and wounded on board this ship; also enclosed you will receive for your information a statement of the actual force of the enemy, and the number killed and wounded on board their ships, as near as could be ascertained.

I have the honour to be, &c., Charles STEWART.

American loss: 3 killed, 12 wounded. British loss: 35 killed, 42 wounded. Prisoners taken, 313.

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Minutes of the action between the United States frigate Constitution, and His Britannic Majesty's skips Cyane and Levant, on the 20th February, 1815.

Commences with light breezes from the east, and cloudy weather. At one, discovered a sail two points on the larboard bow, hauled up and made sail in chase. At a quarter past one, made the sail to be a ship; at three-quarters past one, discovered another sail ahead; made them out at two P.M. to be both ships, standing close hauled, with their starboard tacks on board; at four P.M. the weathermost ship made signals, and bore up to her consort, then about 10 miles to leeward; we bore up after her, and set lower top-mast, top-gallant, and royal studding-sails in chase; at half-past four, carried away our main royal mast; took in the sails and got another prepared; at five P.M. commenced firing on the chase from our two larboard bow guns; our shot falling short, ceased firing; at half-past five, finding it impossible to prevent their junction, cleared ship for action, then about four miles from the two ships; at forty minutes after five, they passed within hail of each other, and hauled by the wind on the starboard tack, hauled up their courses, and prepared to receive us: at forty-five minutes past five, they made all sail close hauled by the wind, in hopes of getting to the windward of us; at fifty-five minutes past five, finding themselves disappointed in their object, and we were closing with them fast, they shortened sail, and formed on a line of wind, about half a cable's length from each other. At six P.M. having them under command of our battery, hoisted our colours, which was answered by both ships hoisting English ensigns. At five minutes past six, ranged up on the starboard side of the sternmost ship, about 300 yards distant, and commenced the action by broadsides, both ships returning our fire with the greatest spirit for about fifteen minutes, then the fire of the enemy beginning to slacken, and the great column of smoke collected under our lee, induced (p. 248) us to cease our fire to ascertain their positions and conditions. In about three minutes the smoke clearing away, we found ourselves abreast of the headmost ship, the sternmost ship luffing up for our larboard quarter; we poured a broadside into the headmost ship, and then braced aback our main and mizzen topsails, and backed astern under cover of the smoke, abreast the sternmost ship, when the action was continued with spirit and considerable effect until 35 minutes past 6, when the enemy's fire again slackened, and we discovered the headmost bearing up; filled our topsails, shot ahead, and gave her two stern rakes. We then discovered the sternmost ship wearing also; wore ship immediately after her, and gave her a stern rake, she luffing to on our starboard bow and giving us her larboard broadside. We ranged upon her larboard quarter, within hail, and were about to give her our starboard broadside, when she struck her colours, fired a lee gun and yielded. At fifty minutes past six took possession of His Britannic Majesty's ship Cyane, Captain Gordon Falcon, mounting 34 guns. At 8 P.M. filled away after her consort, which was still in sight to leeward. At half-past eight found her standing towards us, with her starboard tacks close hauled, with top-gallant sails set and colours flying. At 50 minutes past 8 ranged close alongside to windward of her, on opposite tacks, and exchanged broadsides; wore immediately under her stern, and raked her with a broadside. She then crowded all sail and endeavoured to escape by running, hauled on board our tacks, set spanker and flying-jib in chase. At half-past 9 commenced firing on her from our starboard bow chaser; gave her several shot, which cut her spars and rigging considerably. At 10 P.M. finding they could not escape, fired a gun, struck her colours, and yielded. We immediately took possession of His Britannic Majesty's ship Levant, Hon. Captain George Douglas, mounting 21 guns. At 1 A.M. the damages of our rigging were repaired, sails shifted, and the ship in fighting condition.

No. 48. (p. 249) PLATE XLIX.

March 23, 1815.

The Congress of the U. S. to Capt. James Biddle, etc. [Rx]. Capture of the British ship Penguin by the U. S. ship Hornet.

CAPTAIN JAMES BIDDLE.

[Capture of the Penguin.]

THE CONGRESS OF THE U. S. (United States) TO CAPT. (Captain) JAMES BIDDLE. FOR HIS GALLANTRY GOOD CONDUCT AND SERVICES. Bust of Captain Biddle, in uniform, facing the right FÜRST. F. (fecit).

CAPTURE OF THE BRITISH SHIP PENGUIN BY THE U. S. (United States) SHIP HORNET. Naval action between the United States sloop-of-war Hornet, of eighteen guns, Captain Biddle, and the British sloop-of-war Penguin, of nineteen guns, Captain Dickenson. The Hornet, to windward, is raking the Penguin. The British vessel has lost her main-top-gallant-mast In the distance the peak of Tristan d'Acunha. Exergue: OFF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA MARCH XXIII MDCCCXV. On the platform, FÜRST. F. (fecit).

JAMES BIDDLE was born in Philadelphia, February 28, 1783. He entered the navy as a midshipman in 1800, and went to the Mediterranean with Captain Bainbridge. He was wrecked in the Philadelphia, and was a prisoner in Tripoli for nearly two years; was a lieutenant in 1807, and first lieutenant of the Wasp in 1812, when she captured the Frolic. For his conduct on this occasion he was promoted to the rank of master-commandant. While in command of the sloop-of-war Hornet he captured the British sloop-of-war Penguin, Captain Dickenson, March 23, 1815, receiving for this gallant deed the thanks of Congress and a gold medal. He became a captain in the same year, and commanded (p. 250) the Mediterranean squadron, 1830-1832. He was governor of the Naval Asylum in Philadelphia, 1838-1842; commanded the East India squadron, 1845, and was on the west coast of Mexico during the Mexican war. He died in Philadelphia, October 1, 1848.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to Captain Biddle, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to present to Captain James Biddle, of the sloop of war Hornet, a gold medal, with suitable emblems and devices, and a silver medal,[107] with suitable emblems and devices, to each commissioned officer of the said sloop of war, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress, of the gallantry, good conduct, and services of Captain Biddle, his officers and crew, in capturing the British sloop of war Penguin, after a brave and skilful combat.

[Footnote 107: The silver medals are copies of the one in gold to Captain Biddle.]

Approved February 22, 1816.

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Captain Biddle to the Secretary of the Navy.

To the Honourable United States sloop Hornet, SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, Off Tristan D'Acunha, March 25th, 1815. Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you, that on the morning of the 23d instant, at half past ten, when about to anchor off the north end of the island of Tristan d'Acunha, a sail was seen to the southward and eastward, steering to the westward, the wind fresh from the S. S. W. In a few minutes she had passed on to the westward, so that we could not see her for the land. I immediately made sail for the westward, and shortly after getting in sight of her again, perceived her to bear up before the wind. I hove to for him to come down to us. When she had approached near, I filled the main-topsail, and continued to yaw the ship, while she continued to come down, wearing occasionally to prevent her passing under our stern. At 1.40 P.M. being within nearly musket shot distance, she hauled her wind on the starboard tack, hoisted English colours and fired a gun. We immediately luffed to, hoisted our ensign and gave the enemy a broadside. The action being thus commenced, a quick and well directed fire was (p. 251) kept up from this ship, the enemy gradually driving near to us, when at 1.05 minutes he bore up apparently to run us on board. As soon as I perceived he would certainly fall on board, I called the boarders, so as to be ready to repel any attempt to board us. At the instant every officer and man repaired to the quarterdeck, where the two vessels were coming in contact, and eagerly pressed me to permit them to board the enemy; but this I would not permit, as it was evident, from the commencement of the action, that our fire was greatly superior both in quickness and effect. The enemy's bowsprit came in between our main and mizzen rigging, on our starboard side, affording him an opportunity to board us, if such was his design, but no attempt was made. There was a considerable swell on, and as the sea lifted us ahead, the enemy's boom carried away our mizzen shrouds, stern davits, and spanker boom, and he hung upon our larboard quarter. At this moment an officer, who was afterwards recognized to be Mr. M'Donald, the first lieutenant, and the then commanding officer, called out that they had surrendered. I directed the marines and musketry men to cease firing, and, while on the taffrail asking if they had surrendered, I received a wound in the neck. The enemy had just then got clear of us, and his fore-mast and bowsprit being both gone, and perceiving us wearing to give a fresh broadside, he again called out that he had surrendered. It was with difficulty I could restrain my crew from firing into him again, as he had certainly fired into us after having surrendered. From the firing of the first gun, to the last time the enemy cried out he had surrendered, was exactly 22 minutes by the watch. She proved to be His Britannic Majesty's sloop of war Penguin, mounting six 32 pound carronades, two long 12's, a 12 pound carronade on the top-gallant fore-castle, with swivels on the capstern in the tops. She had a spare port forward, so as to fight both her long guns a side. She sailed from England in September last. She was shorter upon deck than this ship, by two feet, but she had a greater length of keel, greater breadth of beam, thicker sides, and higher bulwarks than this ship, and was in all respects a remarkably fine vessel of her class. The enemy acknowledge a complement of 132, 12 of them supernumerary marines from the Medway 74, received on board in consequence of their being ordered to cruise for the American privateer Young Wasp. They acknowledge, also, a loss of 14 killed and 28 wounded; but Mr. Mayo, who was in charge of the prize, assures me that the number of killed was certainly greater. Among the killed is Captain Dickenson, who fell at the close of the action, and the boatswain; among the wounded is the second lieutenant, purser, and two midshipmen. Each of the midshipmen lost a leg. We received on board, in all, 118 prisoners, four of whom have since died of their wounds. Having removed the prisoners, and taken on board such provisions and stores as would be useful to us, I scuttled the Penguin this morning, before daylight, and she went down. As she was completely riddled by our shot, her foremast and bowsprit both gone, and her main-mast so crippled as to be incapable of being secured, it seemed unadvisable, at this distance from home, to attempt sending her to the United States.

This ship did not receive a single round shot in her hull, nor any material wound in her spars; the rigging and sails were very much cut; but having bent a new suit of sails and knotted and secured our rigging, we are now completely ready, in all (p. 252) respects, for any service. We were eight men short of complement, and had nine upon the sick list the morning of the action.

Enclosed is a list of killed and wounded. I lament to state that Lieutenant Conner is wounded dangerously. I feel great solicitude on his account, as he is an officer of much promise, and his loss would be a serious loss to the service.

It is a most pleasing part of my duty to acquaint you that the conduct of Lieutenants Conner and Newton, Mr. Mayo, Acting-Lieutenant Brownlow, of the marines, sailing master Romney, and other officers, seamen, and marines I have the honour to command, was in the highest degree creditable to them, and calls for my warmest recommendation. I cannot, indeed, do justice to their merits. The satisfaction which was diffused throughout the ship when it was ascertained that the stranger was an enemy's sloop of war, and the alacrity with which every one repaired to quarters, fully assured me that their conduct in the action would be marked with coolness and intrepidity.

The loss on board the Hornet, was 1 killed and 11 wounded.

I have the honour to be, &c., J. BIDDLE.

No. 49. (p. 253) PLATE L.

March 4, 1817--March 4, 1825.

James Monroe President of the U. S. A. D. 1817. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JAMES MONROE.

[Fifth President of the United States of America.]

JAMES MONROE PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. (United States) A. D. (Anno Domini: The year of our Lord) 1817. Bust of President Monroe, 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 a tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

JAMES MONROE was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, April 28, 1758. He was educated at William and Mary College, Virginia, served with distinction in the revolutionary war from 1776 to 1778; was member of the Virginia Assembly, 1782; delegate to Congress, 1783-1786; senator of the United States, 1790-1794; minister to France, 1794-1796; governor of Virginia, 1799-1802; was sent on a special mission to France for the acquisition of Louisiana, 1802; was minister to England, 1803-1808; and to Spain, 1805; governor of Virginia, 1810; secretary of State under President Madison, 1811-1817; acting secretary of War, 1814-1815; President of the United States (first term), 1817-1821; (second term), 1821-1825. He died in the city of New York, July 4, 1831, on the fifty-fifth anniversary of the Independence of the United States.

No. 50. (p. 254) PLATE LI.

October 5, 1813.

Major General William H. Harrison. [Rx]. Resolution of Congress April 4. 1818.

MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

[Victory of the Thames.]

MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM H. (Henry) HARRISON. Bust of General Harrison, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS APRIL 4, 1818. America, personified as a maiden, with a spear in her right hand and resting on the American shield, places with her left a crown of laurel on a trophy formed of the arms of the enemy, on which hangs a buckler, with the inscription FORT MEIGS BATTLE OF THE THAMES. Exergue: BATTLE OF THE THAMES OCTOBER 5. 1813. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON was born in Berkeley, Charles City County, Virginia, February 9, 1773. He entered the army as ensign in 1791; served in the north-west against the Indians, under General St. Clair, and afterward under General Wayne, to whom he was aid-de-camp; became captain in 1795; resigned in 1797; was appointed secretary of the North-west territory, and was its delegate in Congress, 1799. He was governor of the territory of Indiana, 1801-1813; defeated Tecumseh at Tippecanoe, November 7, 1811; was made brigadier-general and commander of the North-west territory in 1812, major-general in 1813; gallantly defended Fort Meigs, and defeated the British army at the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, for which victory Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He resigned his commission shortly afterwards. Was a member of Congress from Ohio, 1816-1819; Ohio State senator, 1819-1824; United States senator, 1825-1828, and (p. 255) President of the United States, March 4, 1841. He died in the White House, Washington, on April 4, one month after his inauguration. He was known in the West by the sobriquet of "Old Tippecanoe." No presidential medal of him was struck.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

_Resolutions of Congress Voting Medals to General Harrison and Governor Shelby, etc._

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Major-General William Henry Harrison, and Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky, and, through them, to the officers and men under their command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the combined British and Indian forces under Major-General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, on the fifth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen, capturing the British army, with their baggage, camp equipage and artillery; and that the President of the United States be requested to cause two gold medals to be struck, emblematical of this triumph, and presented to General Harrison and Isaac Shelby, late Governor of Kentucky.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to present to Colonel Richard M. Johnson a sword, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of the daring and distinguished valour displayed by himself and the regiment of volunteers under his command, in charging and essentially contributing to vanquish the combined British and Indian forces under Major-General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, on the fifth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and thirteen.

Approved April 4, 1818.

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General Harrison to the Secretary of War.

To Headquarters, near Moravian Town, GENERAL JOHN ARMSTRONG, On the river Thames, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. 80 miles from Detroit, October 5, 1813.

Sir: I have the honour to inform you that, by the blessing of Providence, the army under my command has obtained a complete victory over the combined Indian and British forces under (p. 256) the command of General Proctor. I believe that nearly the whole of the enemy's regulars are taken or killed. Amongst the former are all the superior officers, excepting General Proctor. My mounted men are now in pursuit of him. Our loss is very trifling. The brave Colonel R. M. Johnson is the only officer whom I have heard of that is wounded, he badly, but I hope not dangerously.

I have the honour to be, &c., William H. HARRISON.

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General Harrison to the Secretary of War.

To GENERAL JOHN ARMSTRONG, Head Quarters, Detroit, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. October 9th, 1813.

Sir: In my last letter from Sandwich, of the 30th ultimo, I did myself the honour to inform you, that I was preparing to pursue the enemy on the following day. From various causes, however, I was unable to put the troops in motion until the morning of the 2d instant, and then to take with me only about 140 of the regular troops, Johnson's mounted regiment, and such of Governor Shelby's volunteers as were fit for a rapid march, the whole amounting to about 3500 men. To General M'Arthur, with about 700 effectives, the protection of this place, and the sick, was committed. General Cass's brigade, and the corps of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, were left at Sandwich, with orders to follow me as soon as the men received their knapsacks and blankets, which had been left on an island in Lake Erie.

The unavoidable delay at Sandwich was attended with no disadvantage to us. General Proctor had posted himself at Dalson's, on the right bank of the river Thames (or French), fifty-six miles from this place, where I was informed he intended to fortify and to receive me. He must have believed, however, that I had no disposition to follow him, or that he had secured my continuance here, by the reports that were circulated that the Indians would attack and destroy this place, upon the advance of the army, as he neglected the breaking up of the bridges until the night of the 2d instant. On the night our army reached the river, which is 25 miles from Sandwich, and is one of four streams crossing our route, over all of which are bridges, and being deep and muddy, are unfordable for a considerable distance into the country. The bridge here was found entire, and in the morning I proceeded with Johnson's regiment, to save, if possible, the others. At the second bridge, over a branch of the river Thames, we were fortunate enough to capture a lieutenant of dragoons and 11 privates, who had been sent by General Proctor to destroy them. From the prisoners I learned that the third bridge was broken up, and that the enemy had no certain information of our advance. The bridge, having been imperfectly destroyed, was soon repaired, and the army encamped at Drake's farm, four miles below Dalson's.

The river Thames, along the banks of which our route lay, is a fine deep stream, navigable for vessels of considerable burthen, after the passage of the bar at its mouth, over which there is six and a half feet water.

The baggage of the army was brought from Detroit in boats, (p. 257) protected by three gun-boats, which Commodore Perry had furnished for the purpose, as well as to cover the passage of the army over the Thames itself, or the mouth of its tributary streams; the banks being low, and the country generally open (prairies), as high as Dalson's, these vessels were well calculated for the purpose. Above Dalson's, however, the character of the river and adjacent country, is considerably changed. The former, though still deep, is very narrow, and its banks high and woody. The commodore and myself, therefore, agreed upon the propriety of leaving the boats under a guard of 150 infantry, and I determined to trust to fortune, and the bravery of my troops, to effect the passage of the river. Below a place called Chatham, and four miles above Dalson's, is the third fordable branch of the Thames. The bridge over its mouth had been taken up by the Indians, as well as at M'Gregor's Mills, one mile above. Several hundred of the Indians remained to dispute our passage, and, upon the arrival of the advanced guard, commenced a heavy fire from the opposite bank of the creek, as well as that of the river. Believing that the whole force of the enemy was there, I halted the army formed in order of battle, and brought up our two six-pounders to cover the party that were ordered to repair the bridge, and cross the troops. Colonel Johnson's mounted regiment, being upon the right of the army, had seized the remains of the bridge at the mills, under a heavy fire from the Indians. Our loss, upon this occasion, was two killed and three or four wounded; that of the enemy was ascertained to be considerably greater. A house near the bridge, containing a very considerable number of muskets, had been set on fire; but it was extinguished by our troops, and the arms saved. At the first farm above the bridge, we found one of the enemy's vessels on fire, loaded with arms and ordnance stores, and learned that they were a few miles ahead of us, still on the right bank of the river, with the great body of Indians. At Bowles's farm, four miles from the bridge, we halted for the night, found two other vessels, and a large distillery, filled with ordnance and other valuable stores, to an immense amount, in flames. It was impossible to put out the fire; two twenty-four pounders, with their carriages, were taken, and a large quantity of ball and shells of various sizes. The army was put in motion early on the morning of the 5th. I pushed on, in advance, with the mounted regiment, and requested Governor Shelby to follow, as expeditiously as possible, with the infantry. The governor's zeal, and that of his men, enabled them to keep up with the cavalry, and by 9 o'clock, we were at Arnold's mills, having taken, in the course of the morning, two gun-boats and several bateaux, loaded with provisions and ammunition.

A rapid at the river at Arnold's mills affords the only fording to be met with for a very considerable distance; but, upon examination, it was found too deep for the infantry. Having, however, fortunately taken two or three boats and some canoes, on the spot, and obliging the horsemen to take a footman behind each, the whole were safely crossed by 12 o'clock. Eight miles from the crossing we passed a farm where a part of the British troops had encamped the night before, under the command of Colonel Warburton. The detachment with General Proctor had arrived the day before at the Moravian towns, four miles higher up. Being now certainly near the enemy, I directed the advance of Johnson's regiment to accelerate their march, for the purpose of procuring intelligence. The officer commanding it, in a short time, sent to inform me that his progress was stopped by (p. 258) the enemy, who were formed across our line of march. One of the enemy's wagoners being also taken prisoner, from the information received from him, and my own observation, assisted by some of my officers, I soon ascertained enough of their position, and order of battle, to determine that which it was proper for me to adopt.

I have the honour herewith to enclose you my general order of the 27th ultimo, prescribing the order of march and of battle when the whole army should act together. But as the number and description of the troops had been essentially changed since the issuing of the order, it became necessary to make a corresponding alteration in their disposition. From the place where our army was last halted, to the Moravian towns, a distance of about three and a half miles, the road passes through a beech forest without any clearing, and for the first two miles near to the bank of the river. At from two to three hundred yards from the river a swamp extends parallel to it throughout the whole distance. The intermediate ground is dry, and although the trees are tolerably thick, it is in many places clear of underbrush. Across this strip of land, its left appuyed upon the river, supported by artillery placed in the wood, their right in the swamp covered by the whole of their Indian force, the British troops were drawn up.

The troops at my disposal consisted of about one hundred and twenty regulars of the 27th regiment, five brigades of Kentucky volunteer militia infantry under his excellency Governor Shelby, averaging less than five hundred men, and Colonel Johnson's regiment of mounted infantry, making in the whole an aggregate something above 3000. No disposition of an army opposed to an Indian force can be safe, unless it is secured on the flanks and in the rear. I had therefore no difficulty in arranging the infantry conformably to my general order of battle. General Trotter's brigade of 500 men formed the front line, his right upon the road and his left upon the swamp. General King's brigade as a second line, 150 yards in the rear of Trotter's, and Childs's brigade, as a corps of reserve, in the rear of it. These three brigades formed the command of Major-General Henry; the whole of General Desha's division, consisting of two brigades, were formed en potence upon the left of Trotter.

While I was engaged in forming the infantry, I had directed Colonel Johnson's regiment, which was still in front, to be formed in two lines opposite to the enemy, and upon the advance of the infantry, to take ground to the left, and forming upon that flank, to endeavour to turn the right of the Indians. A moment's reflection, however, convinced me, that from the thickness of the woods and swampiness of the ground, they would be unable to do anything on horseback, and there was no time to dismount them and place their horses in security; I therefore determined to refuse my left to the Indians, and to break the British lines at once by a charge of the mounted infantry; the measure was not sanctioned by any thing I had seen or heard of, but I was fully convinced that it would succeed. The American backwoodsmen ride better in the woods than any other people. A musket or rifle is no impediment to them, being accustomed to carry them on horseback from their earliest youth. I was persuaded, too, that the enemy would be quite unprepared for the shock, and that they could not resist it. Conformably to this idea, I directed the regiment to be drawn up in close column, (p. 259) with its right at the distance of fifty yards from the road (that it might be, in some measure, protected by the trees from the artillery), its left upon the swamp, and to charge, at full speed, as soon as the enemy delivered their fire. The few regular troops of the 27th regiment, under the command of their colonel (Paul), occupied, in column of sections of four, the small space between the road and the river, for the purpose of seizing the enemy's artillery, and some ten or twelve friendly Indians were directed to move under the bank. The crotchet, formed by the front line and General Desha's division was an important point. At that place the venerable governor of Kentucky was posted, who, at the age of sixty-six, preserves all the vigour of youth, the ardent zeal which distinguished him in the Revolutionary war, and the undaunted bravery which he manifested at King's Mountain. With my aids-de-camp, the acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain Buttler, my gallant friend Commodore Perry, who did me the honour to serve as my volunteer aid-de-camp, and Brigadier-General Cass, who, having no command, tendered me his assistance, I placed myself at the head of the front line of infantry, to direct the movements of the cavalry and give them the necessary support. The army had moved on this order but a short distance, when the mounted men received the fire of the British line, and were ordered to charge; the horses in the front of the column recoiled from the fire; another was given by the enemy, and our column, at length getting into motion, broke through the enemy with irresistible force. In one minute the contest in front was over. The British officers seeing no hopes of reducing their disordered ranks to order, and our mounted men wheeling upon them and pouring in a destructive fire, immediately surrendered. It is certain that three only of our troops were wounded in this charge. Upon the left, however, the contest was more severe with the Indians. Colonel Johnson, who commanded on that flank of his regiment, received a most galling fire from them, which was returned with great effect. The Indians still further to the right advanced and fell in with our front line of infantry, near its junction with Desha's division, and, for a moment, made an impression on it. His Excellency, Governor Shelby, however, brought up a regiment to its support, and the enemy, receiving a severe fire in front, and a part of Johnson's regiment having gained their rear, retreated with precipitation. Their loss was very considerable in the action and many were killed in their retreat.

I can give no satisfactory information of the number of Indians that were in the action, but they must have been considerably upwards of one thousand. From the documents in my possession (General Proctor's official letters, all of which were taken), and from the information of respectable inhabitants of this territory, the Indians, kept in pay by the British, were much more numerous than has been generally supposed. In a letter to General de Rottenburg, of the 27th instant, General Proctor speaks of having prevailed upon most of the Indians to accompany him. Of these it is certain that fifty or sixty Wyandot warriors abandoned him.

A British officer, of high rank, assured one of my aids-de-camp, that on the day of our landing, General Proctor had at his disposal upwards of three thousand Indian warriors, but asserted that the greatest part had left him previous to the action.

The number of our troops was certainly greater than that of (p. 260) the enemy, but when it is recollected that they had chosen a position that effectually secured their flank, which it was impossible for us to turn, and that we could not present to them a line more extended than their own, it will not be considered arrogant to claim for my troops the palm of superior bravery.

In communicating to the President, through you, Sir, my opinion of the conduct of the officers who served under my command, I am at a loss how to mention that of Governor Shelby, being convinced that no eulogium of mine can reach his merits. The governor of an independent State, greatly my superior in years, in experience and in military character, he placed himself under my command, and was not more remarkable for his zeal and activity, than for the promptitude and cheerfulness with which he obeyed my orders. The Major-Generals Henry and Desha, and the Brigadiers Allen, Caldwell, King, Childs, and Trotter, all of the Kentucky volunteers, manifested great zeal and activity. Of Governor Shelby's staff, his adjutant-general, Colonel Walker, rendered great service, as did his aids-de-camp, General Adair, and Majors Barry and Crittenden. The military skill of the former was of great service to us, and the activity of the two latter gentlemen could not be surpassed. Illness deprived me of the talents of my adjutant-general, Colonel Gaines, who was left at Sandwich. His duties were, however, ably performed by the acting assistant adjutant-general, Captain Buttler. My aids-de-camp, Lieutenant O'Fallon and Captain Todd, of the line, and my volunteer aids, John Speed Smith and John Chambers, Esquires, have rendered me the most important services from the opening of the campaign. I have already stated that General Cass and Commodore Perry assisted me in forming the troops for the action. The former is an officer of the highest merit, and the appearance of the brave commodore cheered and animated every breast.

It would be useless, Sir, after stating the circumstances of the action, to pass encomiums upon Colonel Johnson and his regiment. Veterans could not have manifested more firmness. The colonel's numerous wounds prove that he was in the post of danger. Lieutenant-Colonel James Johnson, and the Majors Payne and Thompson were equally active though more fortunate. Major Wood of the engineers, already distinguished by his conduct at Fort Meigs, attended the army with two six-pounders. Having no use for them in the action, he joined in the pursuit of the enemy, and with Major Payne, of the mounted regiment, two of my aids-de-camp, Todd and Chambers, and three privates, continued it for several miles after the rest of the troops had halted, and made many prisoners.

I left the army before an official return of the prisoners, or that of the killed and wounded, was made out. It was however ascertained that the former amounts to 601 regulars, including 25 officers. Our loss is 7 killed and 22 wounded, 5 of which have since died. Of the British troops 12 were killed and 22 wounded. The Indians suffered most, 33 of them having been found upon the ground, besides those killed on the retreat.

On the day of the action, six pieces of brass artillery were taken, and two iron 24 pounders the day before. Several others were discovered in the river, and can be easily procured. Of the brass pieces, three are the trophies of our revolutionary war, that were taken at Saratoga and York, and surrendered by General Hull. The number of small arms taken by us and destroyed (p. 261) by the enemy, must amount to upwards of 5000; most of them had been ours and taken by the enemy at the surrender of Detroit, at the river Raisin, and at Colonel Dudley's defeat. I believe that the enemy retain no other military trophy of their victories than the standard of the 4th regiment; they were not magnanimous enough to bring that of the 4th regiment into the field, or it would have been taken.

You have been informed, Sir, of the conduct of the troops under my command in action; it gives me great pleasure to inform you, that they merit also the approbation of their country for their conduct, in submitting to the greatest privations with the utmost cheerfulness.

The infantry were entirely without tents, and for several days the whole army subsisted upon fresh beef, without bread or salt.

I have the honour to be, etc., William H. HARRISON.

P.S. General Proctor escaped by the fleetness of his horses, escorted by 40 dragoons and a number of mounted Indians.

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General Orders of Debarkation, of March, and of Battle.

Head Quarters, on Board the United States schooner Ariel, September 27, 1813.

As it is the intention of the general to land the army on the enemy's coast, the following will be order of debarkation, of march, and of battle:

The right wing of the army will be composed of the Kentucky volunteers, under the command of His Excellency, Governor Shelby, acting as major-general. The left wing, of the light corps of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, and the brigades of Generals M'Arthur and Cass. The arrangement is made with a view to the localities of the ground upon which the troops are to act and the composition of the enemy's force, and is calculated, in marching up the lake or straight, to place our regular troops in the open ground on the lake, where they will probably be opposed by the British regulars, and the Kentucky volunteers in the woods, which it is presumed will be occupied by the enemy's militia and the Indians. When the signal is given for putting to the shore, the corps of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball will precede the left wing: the regiment of volunteer riflemen the right wing: these corps will land with the utmost celerity, consistent with the preservation of good order, and as soon as landed will seize the most favourable position of annoying the enemy and covering the disembarkation of the troops of the line. General Cass's brigade will follow Colonel Ball's corps, and General Calmes the volunteer riflemen. The regiments will land and form in succession upon those which precede them. The right wing, with its left in front, displaying to the right; and the left wing, with its right in front, displaying to the left. The brigades of Generals King, Allen, and Caldwell will form successively to the right of General Calmes. General M'Arthur and Child's (p. 262) brigades will form the reserve. The general will command in person the right brigades of Generals Cass and Calmes, assisted by Major-General Henry. His Excellency, Governor Shelby, will have the immediate command of three brigades on the right, assisted by Major-General Desha. As soon as the troops are disembarked, the boats are to be immediately sent back to the fleet. It will be observed that the order of landing here prescribed is somewhat that of direct eschelons deployed into line upon the advanced corps of the right and left wing. It is the intention of the general, however, that all the troops which are provided with boats should land in as quick succession as possible; and the general officers in command towards the extremities of the line, are authorized to deviate from the arrangement to counteract any movement of the enemy, by landing any part of their commands, previously to the formation of the corps, which is herein directed to precede them. The corps of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball and the volunteer rifle regiment will maintain the position they occupy on landing, until the troops of the line are formed to support them; they will then retire through the intervals of the line, or to the flanks, and form in the rear of the line.

A detachment of artillery, with a six, four and three-pounder and howitzer, will land with the advanced light corps; the rest of the artillery will be held in reserve, and landed at such point as Major Wood may direct.

The point of landing for the reserve, under Brigadier-General M'Arthur, cannot now be designated; it will be made to support any point of the line which may require aid, or be formed on the flanks, as circumstances may render necessary. The arrangement for landing the troops will be made entirely under the direction of an officer of the navy, whom Commodore Perry has been so obliging as to offer for that purpose. The debarkation of the troops will be covered by the cannon of the vessels. The troops being landed, and the enemy driven off, or not opposing the landing, the army will change its front to the left, and form in order of battle in the following manner: The two brigades of regular troops, and two of the volunteers, to be formed in two lines at right angles to the shore of the lake. General M'Arthur's brigade and Calmes' to form the front line, and Cass's and Childs's the second line; the regular troops still on the left; that flank of both lines, resting on the shore; the distance between the two lines will be 300 yards. The remaining three brigades of volunteers will be drawn up in a single line of two ranks, at right angles to the line of march, its head upon the right of the front line, forming a crotchet (en potence) with that line, and extending beyond the second line. The corps of Lieutenant-Colonel Ball will form the advance of the left wing, at the distance of 300 yards, the regiment of rifle volunteers the advance of the right wing, at the same distance.

Some light pieces of artillery will be placed in the road leading up the lake, and at such other points as Major Wood may direct. When the order is given for marching, the first and second lines will advance by files from the heads of companies; in other words, these two lines will form two columns, marching by their flanks by companies at entire distances. The three brigades on the right flank will be faced to the left and marched forward; the head of this column still forming en potence with the front line. It is probable that the two brigades of the front line will extend from the lake some distance into the woods, on (p. 263) the right flank, and it is desirable it should be so; but should it be otherwise, and the crotchet or angle be at any time on the open ground, his excellency Governor Shelby will immediately prolong the front line to the right, by adding to it as many companies of the leading brigade of the flank column as will bring the angle, and consequently the flank column itself, completely within the woods. It is to be presumed that the enemy will make their attack upon the army in its march, that their regular troops will form their right upon the lake, their militia occupy the ground between the regulars and the woods, and the Indians the woods. The formation herein prescribed is intended to resist an arrangement of this kind. Should the general's conjecture on that subject prove correct, as it must be evident that the right of the enemy cannot be turned, and on that wing his best troops must be placed, it will be proper to refuse him our left, and direct our principal effort to uncover the flank of his regulars by driving off his militia. In the event supposed, therefore, it will be proper to bring up a part or the whole of General Cass's brigade, to assist the charge made by General Calmes, or that the former should change positions with the brigade of volunteers in the second line. Should the general think it safe to order the whole of Cass's brigade to the right, without replacing it with another, General Cass will march to the right, formed in oblique eschelons of companies. It will be the business of General M'Arthur, in the event of his wing being refused to watch the motions of the enemy, with the assistance of the artillery, to prevent his front line at least from interrupting the progress of our right. Should the enemy's militia be defeated, the brigade of ours in advance will immediately wheel upon the flank of the British regulars, and General M'Arthur will advance to attack them in front. In the mean time, his excellency Governor Shelby can use the brigade in reserve of the second line to prolong the flank line from its front or left, or to reinforce any weak part of the line. In all cases where troops in advance are obliged to retire through those who are advancing to support them, it will be done by companies in files, which will retire through the intervals of the advancing line, and will immediately form in rear. The light troops will be particularly governed by this direction.

The disposition of the troops on the right flank is such as the commanding general thinks best calculated to resist an attack from Indians, which is only to be expected from that quarter. His excellency Governor Shelby will, however, use his discretion in making any alteration which his experience and judgment may dictate. Lieutenant-Colonel Ball, Lieutenant-Colonel Simral, and the general officers commanding on the flank line, are to send out small detachments in advance of the two former corps, and to the flank of the latter. Should they discover the enemy in force, immediately notice will be sent to the head of the lines. The general commanding on the spot will immediately order the signals for forming in order of battle, which will be the beat "to arms."

All signals will be immediately repeated by all the drums of the line; the signal for the whole to halt, is the retreat. Drums will be distributed along the heads of companies, and the taps occasionally given to regulate their march.

Lieutenant-Colonels Ball and Simral are to keep the general constantly advised of the discoveries made by the advanced parties. Where it shall become necessary for the corps of (p. 264) Ball and Simral to retire, they will form on the flank or in the rear of Generals M'Arthur and Calmes's brigades, and receive the orders of the brigadiers respectively.

Brigadier-General Cass will designate such officers as he may deem proper, to assist Captain Elliott, of the navy, in the arrangement of the troops. The general will be the signal for the whole to move. By command,

Edmund P. GAINES, Col. Adj. Gen.

No. 51. (p. 265) PLATE LII.

October 5, 1813.

Governor Isaac Shelby. [Rx]. Battle of the Thames. Octo. 5. 1813.

GOVERNOR ISAAC SHELBY.

[Victory of the Thames.]

GOVERNOR ISAAC SHELBY. Bust of Governor Shelby in a general's uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

BATTLE OF THE THAMES. OCTO. (October) 5. 1813. The battle of the Thames; in the background, a forest; in the foreground, the mounted riflemen are charging the enemy. Exergue: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS APRIL 4. 1818. FÜRST. F. (fecit).[108]

[Footnote 108: The resolution of Congress voting this medal and the official reports of the Battle of the Thames are given under No. 50, page 254.]

ISAAC SHELBY was born in Hagerstown, Maryland, December 11, 1750. He served in the South throughout the Revolutionary War, rose to the rank of colonel, and displayed great gallantry in the battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780, for which he received a sword of honor and thanks from the Legislature of North Carolina. He was governor of Kentucky, 1792-1796, and 1812-1816; he joined General Harrison with four thousand Kentucky volunteers, and distinguished himself in the battle of the Thames, October 5, 1813, for which victory Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He declined to be secretary of War in 1817, and died in Lincoln County, Kentucky, July 18, 1826.

No. 52. (p. 266) PLATE LIII.

June 24, 1822.

Lvdovicvs. XVIII Franc. et. Nav. rex. [Rx]. Gallia. et. America. foederata.

TREATY OF COMMERCE WITH FRANCE.

LVDOVICVS. XVIII FRANC. ET. NAV. REX. (Ludovicus XVIII. Franciæ et Navarræ rex: Louis XVIII, King of France and Navarre.) Bust of Louis the Eighteenth, facing the right DE PUYMAURIN DIREXIT[109] (directed). On edge of bust, ANDRIEU. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 109: De Puymaurin was director of the Paris Mint at the time this medal was struck.]

GALLIA. ET. AMERICA. FOEDERATA. (France and America allied.) France and America, personified as two female figures, standing, leaning on a column, on which is a bust of Mercury. France, beside whom is a shield bearing the three fleurs de lis, holds in her right hand a cornucopia, and America rests her left hand on the prow of a galley; on the face of the column is engraved: MDCCCXXII (1822). Exergue: NOVIS. COMMERCIORVM. PACTIS IVNCTAE (United by new treaties of commerce.) GAYRARD. F. (fecit).[110]

[Footnote 110: See INTRODUCTION, pages x and xxiii.]

BERTRAND ANDRIEU was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1762. He studied first at the academy of Bordeaux, then with Lavaux. He came to Paris early in life. Among his principal medals are: the taking of the Bastille; the battle of Marengo; the passage of the St. Bernard; the baptism of the King of Rome; the head of the Emperor Napoleon; the head of the Empress Josephine; the head of the Empress Marie Louise; and the cathedral of Vienna. He also executed the obverse of the medal commemorating the treaty of commerce of 1822, between the United States of America and France. He died in Paris, December 10, 1822.

RAYMOND GAYRARD was born at Rodez, France, in 1777. He (p. 267) volunteered and served in the army from 1796 to 1802; then studied under Launay and Jeoffroy, and first attracted attention by his medallions of the Emperor Napoleon and of the Archduchess Marie Louise, on the occasion of their marriage. Among his principal medals are: the visits to the mint of the Emperor of Austria, and of the King of Prussia; the second entrance of Louis XVIII. into Paris; the removal of the ashes of the Duke d'Enghien to the chapel at Vincennes; the triumphal entrance of the Duke d'Angoulême into Paris; the death of Louis XVIII.; and the accession to the throne of Charles X. He also engraved the reverse of the medal commemorating the treaty of commerce between the United States of America and France. He was distinguished also as a sculptor, and among his statues is one of the American Republic. He was engraver to King Louis XVIII. and Charles X., was decorated with the Legion of Honor in 1825, and received a medal of the 2d class for sculpture at the Exhibition of Fine Arts in 1814, and an honorable mention at the Universal Exhibition of 1855. He died in Paris, May 4, 1858.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Treaty with France, 1822.

Convention of Navigation and Commerce between the United States of America and His Majesty the King of France and Navarre, concluded June 24, 1822; ratifications exchanged February 12, 1823; proclaimed February 12, 1823.

The United States of America and His Majesty the King of France and Navarre, being desirous of settling the relations of navigation and commerce between their respective nations, by a temporary convention reciprocally beneficial and satisfactory, and thereby of leading to a more permanent and comprehensive arrangement, have respectively furnished their full powers in manner following, that is to say,

The President of the United States to John Quincy Adams, their Secretary of State, and His Most Christian Majesty to the Baron Hyde de Neuville, Knight of the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, Commander of the Legion of Honour, Grand Cross of the Royal American Order of Isabella the Catholic, his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary near the United States; Who, after exchanging their full powers, have agreed (p. 268) on the following articles:

ARTICLE I.

Articles of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States, imported into France in vessels of the United States, shall pay an additional duty, not exceeding twenty francs per ton of merchandize, over and above the duties paid on the like articles, also of the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States, when imported in French vessels.

ARTICLE II.

Articles of the growth, produce or manufacture of France, imported into the United States in French vessels, shall pay an additional duty, not exceeding three dollars and seventy-five cents per ton of merchandize, over and above the duties collected upon the like articles, also of the growth, produce or manufacture of France, when imported in vessels of the United States.

ARTICLE III.

No discriminating duty shall be levied upon the productions of the soil or industry of France, imported in French bottoms into the ports of the United States for transit or re-exportation; nor shall any such duties be levied upon the productions of the soil or industry of the United States, imported in vessels of the United States into the ports of France for transit or re-exportation.

ARTICLE IV.

The following quantities shall be considered as forming the ton of merchandize for each of the articles hereinafter specified:

Wines: Four 61-gallon hogsheads, or 244 gallons of 231 cubic inches, American measure.

Brandies, and all other liquids, 244 gallons.

Silks and all other dry goods, and all other articles usually subject to measurement, forty-two cubic feet French, in France, and fifty cubic feet American measure in the United States.

Cotton: 804lbs. avoirdupois, or 365 kilogrammes.

Tobacco: 1600lbs. avoirdupois, or 725 kilogrammes.

Ashes, pot and pearl: 2240lbs. avoirdupois, or 1016 kilogrammes.

Rice: 1600lbs. avoirdupois, or 725 kilogrammes, and for all weighable articles, not specified, 2240lbs. avoirdupois, or 1016 kilogrammes.

ARTICLE V.

The duties of tonnage, light money, pilotage, port charges, brokerage, and all other duties upon foreign shipping, over and above those paid by the national shipping in the two countries respectively, other than those specified in articles 1 and 2 of the present convention, shall not exceed in France, for vessels of the United States, five francs per ton of the vessel's American register; nor for vessels of France in the United States, ninety four cents per ton of the vessel's French passport.

ARTICLE VI.

The contracting parties, wishing to favour their mutual commerce, by affording in their ports every necessary assistance to their respective vessels, have agreed that the consuls and (p. 269) vice-consuls may cause to be arrested the sailors, being part of the crews of the vessels of their respective nations, who shall have deserted from the said vessels, in order to send them back and transport them out of the country. For which purpose the said consuls and vice-consuls shall address themselves to the courts, judges, and officers competent, and shall demand the said deserters in writing, proving by an exhibition of the registers of the vessel, or ship's roll, or other official documents, that those men were part of the said crews; and on this demand, so proved, (saving however where the contrary is proved,) the delivery shall not be refused; and there shall be given all aid and assistance to the said consuls and vice-consuls for the search, seizure, and arrest of the said deserters, who shall even be detained and kept in the prisons of the country, at their request and expense, until they shall have found an opportunity of sending them back. But if they be not sent back within three months, to be counted from the day of their arrest, they shall be set at liberty, and shall be no more arrested for the same cause.

ARTICLE VII.

The present temporary convention shall be in force for two years from the first day of October next, and even after the expiration of that term, until the conclusion of a definitive treaty, or until one of the parties shall have declared its intention to renounce it, which declaration shall be made at least six months beforehand.

And in case the present arrangement should remain without such declaration of its discontinuance by either party, the extra duties specified in the 1st and 2d articles shall, from the expiration of the said two years, be, on both sides, diminished by one-fourth of their whole amount, and, afterwards by one-fourth of the said amount from year to year, so long as neither party shall have declared the intention of renouncing it as above stated.

ARTICLE VIII.

The present convention shall be ratified on both sides, and the ratifications shall be exchanged within one year from the date hereof, or sooner, if possible. But the execution of the said convention shall commence in both countries on the first of October next, and shall be effective, even in case of non-ratification, for all such vessels as may have sailed bonâ fide for the ports of either nation, in the confidence of its being in force.

In faith whereof, the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed the present convention, and have hereto affixed their seals, at the city of Washington, this 24th day of June, A. D. 1822.

John QUINCY ADAMS [l.s.] G. HYDE DE NEUVILLE [l.s.]

SEPARATE ARTICLE.

The extra duties levied on either side before the present day, by virtue of the act of Congress of 15th May, 1820, and of the ordinance of 26th July of the same year, and others confirmative thereof, and which have not already been paid back, shall be refunded.

Signed and sealed as above, this 24th day of June, 1822.

John QUINCY ADAMS [l.s.] G. HYDE DE NEUVILLE [l.s.]

No. 53. (p. 270) PLATE LIV.

March 4, 1825--March 4, 1829.

John Quincy Adams President of the United States 1825. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.

[Sixth President of the United States of America.]

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1825. Bust of President John Quincy Adams, facing the right.

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 a tomahawk crossed--Indian emblems of peace and war.

The obverse of this medal, though not signed, was engraved by Fürst.

JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, son of President John Adams, was born in Braintree, now Quincy, Massachusetts, July 11, 1767. He spent several years of his early life in Europe with his father; was graduated at Harvard College, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1787; was admitted to the bar in 1791, and settled in Boston; was minister to Holland, England, and Prussia, 1794-1801; United States senator, 1803-1808; minister to Russia, 1809-1814; one of the negotiators of the treaty of Ghent, 1814; secretary of State under President Monroe, 1817-1825; President of the United States, 1825-1829; representative in Congress, 1831-1848. He died in the Capitol in Washington, February 23, 1848.

No. 54. (p. 271) PLATE LV.

March 4, 1829--March 4, 1837.

Andrew Jackson President of the United States A.D. 1829. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON.

[Seventh President of the United States of America.]

ANDREW JACKSON PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES A. D. (Anno Domini: The year of our Lord), 1829. Bust of President Jackson, 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.

No. 55. (p. 272) PLATE LVI.

August 2, 1813.

Presented by Congress to Colonel George Croghan 1835. [Rx]. Pars magna fuit.

COLONEL GEORGE CROGHAN.

[Defence of Fort Stephenson.]

PRESENTED BY CONGRESS TO COLONEL GEORGE CROGHAN 1835. Bust of Colonel Croghan, in uniform, facing the right. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

In a pendant: PARS MAGNA FUIT[111] (His share was great.) Major Croghan is defending, with one hundred and sixty men, Fort Stephenson against the attack of the British army, one thousand strong. In the background, three gunboats on Lake Erie. Exergue: SANDUSKY 2; AUGUST 1813. FÜRST. F. (fecit).

[Footnote 111: Virgil, Æneid, Book II, 6.]

As this medal was not voted by Congress until 1835, it is placed here according to the chronological order adopted.

GEORGE CROGHAN was born near Louisville, Kentucky, November 15, 1791. He was graduated at William and Mary College, Virginia, and in 1811 was aid-de-camp to Colonel Boyd at the battle of Tippecanoe; captain in 1812, major in 1813, and aid-de-camp to General Harrison at Fort Meigs. On August 3, 1813, with a garrison of one hundred and sixty men, he repulsed General Proctor at the head of an army of one thousand British troops and Indians. For this gallant deed Congress, in 1835, gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. In 1814 he was appointed lieutenant-colonel; resigned in 1817; was promoted to the rank of inspector-general and colonel in 1825; served under General Taylor in Mexico, and died in New Orleans, January 8, 1849.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 273)

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Colonel Croghan, etc.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Colonel Croghan, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the defence of Fort Stephenson; and that he present a sword to each of the following officers engaged in that affair: to Captain James Hunter, to the eldest male representative of Lieutenant Benjamin Johnston, and to Lieutenant Cyrus A. Baylor, John Meek, Ensign Joseph Duncan, and the nearest male representative of Ensign Edmund Shipp, deceased.

Approved February 13, 1835.

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Major Croghan to General Harrison.

To MAJOR-GENERAL HARRISON, Lower Sandusky, August 5th, 1813. Commanding Northwestern Army.

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.

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 shell. 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 noble 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 assume 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 masses 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 grass 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.

"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."

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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 title, 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 assured 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 DOCUMENTS.

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 assembled: That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered, to Major-General Zachary Taylor, his officers and men, for the fortitude, 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.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be further requested to present a sword, with suitable devices, to the nearest male relative of Brigadier-General Hamer, and to communicate to him the deep regret which Congress feels for the loss of a gallant man, whose name ought to live in the (p. 291) recollection and affection of a grateful country.

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.

Approved March 2d, 1847.

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General Taylor to the Adjutant-General of the Army.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, To Camp Near Monterey, October 9, 1846. THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have now the honor to submit a detailed report of the recent operations before Monterey, resulting in the capitulation of that city.

The information received on the route from Seralvo, and particularly the continual appearance in our front of the Mexican cavalry, which had a slight skirmish with our advance at the village of Ramas, induced the belief, as we approached Monterey, that the enemy would defend that place. Upon reaching the neighborhood of the city, on the morning of the 19th of September, this belief was fully confirmed. It was ascertained that he occupied the town in force; that a large work had been constructed commanding all the northern approaches; and that the Bishop's Palace, and some heights in its vicinity near the Saltillo road, had also been fortified and occupied with troops and artillery. It was known, from information previously received, that the eastern approaches were commanded by several small works in the lower edge of the city.

The configuration of the heights and gorges in the direction of the Saltillo road, as visible from the point attained by our advance on the morning of the 19th, led me to suspect that it was practicable to turn all the works in that direction, and thus cut the enemy's line of communication. After establishing my camp at the "Walnut Springs," three miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position, it was, accordingly, my first care to order a close reconnoissance of the ground in question, which was executed on the evening of the 19th by the engineer officers, under the direction of Major Mansfield. A reconnoissance of the eastern approaches was at the same time made by Captain Williams, Topographical Engineer. The examination made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practicability of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and thus turning the position of the enemy. Deeming this to be an operation of essential importance, orders were given to Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, commanding the second division, to march with his command on the 20th; to turn the hill of the Bishop's Palace; to occupy a position on the Saltillo road, and to carry the enemy's detached works in that quarter, where practicable. The first regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under command of Colonel Hays, was associated with the second division on this service. Captain Sanders, Engineers, and Lieutenant Meade, Topographical Engineers, were also (p. 292) ordered to report to General Worth for duty with his column.

At 2 o'clock P.M., on the 20th, the second division took up its march. It was soon discovered by officers who were reconnoitering the town, and communicated to General Worth, that its movement had been perceived, and that the enemy was throwing reinforcements towards the Bishop's Palace and the height which commands it. To divert his attention as far as practicable, the first division, under Brigadier-General Twiggs, and the field division of volunteers, under Major-General Butler, were displayed in front of the town until dark. Arrangements were made at the same time to place in battery during the night, at a suitable distance from the enemy's main work, the citadel, two twenty-four pounder howitzers, and a ten-inch mortar, with a view to open a fire on the following day, when I proposed to make a diversion in favor of General Worth's movement. The 4th Infantry covered this battery during the night. General Worth had, in the mean time, reached and occupied for the night a defensive position just without range of a battery above the Bishop's Palace, having made a reconnoissance as far as the Saltillo road.

Before proceeding to report the operations of the 21st and following days, I beg leave to state that I shall mention in detail only those which were conducted against the eastern extremity of the city, or elsewhere, under my immediate direction, referring you for the particulars of General Worth's operations, which were entirely detached, to his own full report.

Early on the morning of the 21st, I received a note from General Worth, written at half-past nine o'clock the night before, suggesting what I had already intended, a strong diversion against the centre and left of the town, to favor his enterprise against the heights in rear. The infantry and artillery of the first division, and the field division of volunteers, were ordered under arms and took the direction of the city, leaving one company of each regiment as a camp guard. The 2d Dragoons, under Lieutenant-Colonel May, and Colonel Wood's regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, under the immediate direction of General Henderson, were directed to the right to support General Worth, if necessary, and to make an impression, if practicable, upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon approaching the mortar battery, the 1st and 3d regiments of infantry and battalion of Baltimore and Washington volunteers, with Captain Bragg's field battery, the whole under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, were directed toward the lower part of the town, with orders to make a strong demonstration, and carry one of the enemy's advanced works, if it could be done without too heavy loss. Major Mansfield, Engineers, and Captain Williams and Lieutenant Pope, Topographical Engineers, accompanied this column, Major Mansfield being charged with its direction and the designation of points of attack. In the meantime the mortar, served by Captain Ramsay, of the Ordnance, and the howitzer battery under Captain Webster, 1st Artillery, had opened their fire upon the citadel, which was deliberately sustained, and answered from the work. General Butler's division had now taken up a position in rear of this battery, when the discharges of artillery, mingled finally with a rapid fire of small arms, showed that Lieutenant-Colonel Garland's command had become warmly engaged. I now deemed it necessary to support this attack, and accordingly ordered the 4th Infantry and three regiments of General Butler's division, to march at once by the left (p. 293) flank in the direction of the advanced work at the lower extremity of the town, leaving one regiment (1st Kentucky) to cover the mortar and howitzer battery. By some mistake two companies of the 4th Infantry did not receive this order, and consequently did not join the advance companies until some time afterward.

Lieutenant-Colonel Garland's command had approached the town in a direction to the right of the advanced work (No. 1) at the northeastern angle of the city, and the engineer officer, covered by skirmishers, had succeeded in entering the suburbs and gaining cover. The remainder of this command now advanced and entered the town under a fire of artillery from the citadel and the works on the left, and of musketry from the houses and small works in front. A movement to the right was attempted with a view to gain the rear of No. 1, and carry that work, but the troops were so much exposed to a fire which they could not effectually return, and had already sustained such severe loss, particularly in officers, that it was deemed best to withdraw them to a more secure position. Captain Backus, 1st Infantry, however, with a portion of his own and other companies, had gained the roof of a tannery, which looked directly into the gorge of No. 1, and from which he poured a most destructive fire into that work and upon the strong building in its rear. This fire happily coincided in point of time with the advance of a portion of the volunteer division upon No. 1, and contributed largely to the fall of that strong and important work.

The three regiments of the volunteer division, under the immediate command of Major-General Butler, had in the mean time advanced in the direction of No. 1. The leading brigade, under Brigadier-General Quitman, continued its advance upon that work, preceded by three companies of the 4th Infantry, while General Butler, with the first Ohio regiment, entered the town to the right. The companies of the 4th Infantry had advanced within short range of the work, when they were received by a fire that almost, in one moment, struck down one-third of the officers and men, and rendered it necessary to retire and effect a conjunction with the two other companies then advancing. General Quitman's brigade, though suffering most severely, particularly in the Tennessee regiment, continued its advance, and finally carried the work in handsome style, as well as the strong building in its rear. Five pieces of artillery, a considerable supply of ammunition, and thirty prisoners, including three officers, fell into their hands. Major-General Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, after entering the edge of the town, discovered that nothing was to be accomplished in his front, and at this point, yielding to the suggestions of several officers, I ordered a retrograde movement; but learning almost immediately from one of my staff that the battery No. 1 was in our possession, the order was countermanded; and I determined to hold the battery and defences already gained. General Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, then entered the town at a point farther to the left, and marched in the direction of the battery No. 2. While making an examination, with a view to ascertain the possibility of carrying this second work by storm, the general was wounded and soon after compelled to quit the field. As the strength of No. 2 and the heavy musketry fire flanking the approach rendered it impossible to carry it without great loss, the 1st Ohio regiment was withdrawn from the town.

Fragments of the various regiments engaged were now under (p. 294) cover of the captured battery, and some buildings in its front, and on the right. The field batteries of Captains Bragg and Ridgely were also partially covered by the battery. An incessant fire was kept up on this position from battery No. 2, and other works on its right, and from the citadel on all our approaches. General Twiggs, though quite unwell, joined me at this point, and was instrumental in causing the artillery captured from the enemy to be placed in battery, and served by Captain Ridgely against No. 2, until the arrival of Captain Webster's howitzer battery, which took its place. In the mean time, I directed such men as could be collected of the 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments, and Baltimore battalion, to enter the town, penetrating to the right, and carry the 2d battery if possible. This command, under Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, advanced beyond the bridge "Purisima," when, finding it impracticable to gain the rear of the 2d battery, a portion of it sustained themselves for some time in that advanced position; but as no permanent impression could be made at that point, and the main object of the general operation had been effected, the command, including a section of Captain Ridgely's battery, which had joined it, was withdrawn to battery No. 1. During the absence of this column, a demonstration of cavalry was reported in the direction of the citadel. Captain Bragg, who was at hand, immediately galloped with his battery to a suitable position, from which a few discharges effectually dispersed the enemy. Captain Miller, 1st Infantry, was dispatched with a mixed company to support the battery on this service. The enemy's lancers had previously charged upon the Ohio and a part of the Mississippi regiment, near some fields at a distance from the edge of the town, and had been repulsed with a considerable loss. A demonstration of cavalry on the opposite side of the river was also dispersed in the course of the afternoon by Captain Ridgely's battery, and the squadrons returned to the city. At the approach of evening, all the troops that had been engaged were ordered back to camp, except Captain Ridgely's battery, and the regular infantry of the first division, who were detailed as a guard for the works during the night, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Garland. One battalion of the 1st Kentucky regiment was ordered to reinforce this command. Intrenching tools were procured, and additional strength was given to the works, and protection to the men, by working parties during the night, under the direction of Lieutenant Scarritt, Engineers.

The main object proposed in the morning had been effected. A powerful diversion had been made to favor the operations of the 2d Division, one of the enemy's advanced works had been carried, and we now had a strong foot-hold in the town. But this had not been accomplished without a heavy loss, embracing some of our gallant and promising officers. Captain Williams, Topographical Engineers, Lieutenants Terrett and Dilworth, 1st Infantry, Lieutenant Woods, 2d Infantry, Captains Morris and Field, Brevet-Major Barbour, Lieutenants Irwin and Hazlitt, 3d Infantry, Lieutenant Hoskins, 4th Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, Baltimore battalion, Captain Allen and Lieutenant Putman, Tennessee regiment, and Lieutenant Hett, Ohio regiment, were killed, or have since died of wounds received in this engagement, while the number and rank of the officers wounded gives additional proof of the obstinacy of the contest, and the good conduct of our troops. The number of killed and wounded (p. 295) incident to the operations in the lower part of the city on the 21st is 394.

Early in the morning of this day (21st), the advance of the 2d Division had encountered the enemy in force, and after a brief but sharp conflict, repulsed him with heavy loss. General Worth then succeeded in gaining a position on the Saltillo road, thus cutting the enemy's line of communication. From this position the two heights south of the Saltillo road were carried in succession, and the gun taken in one of them turned upon the Bishop's Palace. These important successes were fortunately obtained with comparatively small loss; Captain McKavett, 8th Infantry, being the only officer killed.

The 22d day of September passed without any active operations in the lower part of the city. The citadel and other works continued to fire at parties exposed to their range, and at the work now occupied by our troops. The guard left in it the preceding night, except Captain Ridgely's company, was relieved at midday by General Quitman's brigade. Captain Bragg's battery was thrown under cover in front of the town to repel any demonstration of cavalry in that quarter. At dawn of day the height above the Bishop's Palace was carried, and soon after meridian the palace itself was taken, and its guns turned upon the fugitive garrison. The object for which the 2d Division was detached had thus been completely accomplished, and I felt confident that with a strong force occupying the road and heights in his rear, and a good position below the city in our possession, the enemy could not possibly maintain the town.

During the night of the 22d the enemy evacuated nearly all his defences in the lower part of the city. This was reported to me early in the morning of the 23d by General Quitman, who had already meditated an assault upon those works. I immediately sent instructions to that officer, leaving it to his discretion, to enter the city, covering his men by the houses and walls, and advance carefully as far as he might deem prudent. After ordering the remainder of the troops as a reserve, under the orders of Brigadier-General Twiggs, I repaired to the abandoned works and discovered that a portion of General Quitman's brigade had entered the town, and were successfully forcing their way towards the principal plaza. I then ordered up the 2d regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, who entered the city dismounted, and, under the immediate orders of General Henderson, co-operated with General Quitman's brigade. Captain Bragg's battery was also ordered up, supported by the 3d Infantry; and after firing for some time at the cathedral, a portion of it was likewise thrown into the city. Our troops advanced from house to house, and from square to square, until they reached a street but one square in rear of the principal plaza, in and near which the enemy's force was mainly concentrated. This advance was conducted vigorously, but with due caution, and although destructive to the enemy, was attended with but small loss on our part. Captain Ridgely, in the mean time, had served a captured piece in battery No. 1 against the city, until the advance of our men rendered it imprudent to fire in the direction of the cathedral. I was now satisfied that we could operate successfully in the city, and that the enemy had retired from the lower portion of it to make a stand behind his barricades. As General Quitman's brigade had been on duty the previous night, I determined to withdraw the troops to the (p. 296) evacuated works, and concert with General Worth a combined attack upon the town. The troops accordingly fell back deliberately, in good order, and resumed their original positions, General Quitman's brigade being relieved after nightfall by that of General Hamer. On my return to camp, I met an officer with the intelligence that General Worth, induced by the firing in the lower part of the city, was about making an attack at the upper extremity, which had also been evacuated by the enemy to a considerable distance. I regretted that this information had not reached me before leaving the city, but still deemed it inexpedient to change my orders, and accordingly returned to the camp. A note from General Worth written at eleven o'clock P.M., informed me that he had advanced to within a short distance of the principal plaza, and that the mortar (which had been sent to his division in the morning) was doing good execution within effective range of the enemy's position.

Desiring to make no further attempt upon the city without complete concert as to the lines and mode of approach, I instructed that officer to suspend his advance until I could have an interview with him on the following morning at his head-quarters.

Early on the morning of the 24th, I received, through Colonel Moreno, a communication from General Ampudia, proposing to evacuate the town; which, with the answer, were forwarded with my first despatch. I arranged with Colonel Moreno a cessation of fire until twelve o'clock, at which hour I would receive the answer of the Mexican general at General Worth's head-quarters, to which I soon repaired. In the mean time, General Ampudia had signified to General Worth, his desire for a personal interview with me, to which I acceded, and which finally resulted in a capitulation, placing the town and the material of war, with certain exceptions, in our possession. A copy of that capitulation was transmitted with my first despatch.

Upon occupying the city, it was discovered to be of great strength in itself, and to have its approaches carefully and strongly fortified. The town and works were armed with forty-two pieces of cannon, well supplied with ammunition, and manned with a force of at least 7000 troops of the line, and from 2000 to 3000 irregulars. The force under my orders before Monterey, was 425 officers and 6220 men. Our artillery consisted of one ten-inch mortar, two twenty-four-pounder howitzers, and four light field batteries of four guns each; the mortar being the only piece suitable to the operations of a siege.

Our loss is twelve officers and one hundred and eight men killed; thirty-one officers and three hundred and thirty-seven men wounded. That of the enemy is not known, but is believed considerably to exceed our own.

I take pleasure in bringing to the notice of the government the good conduct of the troops, both regulars and volunteers, which has been conspicuous throughout the operations. I am proud to bear testimony to their coolness and constancy in battle, and the cheerfulness with which they have submitted to exposure and privation. To the general officers commanding divisions, Major-Generals Butler and Henderson, and Brigadier-Generals Twiggs and Worth, I must express my obligations for the efficient aid which they have rendered in their respective commands. I was unfortunately deprived, early on the 21st, of the valuable services of Major-General Butler, who was disabled by a wound received in the attack on the city. Major-General Henderson, commanding the Texan volunteers, has given me important aid (p. 297) in the organization of the command, and its subsequent operations. Brigadier-General Twiggs rendered important services with his division, and as the second in command after Major-General Butler was disabled. Brigadier-General Worth was intrusted with an important detachment which rendered his operations independent of my own. These operations were conducted with ability, and crowned with complete success.

I desire also to notice Brigadier-Generals Hamer and Quitman, commanding brigades in General Butler's division; Lieutenant-Colonels Garland and Wilson, commanding brigades in General Twiggs' division; Colonels Mitchell, Campbell, Davis, and Wood, commanding the Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, and 2d Texas regiments, respectively; and Majors Lear, Allen, and Abercrombie, commanding the 3d, 4th, and 1st regiments of infantry; all of whom served under my eye, and conducted their commands with coolness and gallantry against the enemy. Colonel Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel McClung, Mississippi regiment, Major Lear, 3d Infantry, and Major Alexander, Tennessee regiment, were all severely wounded, as were Captain Lamotte, 1st Infantry, Lieutenant Graham, 4th Infantry, Adjutant Armstrong, Ohio regiment, Lieutenants Scudder and Allen, Tennessee regiment, and Lieutenant Howard, Mississippi regiment, while leading their men against the enemy's position, on the 21st and 23d. After the fall of Colonel Mitchell, the command of 1st Ohio regiment devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Weller; that of the 3d Infantry, after the fall of Major Lear, devolved in succession upon Captain Bainbridge and Captain Henry, the former being also wounded. The following named officers have been favorably noticed by their commanders: Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, and Adjutant Heiman, Tennessee regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel McClung, Captains Cooper and Downing, Lieutenants Patterson, Calhoun, Moore, Russell, and Cook, Mississippi regiment; also Sergeant-Major Hearlan, Mississippi regiment, and Major Price, and Captain J. Smith, unattached, but serving with it. I beg leave also to call attention to the good conduct of Captain Johnston, Ohio regiment, and Lieutenant Hooker, 1st Artillery, serving on the staff of General Hamer, and of Lieutenant Nichols, 2d Artillery, on that of General Quitman. Captains Bragg and Ridgely served with their batteries during the operations under my own observation, and in part under my immediate orders, and exhibited distinguished skill and gallantry. Captain Webster, 1st Artillery, assisted by Lieutenants Donaldson and Bowen, rendered good service with the howitzer battery, which was much exposed to the enemy's fire on the 21st.

From the nature of the operations, the 2d Dragoons were not brought into action, but were usefully employed under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel May, as escorts, and in keeping open our communications. The 1st Kentucky regiment was also prevented from participating in the action of the 21st, but rendered highly important services under Colonel Ormsby, in covering the mortar battery, and holding in check the enemy's cavalry during the day.

I have noticed above the officers whose conduct either fell under my immediate eye, or is noticed only in minor reports which are not forwarded. For further mention of individuals, I beg leave to refer to the reports of division commanders. I fully concur in their recommendations, and desire that they may be considered as a part of my own report.

From the officers of my personal staff, and of the engineers, (p. 298) topographical engineers, and ordnance, associated with me, I have derived valuable and efficient assistance during the operations. Colonel Whiting, assistant quartermaster-general, Colonels Croghan and Belknap, inspector generals, Major Bliss, assistant adjutant general, Captain Sibley, assistant quartermaster, Captain Waggaman, commissary of subsistence, Captain Eaton and Lieutenant Garnett, aids-de-camp, and Major Kirby and Van Buren, pay department, served near my person, and were ever prompt, in all situations, in the communication of my orders and instructions. I must express my particular obligations to Brevet-Major Mansfield and Lieutenant Scarritt, corps of Engineers. They both rendered most important services in reconnoitring the enemy's positions, conducting troops in attack, and strengthening the works captured from the enemy. Major Mansfield, though wounded on the 21st, remained on duty during that and the following day, until confined by his wound to camp. Captain Williams, Topographical Engineer, to my great regret and the loss of the service, was mortally wounded while fearlessly exposing himself in the attack of the 21st. Lieutenant Pope, of the same corps, was active and zealous throughout the operations. Major Munroe, chief of the Artillery, Major Craig and Captain Ramsay, of the Ordnance, were assiduous in the performance of their proper duties. The former superintended their mortar service on the 22d, as particularly mentioned in the report of General Worth, to which I also refer for the services of the engineer and topographical officers detached with the second division.

Surgeon Craig, medical director, was actively employed in the important duties of his department, and the medical staff generally were unremitting in their attentions to the numerous wounded; their duties with the regular regiments being rendered uncommonly arduous by the small number serving in the field.

I respectfully enclose herewith, in addition to the report of division commanders, a field return of the force before Monterey on the 21st of September; a return of killed, wounded and missing during the operations, and two topographical sketches, one exhibiting all the movements around Monterey, the other on a large scale illustrating more particularly the operations in the lower quarters of the city, prepared respectively by Lieutenants Meade and Pope, Topographical Engineers.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major-General U. S. A., commanding.

No. 61. (p. 299) PLATE LXII.

December 10, 1846.

Somers navis Americana. [Rx]. Pro vitis Americanorum conservatis.

LOSS OF THE UNITED STATES BRIG-OF-WAR SOMERS.

[for Having Saved the Lives of Americans.]

SOMERS NAVIS AMERICANA. (The American vessel Somers.) The United States brig-of-war Somers knocked down at sea. Exergue: ANTE VERA CRUZ DEC. 10{TH} 1846. (Off Vera Cruz, December 10th, 1846.) C. C. WRIGHT. F. (fecit).

PRO VITIS AMERICANORUM CONSERVATIS. (For having saved the lives of Americans.) Three men-of-war's boats, English, Spanish, and French, pulling for the Somers. Exergue: A vacant space for the name of the recipient. ENG. (engraved) BY C. C. WRIGHT.

I saw, in 1872, in the office of the chief clerk of the Navy Department, Washington, two small paintings of both sides of this medal. They were signed: Butterworth, pinxit.

CHARLES CUSHING WRIGHT was born in Maine in 1796. He was a bank note engraver and a die sinker, and made several medals, among others those voted to General Taylor for Buena Vista, to General Scott for Mexico, to Colonel Bliss by the State of New York, to General Taylor by the State of Louisiana, to the Volunteers in Mexico by the City of New York, and the Somers medal. He died in New York, June 7, 1854.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 300)

Resolution of Congress Voting Medals to British, French, and Spanish Officers, etc.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States is hereby authorized and requested to cause suitable gold and silver medals to be prepared and presented to the officers and men belonging or attached to the French, British, and Spanish ships of war in the harbor of Vera Cruz, who so gallantly and at the imminent peril of their lives, aided in rescuing from a watery grave many of the officers and crew of the United States brig Somers.

Approved March 3d, 1847.

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Lieutenant Semmes to Commodore M. C. Perry.

To U. S. frigate Raritan, COMMODORE M. C. PERRY, Anton Lizardo, December 10, 1846. Second in command, Home Squadron.

Sir: It becomes my painful duty to inform you of the loss of the U.S. brig Somers, late under my command, and of the drowning of more than half of her crew. The details of this sad catastrophe are briefly as follows:

After having been forty-five days maintaining the blockade off Vera Cruz, I anchored on the evening of the 7th instant under Verde Island, where it had been my practice to take shelter from the N. W. gales, which blow with such frequency and violence along this coast at this season of the year. Soon after sunrise the next morning, a sail having been descried from the masthead, I immediately got under way, and commenced beating up between the Verde Island and Pascoros reefs. In a short time I was enabled, with my glass, to make out the strange sail to be a man of war, whereupon I hoisted my number, and had the satisfaction in fifteen or twenty minutes more to see the stranger show that of the "John Adams." The wind, which had been blowing from the W. N. W. when we got under way, gradually hauled to the northwest and settled for a while at N. N. E. The barometer having fallen the night previous to 29.80 in., and being still down, and the weather looking still unsettled, I was apprehensive of a gale. As soon, therefore, as the "John Adams" showed her number, I wore round and ran down towards Verde Island, with a view of coming to, and getting my vessel snug before the gale should come on. When I had nearly approached the anchorage, the look-out at the masthead cried "Sail ho!" a second time. On applying my glass to the direction indicated from aloft, I perceived this second sail to be a brig in the N. E., standing apparently for Vera Cruz (she did afterwards run between the inner Anegada and the Blanquilla). I immediately abandoned my intention of anchoring, as the gale had not yet set in, and hauling on a wind, under top-sails and courses, commenced to beat up the passage a second time, (p. 301) with the view of placing myself between the strange sail and the Port, to prevent the possibility of her running the blockade, if she should be so inclined. I made one tack towards the Pascoros reefs, and at the time of the catastrophe, was standing on the larboard tack, with the northern point of the Verde Island reef a couple of points on my lee bow. We were still under topsails, courses, jib and spanker, and the Brig did not appear too much pressed. I was myself standing on the lee arm-chest, having just passed over from the weather quarter, and, with my spy-glass in hand, was observing the reef on our lee bow to see whether it were possible to weather it, or in the event of our not being able to do this, to give timely notice to the officer of the deck to tack ship. I had not been long in this position before the officer of the deck, 2d Lieut. Jas. L. Parker, remarked to me that he thought it looked a little squally to windward. I immediately passed over to the weather side, and as it looked a little darker than it had done, I ordered him to haul up the mainsail, and brail up the spanker, and directed the helm to be put up. These orders were promptly obeyed. Lieut. Parker took the mainsail off her, and had got the spanker about half brailed up, when the squall struck us. It did not appear to be very riotous, nor was its approach accompanied by any foaming of the water, or other indications which usually mark the approach of heavy squalls. But the Brig being flying light, having scarcely any water or provisions, and but six tons of ballast on board, she was thrown over almost instantly, so far as to refuse to obey her helm, the pressure of the water on the lee bow rather inclining her to luff; seeing which, I directed the helm to be put down, hoping that I might luff and shake the wind out of her sails, until the force of the squall should be spent. The quartermaster at the helm had hardly time to obey this order, before the brig was on her beam ends, and the water pouring into every hatch and scuttle. Being now convinced that she must speedily go down unless relieved, I ordered the masts to be cut away. The officers and men, who, with few exceptions, had, by this time, gained the weather bulwarks of the vessel, immediately began to cut away the rigging. But as this was a forlorn hope, the brig filling very fast, and her masts and yards lying flat upon the surface of the sea, I placed no reliance whatever on their efforts. A few moments more, and I was convinced that, in spite of all our exertions, she must inevitably go down in a very short time. I accordingly turned my attention to the saving of as many lives as possible. The boats secured in the grips amidships, and the starboard-quarter boat, were already several feet under water, so that it was impossible to reach them, but we succeeded in disengaging the larboard-quarter boat from her davits, a small boat pulling five oars, and dropped her, fortunately, to leeward of the brig to prevent her being thrown upon the vessel's side, and crushed by the sea. I ordered Midshipman F. G. Clark to take charge of this boat, and with the purser, surgeon, and seventeen men, make for Verde Island, if possible, and after having landed all but the boat's crew, to return and save others. It was now blowing a strong gale, with a heavy sea running, and I deemed it imprudent to trust more men in so small a boat. Besides, I was anxious to shove her off, before the vessel should sink, lest there might be a rush for her, and no life at all should be saved. I cannot refrain from expressing, in this place, my admiration of the noble conduct of several of the men embarked in this boat, who implored the officers by name to take their (p. 302) places, saying they would willingly die by the wreck, if the officers would but save themselves. Of course, none of the generous fellows were permitted to come out, and they were all subsequently safely landed, as they deserved to be. Midshipman Clark fortunately succeeded in shoving off, and pulling some twenty paces from the brig before she went down. When she was on the point of sinking beneath us, and engulfing us in the waves, I gave the order: "Every man save himself who can." Whereupon there was a simultaneous plunge into the sea, of about sixty officers and men, each one trying to secure some frail object that had drifted from the wreck, for the purpose of sustaining himself in the awful struggle with the sea, which awaited him. Some reached a grating, some an oar, some a boat's mast, some a hen-coop, &c., but many poor fellows sprang into the sea to perish in a few minutes, not being able to find any object of support. Lieut. Parker and myself, being both swimmers, were fortunate enough to reach one of the arm-chest gratings, which afforded us partial support, but on which we should inevitably have been drowned, if we had not, when we had swam some twenty or thirty paces, secured an upper half port which came drifting by us. We lashed this with lanyards attached to it to our grating, and thenceforth got along much better. Midshipman Clark, after he had landed the officers and men under his charge at Verde Island, shoved off a second time, in obedience to the orders I had given him, at the imminent peril of his life, for the gale was now blowing with such violence, and the sea running so heavy, that it seemed impossible that so small a boat could live, and skirted the Verde Island to see if it were possible to rescue any of us from the waves. His efforts were rewarded with partial success, as he picked up Lieutenant Parker and myself and one of the seamen. As soon as I landed I sent Midshipman Clark out again, who ventured as far from the island as he thought his boat would live, but this time he returned unsuccessful, having been able to descry no floating object whatever. Lieutenant Claiborne saved himself on a small hatch about two feet square, used for covering the pump-well, and which he found floating near the wreck. He was thrown with great violence upon a reef near Sacrificios, but fortunately escaped without serious injury. As strange as it may appear to you, there could not have elapsed more than ten minutes between our being struck with the squall and the total disappearance of the "Somers." I feel that I would not be doing justice to the officers and men who were under my command on this melancholy occasion, if I were to close this report without bearing testimony to their uniform coolness and self-possession under the trying circumstance under which we were placed, the alacrity with which they obeyed my orders, and when all was over the generosity with which they behaved to each other in the water, where the struggle was one of life and death. I have thus concluded what I had to say in relation to the causes of the disaster, and our own exertions; but with heartfelt acknowledgments, it remains for me to inform you of the gallant and feeling manner in which all the foreign men-of-war lying at Sacrificios came to our rescue. They hoisted out and manned boats immediately, and at the hazard of their lives, put out towards the wreck. They were at first driven back by the violence of the wind and sea, but renewed their efforts upon the first lull, and had the unhoped for satisfaction of saving fourteen more of our unfortunate companions. To Captain Lambert, of the English frigate "Endymion;" Captain (p. 303) Frankland, of the English corvette "Alarm;" Commander Matson, of the English brig "Daring;" Captain Dubut, of the French brig "Mercure;" Captain de Labédoyère, of the French brig "Pylade;" and Captain Puente, of the Spanish corvette "Louisa Fernandez;" who all sent boats, and supplied us with clothing, and hospitably entertained us on board their ships, we owe a lasting debt of gratitude.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that at as early a date as convenient you will order a Court of Inquiry to investigate my conduct in this unfortunate affair.

R. SEMMES, Lieutenant commanding.

No. 62. (p. 304) PLATE LXIII.

1847.

Major General Winfield Scott. [Rx]. Vera Cruz. Cerro Gordo. Contreras, etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT.

[Mexican Campaign.]

In a pendant: MAJOR GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. Undraped bust of General Scott, facing the left. Fifteen stars on each side. Exergue: RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS MARCH 9. 1848. S. ELLIS DEL. (delineavit.) On the edge of bust, C. C. WRIGHT, F. (fecit).

Six crowns of laurel and oak intertwined; in each the name of one of the Mexican victories of General Scott: VERA CRUZ. CERRO GORDO. CONTRERAS. SAN ANTONIO & CHURUBUSCO. MOLINO DEL REY. CHAPULTEPEC. In the centre is the taking of the capital, CITY OF MEXICO, which General Scott is observing on horseback. G. C. HUMPHRIES DEL. (delineavit.) C. C. WRIGHT FECt. (fecit).

SALATHIEL ELLIS was born in Vermont in 1806, and followed his parents to St. Lawrence County, New York. He became a portrait painter, cameo cutter and die sinker. He settled in New York city about 1842, and designed the obverses of the medals awarded to General Taylor for Buena Vista, and to General Scott for Mexico; he engraved the obverses of the medals of Presidents Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan, and Lincoln, and also of that given to Cornelius Vanderbilt.

G. C. HUMPHRIES, who designed the reverse of this medal, died in London, England.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS. (p. 305)

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to General Scott.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby, presented to Winfield Scott, Major-General commanding-in-chief the army in Mexico, and through him to the officers and men of the regular and volunteer corps under him, for their uniform gallantry and good conduct, conspicuously displayed at the siege and capture of the city of Vera Cruz and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, March 29, 1847; and in the successive battles of Cerro Gordo, April 18; Contreras, San Antonio, and Churubusco, August 19 and 20; and for the victories achieved in front of the city of Mexico, September 8, 11, 12, and 13; and the capture of the metropolis, September 14, 1847; in which the Mexican troops, greatly superior in numbers, and with every advantage of position, were in every conflict signally defeated by the American arms.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to cause to be struck a gold medal, with devices emblematical of the series of brilliant victories achieved by the army, and presented to Major-General Winfield Scott, as a testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his valor, skill, and judicious conduct in the memorable campaign of 1847.

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to Major-General Scott in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the objects thereof.

Approved March 9, 1848.

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General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. March 12, 1847.

Sir: The colors of the United States were triumphantly planted ashore, in full view of the city and castle, and under the distant fire of both, in the afternoon of the 9th inst. Brevet Brigadier-General Worth's brigade of regulars led the descent, quickly followed by the division of United States volunteers under Major-General Patterson, and Brigadier-General Twiggs' reserve brigade of regulars. The three lines successively landed in sixty-seven surf-boats, each boat conducted by a naval officer, and rowed by sailors from Commodore Conner's squadron, whose lighter vessels flanked the boats so as to be ready to protect the operation by their cross-fire. The whole army reached the shore in fine style, and without direct opposition (on the beach), accident or loss, driving the enemy from the ground to be occupied.

The line of investment, according to General Orders, No. 47, was partially taken up the same night; but has only been completed to-day, owing to most extraordinary difficulties: 1. The environs of the city, outside of the fire of its guns and those of the (p. 306) castle, are broken into innumerable hills of loose sand, from 20 to 250 feet in height, with almost impassable forests of chapparal between; and 2. Of all our means, of land transportation: wagons, carts, pack-saddles, horses and mules, expected to join us from Tampico and the Brazos, weeks ago, but fifteen carts and about one hundred draught-horses have yet arrived. Three hundred pack-mules are greatly needed to relieve the troops in taking subsistence alone, along the line of investment of more than five miles, as, at present, our only depot is south of the city. On the cessation of the present raging norther, which almost stifles the troops with sand, sweeping away hills and creating new, I hope to establish a second depot north of the city, which will partially relieve the left wing of the army.

In extending the line of investment around the city, the troops for three days have performed the heaviest labors in getting over the hills and cutting through the intervening forests, all under the distant fire of the city and castle, and in the midst of many sharp skirmishes with the enemy. In these operations we have lost in killed and wounded several valuable officers and men. Among the killed I have to report Brevet Captain Alburtis, of the United States 2d Infantry, much distinguished in the Florida war, and a most excellent officer. He fell on the 11th inst., and Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson, of the South Carolina Regiment, was badly wounded in a skirmish the day before. Two privates have been killed in these operations, and four or five wounded. As yet I have not been able to obtain their names.

As soon as the subsistence of the troops can be assured, and their positions are well established, I shall, by an organized movement, cause each brigade of regulars and volunteers to send detachments, with supports, to clear its front, including sub-bourgs, of the enemy's parties, so as to oblige them to confine themselves within the walls of the city.

I have heretofore reported that but two-sevenths of the siege-train and ammunition had reached me. The remainder is yet unheard of. We shall commence landing the heavy metal as soon as the storm subsides, and hope that the five-sevenths may be up in time.

The city being invested, would, no doubt, early surrender, but for fear that, if occupied by us, it would immediately be fired upon by the castle. I am not altogether without hope of finding the means of coming to some compromise with the city on this subject.

So far, the principal skirmishing has fallen to the lot of Brigadier-General Pillow's and Quitman's brigades. Both old and new volunteer regiments have conducted themselves admirably. Indeed, the whole army is full of zeal and confidence, and cannot fail to acquire distinction in the impending operations.

To Commodore Conner, the officers and sailors of his squadron, the army is indebted for great and unceasing assistance, promptly and cheerfully rendered. Their co-operation is the constant theme of our gratitude and admiration. A handsome detachment of marines, under Captain Edson, of that corps, landed with the first line, and is doing duty with the army.

March 13th. The enemy, at intervals, continues the fire of heavy ordnance, from the city and castle, upon our line of investment, both by day and night, but with little or no effect.

The norther has ceased, which has renewed our communication (p. 307) with the storeships at anchor under Sacrificios. We shall immediately commence landing the few pieces of heavy ordnance, with ordnance stores, at hand, and hope soon to have the necessary draught mules to take them to their positions. Any further delay in the arrival of those means of transportation will be severely felt in our operations.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

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General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, Camp Washington, before Vera Cruz, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. March 23, 1847.

Sir: Yesterday, seven of our 10-inch mortars being in battery, and the labors for planting the remainder of our heavy metal being in progress, I addressed, at two o'clock P.M., a summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz, and within the two hours limited by the bearer of the flag, received the governor's answer. Copies of the two papers (marked respectively A and B) are herewith enclosed.

It will be perceived that the Governor, who, it turns out, is the commander of both places, chose, against the plain terms of the summons, to suppose me to have demanded the surrender of the castle and of the city; when, in fact, from the non-arrival of our heavy metal, principally mortars, I was in no condition to threaten the former.

On the return of the flag with the reply, I at once ordered the seven mortars, in battery, to open upon the city. In a short time the smaller vessels of Commodore Perry's squadron, two steamers and five schooners, according to previous arrangement with him, approached the city within about a mile and an eighth, whence, being partially covered from the castle, an essential condition to their safety, they also opened a brisk fire upon the city. This has been continued uninterruptedly by the mortars, and only with a few intermissions, by the vessels, up to 9 o'clock this morning, when the commodore, very properly, called them off from a position too daringly assumed.

Our three remaining mortars are now (12 o'clock A.M.) in battery, and the whole ten in activity. To-morrow, early, if the city should continue obstinate, batteries Nos. 4 and 5 will be ready to add their fire; No. 4 consisting of four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, and No. 5 (naval battery) of three 32-pounders and three 8-inch Paixhans: the guns, officers, and sailors, landed from the squadron; our friends of the navy being unremitting in their zealous co-operation, in every mode and form.

So far, we know that our fire upon the city has been highly effective, particularly from the battery of 10-inch mortars, planted at about 800 yards from the city. Including the preparation and defence of the batteries, from the beginning, now many days, and notwithstanding the heavy fire of the enemy, from city and castle, we have only had four or five men wounded (p. 308) and one officer and one man killed, in or near the trenches. That officer was Captain John R. Vinton, of the United States third Artillery, one of the most talented, accomplished, and effective members of the army, and who was highly distinguished in the brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell last evening in the trenches, where he was on duty as field and commanding officer, universally regretted. I have just attended his honored remains to a soldier's grave, in full view of the enemy and within reach of his guns.

Thirteen of the long needed mortars, leaving twenty-seven, besides heavy guns, behind, have arrived, and two of them landed. A heavy norther then set in (at meridian) that stopped that operation, and also the landing of shells. Hence the fire of our mortar batteries has been slackened since two o'clock to-day, and cannot be reinvigorated until we shall again have a smooth sea. In the mean time I shall leave this report open for journalizing events that may occur up to the departure of the steam ship-of-war, the Princeton, with Commodore Conner, who, I learn, expects to leave the anchorage off Sacrificios, for the United States, the 25th instant.

March 24th. The storm having subsided in the night, we commenced this forenoon, as soon as the sea became a little smooth, to land shot, shells, and mortars.

The naval battery, No. 5, was opened with great activity, under Captain Aulick, the second in rank of the squadron, at about 10 A.M. His fire was continued to 2 o'clock P.M., a little before he was relieved by Captain Mayo, who landed with a fresh supply of ammunition, Captain Aulick having exhausted the supply he had brought with him. He lost four sailors, killed, and had one officer, Lieutenant Baldwin, slightly hurt.

The mortar batteries Nos. 1, 2, and 3, have fired but languidly during the day for want of shells, which are now going out from the beach.

The two reports of Colonel Bankhead, chief of artillery, both of this date, copies of which I enclose, give the incidents of those three batteries.

Battery No. 4, which will mount four 24-pounders and two 8-inch Paixhan guns, has been much delayed in the hands of the indefatigable engineers by the norther that filled up the work with sand nearly as fast as it could be opened by the half-blinded laborers. It will, however, doubtless be in full activity early to-morrow morning.

March 25th. The Princeton being about to start for Philadelphia, I have but a moment to continue this report.

All the batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, are in awful activity this morning. The effect is, no doubt, very great, and I think the city cannot hold out beyond to-day. To-morrow morning many of the new mortars will be in a position to add their fire, when, or after the delay of some twelve hours, if no proposition to surrender should be received, I shall organize parties for carrying the city by assault. So far the defence has been spirited and obstinate.

I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night, signed by the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia, within Vera Cruz, asking me to grant a truce to enable the neutrals, together with Mexican women and children, to withdraw from the scene of havoc about them. I shall reply, the moment an opportunity may be taken, to say: 1. That a truce can only be granted on application of Governor Morales, with a view to surrender. 2. That in (p. 309) sending safeguards to the different consuls, beginning so far back as the 13th inst., I distinctly admonished them, particularly the French and Spanish consuls, and of course through the two, the other consuls, of the dangers that have followed. 3. That although at that date I had already refused to allow any person whatever to pass the line of investment either way, yet the blockade had been left open to the consuls and other neutrals to pass out to their respective ships of war up to the 22d instant; and 4. I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy of my summons to the Governor, to show that I had fully considered the impending hardships and distresses of the place, including those of women and children, before one gun had been fired in that direction. The intercourse between the neutral ships of war and the city was stopped at the last mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with my concurrence, which I placed on the ground that that intercourse could not fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort.

It will be seen from the memorial that our batteries have already had a terrible effect on the city (also known through other sources), and hence the inference that a surrender must soon be proposed. In haste,

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with respect, your most obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

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General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Head-Quarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, Vera Cruz, March 29, 1847. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.

Sir: The flag of the United States of America floats triumphantly over the walls of the city and castle of San Juan d'Ulloa.

Our troops have garrisoned both since 10 o'clock; it is now noon. Brigadier-General Worth is in command of the two places.

Articles of capitulation were signed and exchanged at a late hour night before last. I enclose a copy of the document.

I have heretofore reported the principal incidents of the siege up to the 25th instant. Nothing of striking interest occurred till early in the morning of the next day, when I received overtures from General Landero, on whom General Morales had devolved the principal command. A terrible storm of wind and sand made it difficult to communicate with the city, and impossible to refer to Commodore Perry. I was obliged to entertain the proposition alone, or to continue the fire upon a place that had shown a disposition to surrender; for the loss of a day, or perhaps several, could not be permitted. The accompanying papers will show the proceedings and results.

Yesterday, after the norther had abated, and the commissioners appointed by me early the morning before had again met those appointed by General Landero, Commodore Perry sent ashore his second in command, Captain Aulick, as a commissioner on the part of the navy. Although not included in my specific arrangement with the Mexican commander, I did not hesitate, with proper (p. 310) courtesy, to desire that Captain Aulick might be duly introduced and allowed to participate in the discussions and acts of the commissioners who had been reciprocally accredited. Hence the preamble to his signature. The original American commissioners were Brevet Brigadier-General Worth, Brigadier-General Pillow, and Colonel Totten. Four more able or judicious officers could not have been desired.

I have to add but little more. The remaining details of the siege; the able co-operation of the United States squadron, successively under the command of Commodores Conner and Perry, the admirable conduct of the whole army, regulars and volunteers, I should be happy to dwell upon as they deserve; but the steamer Princeton, with Commodore Conner on board, is under way, and I have commenced organizing an advance into the interior. This may be delayed a few days, waiting the arrival of additional means of transportation. In the mean time, a joint operation, by land and water will be made upon Alvarado. No lateral expedition, however, shall interfere with the grand movement towards the capital.

In consideration of the great services of Colonel Totten, in the siege that has just terminated most successively, and the importance of his presence at Washington, as the head of the engineer bureau, I intrust this despatch to his personal care, and beg to commend him to the very favorable consideration of the department.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

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Terms of Capitulation agreed upon for the surrender to the arms of the United States of America of Vera Cruz, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa and their dependencies, with their armaments, munitions of war, garrisons, and arms.

I.

The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the arms of the United States of America, as prisoners of war, the 29th instant at 10 o'clock A.M., the garrisons to be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, and to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of the United States army, and at a point to be agreed on by the commissioners.

II.

Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, including horse and horse furniture, and to be allowed, regular and irregular officers and also the rank and file, five days to retire to their respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed.

III.

Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in Article I, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries; and, immediately thereafter, forts Santiago and Conception and the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, occupied by the forces of the United States.

IV.

The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to (p. 311) be disposed of, after surrender and parole, as their general-in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to return to their homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions of force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged.

V.

All the materiel of war, and all public property of every description found in the city, the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, and their dependencies, to belong to the United States; but the armament of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further prosecution of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico by a definite treaty of peace.

VI.

The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in the city, with such medical officers of the army as may be necessary to their care and treatment.

VII.

Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private building or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equivalent.

VIII.

Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is solemnly guaranteed.

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General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, Plan del Rio, 50 miles from Vera Cruz, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. April 19, 1847.

Sir: The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. 111, forwarded herewith, was finely executed by this gallant army before two o'clock P.M. yesterday. We are quite embarrassed with the results of victory, prisoners of war, heavy ordnance, field batteries, small arms and accoutrements.

About three thousand men laid down their arms, with the usual proportion of field and company officers, besides five generals, several of them of great distinction: Pinson, Yarrero, La Vega, Noriega, and Obardo. A sixth general, Vasquez, was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the whole Mexican army, the capture of which gave us these glorious results.

Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has been serious. Brigadier-General Shields, a commander of activity, zeal and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally wounded. He is (p. 312) some five miles from me at the moment. The field of operations covered many miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms, and I have not a report, as yet, from any division or brigade.

Twiggs' division, followed by Shields' (now Colonel Baker's) brigade, are now at Xalapa, and Worth's division is en route thither, all pursuing, with good results, as I learn, that part of the Mexican army, perhaps six or seven thousand men, who had fled before our right had carried the tower, and gained the Xalapa road.

Pillow's brigade alone is near me at this depot of wounded, sick, and prisoners; and I have time only to give from him the names of 1st Lieutenant F. B. Nelson, and 2d Lieutenant C. J. Hill, both of the 2d Tennessee foot (Haskell's regiment), among the killed, and in the brigade one hundred and six, of all ranks, killed or wounded.

Among the latter, the gallant Brigadier-General himself has a smart wound in the arm, but not disabled; and Major R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee, Captain H. F. Murray, 2d Lieutenant G. T. Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant W. P. Hale, Adjutant, all of the same regiment, severely, and 1st Lieutenant W. Yearwood, mortally wounded. And I know, from personal observation on the ground, that 1st Lieutenant Ewell, of the Rifles, if not now dead, was mortally wounded in entering, sword in hand, the intrenchments around the captured tower.

Second Lieutenant Derby, Topographical Engineers, I also saw, at the same place, severely wounded, and Captain Patten, 2d United States Infantry, lost his right hand. Major Sumner, 2d United States Dragoons, was slightly wounded the day before, and Captain Johnston, Topographical Engineers (now Lieutenant-Colonel of Infantry), was very severely wounded some days earlier while reconnoitering. I must not omit to add that Captain Mason, and 2d Lieutenant Davis, both of the rifles, were among the very severely wounded in storming the same tower.

I estimate our total loss, in killed and wounded, may be about two hundred and fifty, and that of the enemy at three hundred and fifty. In the pursuit toward Xalapa (25 miles hence), I learn, we have added much to the enemy's loss in prisoners, killed and wounded. In fact, I suppose his retreating army to be nearly disorganized, and hence my haste to follow, in an hour or two, to profit by events.

In this hurried and imperfect report I must not omit to say that Brigadier-General Twiggs, in passing the mountain range beyond Cerro Gordo, crowned with the tower, detached from his division, as I suggested the day before, a strong force to carry that height, which commanded the Xalapa road at the foot, and could not fail, if carried, to cut off the whole, or any part of the enemy's forces, from a retreat in any direction.

A portion of the 1st Artillery, under the often distinguished Brevet-Colonel Childs, the 3d Infantry, under Captain Alexander, the 7th Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton, and the Rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary command of Colonel Hamey, 2d Dragoons, during the confinement to his bed of Brevet Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, composed that detachment. The style of execution, which I had the pleasure to witness, was most brilliant and decisive.

The brigade ascended the long and difficult slope of Cerro Gordo, without shelter, and under the tremendous fire of artillery and musketry, with the utmost steadiness, reached the breastworks, drove the enemy from them, planted the colors of the 1st (p. 313) Artillery, 3d and 7th Infantry, the enemy's flag still flying, and, after some minutes' sharp firing, finished the conquest with the bayonet.

It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is due to Harney, Childs, Plympton, Loring, Alexander, their gallant officers and men, for this brilliant service, independent of the great results which soon followed.

Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time, he detached Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, with his light battalion, to support the assault, but not in time. The general, reaching the tower a few minutes before me, and observing a white flag displayed from the nearest portion of the enemy towards the batteries below, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to hold a parley. The surrender followed in an hour or two.

Major-General Patterson left a sick bed to share in the dangers and fatigues of the day; and after the surrender went forward to command the advance forces towards Xalapa.

Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our left; and though without success, they contributed much to distract and dismay their immediate opponents.

President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Almonte, and some six or eight thousand men, escaped toward Xalapa just before Cerro Gordo was carried, and before Twiggs' division reached the national road above.

I have determined to parole the prisoners, officers and men, as I have not the means of feeding them here, beyond to-day, and cannot afford to detail a heavy body of horse and foot, with wagons, to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our baggage train, though increasing, is not half large enough to give an assured progress to this army.

Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, escape from the escort in the long and deep sandy road without subsistence, ten to one, than we shall find again, out of the same body of men, in the ranks opposed to us. Not one of the Vera Cruz prisoners is believed to have been in the lines of Cerro Gordo. Some six of the officers, highest in rank, refuse to give their paroles, except to go to Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps, to the United States.

The small arms and accoutrements, being of no value to our army here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroyed, for we have not the means of transporting them. I am, also, somewhat embarrassed with the pieces of artillery, all bronze, which we have captured. It would take a brigade, and half the mules of our army, to transport them fifty miles.

A field battery I shall take for service with the army; but the heavy metal must be collected and left here for the present. We have our own siege-train and the proper carriages with us.

Being much occupied with the prisoners and all the details of a forward movement, besides looking to the supplies which are to follow from Vera Cruz, I have time to add no more, intending to be at Xalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again meet with serious opposition this side of Perote; certainly not, unless delayed by the want of the means of transportation.

I have the honor to remain, Sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

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General Orders No. 111. (p. 314)

Headquarters of the Army, Plan del Rio, April 17, 1847.

The enemy's line of intrenchments and batteries will be attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day, to-morrow, probably before ten o'clock A.M.

The second (Twiggs') division of regulars is already advanced within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That division has instructions to move forward before daylight to-morrow and take up a position across the national road in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat towards Xalapa. It may be reinforced to-day if unexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments, one or two taken from Shields' brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for that purpose at daylight to-morrow morning, under Brigadier-General Shields, who will report to Brigadier-General Twiggs, on getting up with him, or the general-in-chief, if he be in advance.

The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive instructions in the course of this day.

The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning.

As already arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will march at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has carefully reconnoitered, and stand ready as soon as he hears the report of arms on our right, or sooner if circumstances should favor him, to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point, the nearer the river the better, as he may select. Once in the rear of that line, he will turn to the right or left, or both, and attack the batteries in reverse; or, if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigor until further orders.

Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on the national road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's batteries. They will take up that position at nine o'clock in the morning.

The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions and corps will pursue with vigor.

This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by darkness or fortified positions, towards Xalapa. Consequently the body of the army will not return to this encampment, but be followed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the baggage trains of the several corps. For this purpose, the feebler officers and men of each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, and to load up the latter in the wagons of the corps. A commander of the present encampment will be designated in the course of this day.

As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been carried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon for each regiment and one for the cavalry will follow the movement, to receive, under the direction of medical officers, the wounded and disabled, who will be brought back to this place for treatment in general hospital.

The Surgeon-General will organize this important service and (p. 315) designate that hospital, as well as the medical officers to be left at it.

Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy will take the usual allowance of ammunition and subsistence for at least two days.

By command of Major-General Scott. H. L. SCOTT, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, Tacubaya, at the Gates of Mexico, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. August 28th, 1847.

Sir: My report, No. 31, commenced in the night of the 19th instant, closed with the operations of the army on that day.

The morning of the 20th opened with one of a series of unsurpassed achievements, all in view of the capital, and to which I shall give the general name: Battles of Mexico.

In the night of the 19th, Brigadier-Generals Shields, P. F. Smith, and Cadwallader, and Colonel Riley with their brigades, and the 15th Regiment, under Colonel Morgan, detached from Brigadier-General Pierce, found themselves in and about the important position, the village, hamlet or hacienda, called indifferently, Contreras, Ansalda, San Geronimo, half a mile nearer to the city than the enemy's intrenched camp, on the same road, towards the factory of Magdalena.

That camp had been, unexpectedly, our formidable point of attack in the afternoon before, and we had now to take it, without the aid of cavalry or artillery, or to throw back our advanced corps upon the direct road from San Augustin to the city, and thence force a passage through San Antonio.

Accordingly, to meet contingencies, Major-General Worth was ordered to leave early in the morning of the 20th, one of his brigades to mask San Antonio, and to march with the other six miles, via San Augustin, upon Contreras. A like destination was given to Major-General Quitman and his remaining brigade in San Augustin, replacing, for the moment, the garrison of that important depot with Harney's brigade of cavalry, as horse could not pass over the intervening lava, etc., to reach the field of battle.

A diversion for an earlier hour (daylight) had been arranged the night before, according to the suggestion of Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, received through the engineer, Captain Lee, who conveyed my orders to our troops remaining on the ground, opposite to the enemy's centre, a point for the diversion or the real attack, as circumstances might allow.

Guided by Captain Lee, it proved the latter, under the command of Colonel Ransom of the 9th, having with him that regiment and some companies of three others, the 3d, 12th, and Rifles.

Shields, the senior officer of the hamlet, having arrived in (p. 316) the night, after Smith had arranged with Cadwallader and Riley the plan of attack for the morning, delicately waived interference; but reserved to himself the double task of holding the hamlet with his two regiments (South Carolina and New York Volunteers) against ten times his numbers on the side of the city, including the slopes to his left, and in case the enemy's camp in his rear should be carried, to face about and cut off the flying enemy.

At three A.M., the great movement commenced on the rear of the enemy's camp, Riley leading, followed successively by Cadwallader's and Smith's brigades, the latter temporarily under the orders of Major Dimick of the 1st Artillery, the whole force being commanded by Smith, the senior in the general attack, and whose arrangements, skill and gallantry always challenge the highest admiration.

The march was rendered tedious by the darkness, rain, and mud; but about sunrise, Riley, conducted by Lieutenant Turner, Engineer, had reached an elevation behind the enemy, whence he precipitated his columns; stormed the intrenchments, planted his several colors upon them, and carried the work, all in seventeen minutes.

Conducted by Lieutenant Beauregard, Engineer, and Lieutenant Brooks of Twiggs' staff, both of whom, like Lieutenant Tower, had, in the night, twice reconnoitred the ground; Cadwallader brought up to the general assault two of the regiments: the Voltigeurs and the 11th, and at the appointed time Colonel Ransom, with his temporary brigade, conducted by Captain Lee, Engineer, not only made the movement in front, to divert and to distract the enemy, but, after crossing the deep ravine, advanced, and poured into the works and upon the fugitives many volleys from his destructive musketry.

In the mean time Smith's own brigade, under the temporary command of Major Dimick, following the movements of Riley and Cadwallader, discovered, opposite to, and outside of the works, a long line of Mexican cavalry, drawn up as a support. Dimick having at the head of the brigade the company of Sappers and Miners, under Lieutenant G. W. Smith, engineer, who had conducted the march, was ordered by Brigadier-General Smith to form his line, faced to the enemy, and in a charge against the flank, routed the cavalry.

Shields, too, by the wise disposition of his brigade and gallant activity, contributed much to the general results. He held masses of cavalry and infantry, supported by artillery, in check below him, and captured hundreds, with one general (Mendoza), of those who fled from above.

I doubt whether a more brilliant or decisive victory, taking into view ground, artificial defences, batteries, and the extreme disparity of numbers, without cavalry or artillery on our side, is to be found on record. Including all our corps directed against the intrenched camp, with Shields' brigade at the hamlet, we positively did not number over four thousand five hundred rank and file; and we knew by sight, and since, more certainly, by many captured documents and letters, that the enemy had actually engaged on the spot seven thousand men, with at least twelve thousand more hovering within sight and striking distance, both on the 19th and 20th. All, not killed or captured, now fled with precipitation.

Thus was the great victory of Contreras achieved; one road to the capital opened; seven hundred of the enemy killed; eight hundred and thirteen prisoners, including, among eighty-eight (p. 317) officers, four generals; besides many colors and standards; twenty-two pieces of brass ordnance, half of large calibre; thousands of small arms and accoutrements; an immense quantity of shot, shells, powder, and cartridges; seven hundred pack mules, many horses, etc., etc., all in our hands.

It is highly gratifying to find that, by skillful arrangement and rapidity of execution, our loss, in killed and wounded, did not exceed, on the spot, sixty; among the former the brave Captain Charles Hanson, of the 4th Infantry, not more distinguished for gallantry than for modesty, morals, and piety. Lieutenant J. P. Johnstone, 1st Artillery, serving with Magruder's battery, a young officer of the highest promise, was killed the evening before.

One of the most pleasing incidents of the victory is the recapture, in their works, by Captain Drum, 4th Artillery, under Major Gardner, of the two brass 6-pounders, taken from another company of the same regiment, though without the loss of honor, at the glorious battle of Buena Vista; about which guns the whole regiment had mourned for so many long months! Coming up a little later I had the happiness to join in the protracted cheers of the gallant 4th on the joyous event; and, indeed, the whole army sympathizes in its just pride and exultation.

The battle being won before the advancing brigades of Worth's and Quitman's divisions were in sight, both were ordered to their late positions: Worth, to attack San Antonio, in front, with his whole force, as soon as approached in the rear by Pillow's and Twiggs' divisions; moving from Contreras, through San Angel and Coyoacan. By carrying San Antonio, we knew that we should open another, a shorter and better road to the capital for our siege and other trains.

Accordingly, the two advanced divisions and Shields' brigade marched from Contreras, under the immediate orders of Major-General Pillow, who was now joined by the gallant Brigadier-General Pierce of his division, personally thrown out of activity, late the evening before, by a severe hurt received from the fall of his horse.

After giving necessary orders on the field, in the midst of prisoners and trophies, and sending instructions to Harney's brigade of cavalry (left at San Augustin) to join me, I personally followed Pillow's command.

Arriving at Coyoacan, two miles by a cross road, from the rear of San Antonio, I first detached Captain Lee, Engineer, with Captain Kearny's troop, 1st Dragoons, supported by the Rifle regiment, under Major Loring, to reconnoitre that strong point; and next despatched Major-General Pillow, with one of his brigades (Cadwallader's), to make the attack upon it, in concert with Major-General Worth on the opposite side.

At the same time, by another road to the left, Lieutenant Stevens of the Engineers, supported by Lieutenant G. W. Smith's company of sappers and miners, of the same corps, was sent to reconnoitre the strongly fortified church or convent of San Pablo, in the hamlet of Churubusco, one mile off, Twiggs with one of his brigades (Smith's, less the Rifles) and Captain Taylor's field battery, were ordered to follow and to attack the convent. Major Smith, senior Engineer, was despatched to concert with Twiggs the mode and means of attack, and Twiggs' other brigade (Riley's) I soon ordered up to support him.

Next (but all in ten minutes) I sent Pierce (just able to (p. 318) keep the saddle) with his brigade (Pillow's division), conducted by Captain Lee, Engineer, by a third road a little farther to our left, to attack the enemy's right and rear, in order to favor the movement upon the convent, and to cut off a retreat toward the capital. And finally, Shields, senior brigadier to Pierce, with the New York and South Carolina Volunteers (Quitman's division), was ordered to follow Pierce closely, and to take the command of our left wing. All these movements were made with the utmost alacrity by our gallant troops and commanders.

Finding myself at Coyoacan, from which so many roads conveniently branched, without escort or reserve, I had to advance for safety close upon Twiggs' rear. The battle now raged from the right to the left of our whole line.

Learning on the return of Captain Lee, that Shields in the rear of Churubusco was hard pressed, and in danger of being outflanked, if not overwhelmed, by greatly superior numbers, I immediately sent under Major Sumner, 2d Dragoons, the Rifles (Twiggs' reserve) and Captain Sibley's troop, 2d Dragoons, then at hand, to support our left, guided by the same engineer.

About an hour earlier, Worth had, by skillful and daring movements upon the front and right, turned and forced San Antonio: its garrison, no doubt, much shaken by our decisive victory at Contreras.

His second brigade (Colonel Clarke's) conducted by Captain Mason, Engineer, assisted by Lieutenant Hardcastle, Topographical Engineer, turned to the left, and by a wide sweep came out upon the high road to the capital. At this point the heavy garrison (three thousand men) in retreat was, by Clarke, cut in the centre: one portion, the rear, driven upon Dolores, off to the right, and the other upon Churubusco, in the direct line of our operations. The first brigade (Colonel Garland's), same division, consisting of the 2d Artillery, under Major Gait, the 3d Artillery, under Lieutenant-Colonel Belton, and the 4th Infantry, commanded by Major F. Lee, with Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's field battery (temporarily) followed in pursuit through the town, taking one general prisoner, the abandoned guns (five pieces), much ammunition and other public property.

The forcing of San Antonio was the second brilliant event of the day. Worth's division being soon reunited in hot pursuit, he was joined by Major-General Pillow, who, marching from Coyoacan and discovering that San Antonio had been carried, immediately turned to the left according to my instructions, and, though much impeded by ditches and swamps, hastened to the attack of Churubusco.

The hamlet or scattered houses bearing this name, presented besides the fortified convent, a strong field-work (tête-de-pont) with regular bastions and curtains, at the head of a bridge over which the road passes from San Antonio to the capital.

The whole remaining forces of Mexico, some twenty-seven thousand men, cavalry, artillery and infantry, collected from every quarter, were now in, on the flanks, or within supporting distance of those works, and seemed resolved to make a last and desperate stand; for if beaten here, the feebler defences at the gates of the city, four miles off, could not, as was well known to both parties, delay the victors an hour. The capital of an ancient empire, now of a great republic, or an early peace, the assailants were resolved to win. Not an American, and we were less than a third of the enemy's numbers, had a doubt as to the result.

The fortified church or convent, hotly pressed by Twiggs, (p. 319) had already held out about an hour, when Worth and Pillow, the latter having with him Cadwallader's brigade, began to manoeuvre closely upon the tête-de-pont, with the convent at half gunshot to their left. Garland's brigade (Worth's division), to which had been added the light battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, continued to advance in front and under the fire of a long line of infantry off on the left of the bridge; and Clarke, of the same division, directed his brigade along the road or close by its side. Two of Pillow's and Cadwallader's regiments, the 11th and 14th, supported and participated in this direct movement; the other (the Voltigeurs) was left in reserve. Most of these corps, particularly Clarke's brigade, advancing perpendicularly, were made to suffer much by the fire of the tête-de-pont, and they would have suffered greatly more by flank attacks from the convent, but for the pressure of Twiggs on the other side of that work.

This well-combined and daring movement at length reached the principal point of attack, and the formidable tête-de-pont was at once assaulted and carried by the bayonet. Its deep wet ditch was first gallantly crossed by the 8th and 5th Infantry, commanded respectively by Major Waite and Lieutenant-Colonel Martin Scott, followed closely by the 6th Infantry (same brigade), which had been so much exposed on the road, the 11th regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, and the 14th, commanded by Colonel Trousdale, both of Cadwallader's brigade, Pillow's division. About the same time the enemy in front of Garland, after a hot conflict of an hour and a half, gave way in a retreat toward the capital.

The immediate result of this third signal triumph of the day were three field pieces, one hundred and ninety-two prisoners, much ammunition, and two colors taken at the tête-de-pont.

Lieutenant I. F. Irons, 1st Artillery, aid-de-camp to Brigadier-General Cadwallader, a young officer of great merit and conspicuous in battle on several previous occasions, received in front of the work a mortal wound. (Since dead.)

As the concurrent attack upon the convent favored physically and morally the assault upon the tête-de-pont, so reciprocally, no doubt, the fall of the latter contributed to the capture of the former. The two works were only some four hundred and fifty yards apart; and as soon as we were in possession of the tête-de-pont, a captured four-pounder was turned and fired, first by Captain Larkin Smith, and next by Lieutenant Snelling, both of the 8th Infantry, several times upon the convent. In the same brief interval, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan (also of Worth's division) gallantly brought two of his guns to bear at a short range from the San Antonio road, upon the principal face of the work and on the tower of the church, which in the obstinate contest, had been often refilled with some of the best sharpshooters of the enemy.

Finally, twenty minutes after the tête-de-pont had been carried by Worth and Pillow, and at the end of a desperate conflict of two hours and a half, the church or convent, the citadel of the strong line of defence along the rivulet of Churubusco, yielded to Twiggs' division, and threw out on all sides signals of surrender. The white flags, however, were not exhibited until the moment when the 3d Infantry, under Captain Alexander, had cleared the way by fire and bayonet, and had entered the work. Captain I. M. Smith and Lieutenant O. L. Shepherd, both of that regiment, with their companies, had the glory of leading the assault. (p. 320) The former received the surrender, and Captain Alexander instantly hung out from the balcony the colors of the gallant 3d. Major Dimick, with a part of the 1st Artillery, serving as infantry, entered nearly abreast with the leading troops.

Captain Taylor's field battery, attached to Twiggs' division, opened its effective fire at an early moment upon the outworks of the convent and the tower of its church. Exposed to the severest fire of the enemy, the captain, his officers and men, won universal admiration; but at length, much disabled in men and horses, the battery was by superior orders withdrawn from the action thirty minutes before the surrender of the convent.

Those corps, excepting Taylor's battery, belonged to the brigade of Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, who closely directed the whole attack with his habitual coolness and ability: while Riley's brigade, the 2d and 7th Infantry, under Captain T. Morris and Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton respectively, vigorously engaged the right of the work and part of its rear. At the moment the Rifles, belonging to Smith's, were detached in support of Brigadier-General Shields on our extreme left, and the 4th Artillery, acting as infantry, under Major Gardner, belonging to Riley's brigade, had been left in charge of the camp, trophies, etc., at Contreras. Twiggs' division at Churubusco had thus been deprived of the services of two of its most gallant and effective regiments.

The immediate results of this victory were: the capture of seven field pieces, some ammunition, one color, three generals, and one thousand two hundred and sixty-one prisoners, including other officers.

Captains E. A. Capron and M. J. Burke, and Lieutenant G. Hoffman, all of the 1st Artillery, and Captain J. W. Anderson and Lieutenant Thomas Easley, both of the 2d Infantry, five officers of great merit, fell gallantly before this work.

The capture of the enemy's citadel was the fourth great achievement of our arms in the same day.

It has been stated that some two hours and a half before, Pierce's, followed closely by the volunteer brigade, both under the command of Brigadier-General Shields, had been dispatched to our left to turn the enemy's works; to prevent the escape of the garrisons and to oppose the extention of the enemy's numerous corps from the rear upon and around our left.

Considering the inferior numbers of the two brigades, the objects of the movement were difficult to accomplish. Hence the re-enforcement (the Rifles, etc.,) sent forward a little later.

In a winding march of a mile around to the right, this temporary division found itself on the edge of an open wet meadow, near the road from San Antonio to the capital, and in the presence of some four thousand of the enemy's infantry, a little in rear of Churubusco, on that road. Establishing the right at a strong building, Shields extended his left parallel to the road, to outflank the enemy toward the capital. But the enemy extending his right, supported by three thousand cavalry, more rapidly (being favored by better ground) in the same direction, Shields concentrated the division about a hamlet and determined to attack in front. The battle was long, hot and varied; but, ultimately, success crowned the zeal and gallantry of our troops, ably (p. 321) directed by their distinguished commander, Brigadier-General Shields. The 9th, 12th and 15th regiments, under Colonel Ransom, Captain Wood, and Colonel Morgan respectively, of Pierce's brigade (Pillow's division), and the New York and South Carolina Volunteers, under Colonels Burnett and Butler respectively, of Shields' own brigade (Quitman's division), together with the mountain howitzer battery, now under Lieutenant Reno of the Ordnance Corps, all shared in the glory of this action, our fifth victory in the same day.

Brigadier-General Pierce, from the hurt of the evening before, under pain and exhaustion, fainted in the action. Several other changes in command occurred on this field. Thus Colonel Morgan being severely wounded, the command of the 15th Infantry devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Howard; Colonel Burnett receiving a like wound, the command of the New York Volunteers fell to Lieutenant-Colonel Baxter; and, on the fall of the lamented Colonel P. M. Butler, earlier badly wounded, but continuing to lead nobly in the hottest of the battle, the command of the South Carolina Volunteers devolved, first, on Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson, who being severely wounded (as before in the siege of Vera Cruz), the regiment ultimately fell under the orders of Major Gladden.

Lieutenants David Adams and W. R. Williams of the same corps; Captain Augustus Quarks and Lieutenant J. B. Goodman of the 15th, and Lieutenant E. Chandler, New York Volunteers, all gallant officers, nobly fell in the same action.

Shields took three hundred and eighty prisoners, including officers; and it cannot be doubted that the rage of the conflict between him and the enemy, just in the rear of the tête-de-pont and the convent, had some influence on the surrender of those formidable defences.

As soon as the tête-de-pont was carried, the greater part of Worth's and Pillow's forces passed that bridge in rapid pursuit of the flying enemy. These distinguished generals, coming up with Brigadier-General Shields, now also victorious, the three continued to press upon the fugitives to within a mile and a half of the capital. Here, Colonel Harney, with a small part of his brigade of cavalry, rapidly passed to the front, and charged the enemy up to the nearest gate.

The cavalry charge was headed by Captain Kearny, of the 1st Dragoons, having in squadron with his own troop, that of Captain M'Reynolds of the 3d making the usual escort to general headquarters; but, being early in the day detached for general service, was now under Colonel Hamey's orders. The gallant captain not hearing the recall, that had been sounded, dashed up to the San Antonio gate, sabring in his way all who resisted. Of the seven officers of the squadron, Kearny lost his left arm; M'Reynolds and Lieutenant Lorimer Graham were both severely wounded, and Lieutenant R. S. Ewell, who succeeded to the command of the escort, had two horses killed under him. Major F. D. Mills of the 15th Infantry, a volunteer in this charge, was killed at the gate.

So terminated the series of events which I have but feebly presented. My thanks were freely poured out on the different fields, to the abilities and science of generals and other officers, to the zeal and prowess of all, the rank and file included. But a reward infinitely higher, the applause of a grateful country and government, will, I cannot doubt, be accorded in due time to so much merit of every sort displayed (p. 322) by this glorious army, which has now overcome all difficulties: distance, climate, ground, fortifications, numbers.

It has in a single day, in many battles, as often defeated thirty-two thousand men; made about three thousand prisoners, including eight generals (two of them ex-presidents), and two hundred and five other officers; killed or wounded four thousand of all ranks, besides entire corps dispersed and dissolved; captured thirty-seven pieces of ordnance, more than trebling our siege train and field batteries, with a large number of small arms, a full supply of ammunition of every kind, etc. etc.

These great results have overwhelmed the enemy. Our loss amounts to one thousand and fifty-three: killed, one hundred and thirty-nine, including sixteen officers; wounded, eight hundred and seventy-six, with sixty officers. The greater number of the dead and disabled were of the highest worth. Those under treatment, thanks to our very able medical officers, are doing well.

I regret having been obliged, on the 20th, to leave Major-General Quitman, an able commander, with a part of his division, the fine 2d Pennsylvania Volunteers, and the veteran detachment of United States marines, at our important depot, San Augustin. It was there that I had placed our sick and wounded, the siege, supply and baggage trains. If these had been lost, the army would have been driven almost to despair; and considering the enemy's very great excess of numbers, and the many approaches to the depot, it might well have become, emphatically, the post of honor.

After so many victories, we might, with but little additional loss, have occupied the capital the same evening. But Mr. Trist, commissioner, etc., as well as myself, had been admonished by the best friends of peace, intelligent neutrals, and some American residents, against precipitation, lest, by wantonly driving away the government and others, dishonored, we might scatter the elements of peace, excite a spirit of national desperation and thus indefinitely postpone the hope of accommodation.

Deeply impressed with this danger, and remembering our mission, to conquer a peace, the army very cheerfully sacrificed to patriotism, to the great wish and want of our country, the éclat that would have followed an entrance, sword in hand, into a great capital. Willing to leave something to this republic, of no immediate value to us, on which to rest her pride, and to recover temper, I halted our victorious corps at the gates of the city (at least for a time), and have them now cantoned in the neighboring villages, where they are well sheltered and supplied with all necessaries.

On the morning of the 21st, being about to take up battering or assaulting position, to authorize me to summon the city to surrender, or to sign an armistice with a pledge to enter at once into negotiations for peace, a mission came out to propose a truce. Rejecting its terms, I dispatched my contemplated note to President Santa Anna, omitting the summons. The 22d, commissioners were appointed by the commanders of the two armies; the armistice was signed the 23d, and ratifications exchanged the 24th.

All matters in dispute between the two governments have been thus happily turned over to their plenipotentiaries, who have now had several conferences, and with, I think, some hope of signing a treaty of peace.

There will be transmitted to the adjutant-general reports from divisions, brigades, etc., on the foregoing operations, to which I must refer, with my hearty concurrence in the just applause (p. 323) bestowed on corps and individuals by their respective commanders. I have been able, this report being necessarily a summary, to bring out, comparatively, but little of individual merit not lying directly in the way of the narrative. Thus I doubt whether I have, in express terms, given my approbation and applause to the commanders of divisions and independent brigades; but left their fame upon higher grounds, the simple record of their great deeds and the brilliant results.

To the staff, both general and personal, attached to general headquarters, I was again under high obligations for services in the field, as always in the bureau, I add their names, etc.: Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, Acting Inspector General; Major J. L. Smith, Captain R. E. Lee (as distinguished for felicitous execution as for science and daring), Captain Mason, Lieutenants Stevens, Beauregard, Tower, G. W. Smith, George B. McClellan, and Foster, all of the Engineers; Major Turnbull, Captain J. McClellan, and Lieutenant Hardcastle, Topographical Engineers; Captain Huger and Lieutenant Hagner, of the Ordnance; Captains Irwin and Wayne, of the Quartermaster's Department; Captain Grayson, of the Commissariat; Surgeon-General Lawson, in his particular department; Captain H. L. Scott, Acting Adjutant-General; Lieutenant T. Williams, Aid-de-Camp, and Lieutenant Lay, Military Secretary.

Lieutenant Schuyler Hamilton, another aid-de-camp, had a week before been thrown out of activity by a severe wound received in a successful charge of cavalry against cavalry, and four times his numbers; but on the 20th, I had the valuable services, as volunteer aids, of Majors Kirby and Van Buren, of the Pay Department, always eager for activity and distinction, and of a third, the gallant Major J. P. Gaines, of the Kentucky Volunteers.

I have the honor to be, Sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

_____

General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, Tacubaya, near Mexico, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. September 11, 1847.

Sir: I have heretofore reported that I had, August 24, concluded an armistice with President Santa Anna, which was promptly followed by meetings between Mr. Trist and Mexican commissioners appointed to treat of peace.

Negotiations were actively continued with, as was understood, some prospect of a successful result, up to the 2d instant, when our commissioner handed in his ultimatum (on boundaries), and the negotiators adjourned to meet again on the 6th.

Some infractions of the truce in respect to our supplies from the city, were earlier committed, followed by apologies on the part of the enemy. These vexations I was willing to put down to the imbecility of the government, and waived any pointed demands of reparation while any hope remained of a satisfactory termination of the war. But on the 5th, and more fully on the sixth, (p. 324) I learned that as soon as the ultimatum had been considered in a grand council of ministers and others, President Santa Anna on the 4th or 5th, without giving me the slightest notice, actively recommenced strengthening the military defences of the city, in gross violation of the 3d article of the armistice.

On that information, which has since received the fullest verification, I addressed to him my note of the 6th. His reply, dated the same day, received the next morning, was absolutely and notoriously false, both in recrimination and explanation. I enclose copies of both papers, and have had no subsequent correspondence with the enemy.

Being delayed by the terms of the armistice more than two weeks, we had now, late on the 7th, to begin to reconnoitre the different approaches to the city, within our reach, before I could lay down any definitive plan of attack.

The same afternoon a large body of the enemy was discovered hovering about the Molinos del Rey, within a mile and a third of this village, where I am quartered with the general staff and Worth's division.

It might have been supposed that an attack upon us was intended; but knowing the great value to the enemy of those mills (Molinos del Rey), containing a cannon foundry, with a large deposit of powder in Casa Mata near them, and having heard two days before that many church bells had been sent to be cast into guns, the movement was easily understood, and I resolved at once to drive him early the next morning, to seize the powder, and to destroy the foundry.

Another motive for this decision, leaving the general plan of attack upon the city for full reconnoissance, was, that we knew our recent captures had left the enemy not a fourth of the guns necessary to arm, all at the same time, the strong works at each of the eight city gates; and we could not cut the communication between the foundry and the capital without first taking the formidable castle on the heights of Chapultepec, which overlooked both and stood between.

For this difficult operation we were not entirely ready, and moreover we might altogether neglect the castle, if, as we then hoped, our reconnoissances should prove that the distant southern approaches to the city were more eligible than this southwestern one.

Hence the decision promptly taken, the execution of which was assigned to Brevet Major-General Worth, whose division was re-enforced with Cadwallader's brigade of Pillow's division, three squadrons of dragoons under Major Sumner, and some heavy guns of the siege train under Captain Huger of the Ordnance, and Captain Drum of the 4th Artillery, two officers of the highest merit.

For the decisive and brilliant results, I beg to refer to the report of the immediate commander, Major-General Worth, in whose commendations of the gallant officers and men, dead and living, I heartily concur, having witnessed, but with little indifference, their noble devotion to fame and to country.

The enemy having several times re-enforced his line, and the action soon becoming much more general than I had expected, I called up, from the distance of three miles, first Major-General Pillow, with his remaining brigade (Pierce's), and next Riley's brigade of Twiggs' division, leaving his other brigade (Smith's) in observation at San Angel. Those corps approached with zeal (p. 325) and rapidity, but the battle was won just as Brigadier-General Pierce reached the ground, and had interposed his corps between Garland's brigade (Worth's division) and the retreating enemy.

The accompanying report mentions, with just commendation, two of my volunteer aids: Major Kirby, Paymaster, and Major Gaines, of the Kentucky Volunteers. I also had the valuable services, on the same field, of several officers of my staff, general and personal: Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, Acting Inspector-General; Captain R. E. Lee, Engineer; Captain Irwin, Chief Quartermaster; Captain Grayson, Chief Commissary; Captain H. L. Scott, Acting Adjutant-General; Lieutenant Williams, Aid-de-Camp; and Lieutenant Lay, Military Secretary.

I have the honor to be, Sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

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General Scott to the Secretary of War.

To the Honorable Headquarters of the Army, William L. MARCY, National Palace of Mexico, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. September 18th, 1847.

Sir: At the end of another series of arduous and brilliant operations of more than forty-eight hours' continuance, this glorious army hoisted, on the morning of the 14th, the colors of the United States on the walls of this palace.

The victory of the 8th, at the Molinos del Rey, was followed by daring reconnaissances on the part of our distinguished engineers, Captain Lee, Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower: Major Smith, senior, being sick, and Captain Mason, third in rank, wounded. Their operations were directed principally to the south, towards the gates of the Piedad, San Angel, (Nino Perdido,) San Antonio, and the Paseo de la Viga.

This city stands on a slight swell of ground, near the centre of an irregular basin, and is girdled with a ditch in its greater extent, a navigable canal of great breadth and depth, very difficult to bridge in the presence of an enemy, and serving at once for drainage, custom-house purposes, and military defence; leaving eight entrances or gates, over arches, each of which we found defended by a system of strong works, that seemed to require nothing but some men and guns to be impregnable.

Outside and within the cross-fires of those gates, we found to the south other obstacles but little less formidable. All the approaches near the city are over elevated causeways, cut in many places (to oppose us), and flanked on both sides by ditches, also of unusual dimensions. The numerous cross-roads are flanked in like manner, having bridges at the intersections, recently broken. The meadows thus checkered are, moreover, in many spots, under water or marshy; for, it will be remembered, we were in the midst of the wet season, though with less rain than usual, and we could not wait for the fall of the neighboring lakes and the consequent drainage of the wet grounds at the edge of the (p. 326) city, the lowest in the whole basin.

After a close personal survey of the southern gates, covered by Pillow's division and Riley's brigade of Twiggs', with four times our numbers concentrated in our immediate front, I determined on the 11th to avoid that network of obstacles, and to seek, by a sudden diversion to the southwest and west, less unfavorable approaches.

To economize the lives of our gallant officers and men, as well as to ensure success, it became indispensable that this resolution should be long masked from the enemy; and again, that the new movement, when discovered, should be mistaken for a feint, and the old as indicating our true and ultimate point of attack.

Accordingly, on the spot, the 11th, I ordered Quitman's division from Coyoacan, to join Pillow, by daylight, before the southern gates, and then that the two major-generals, with their divisions, should, by night, proceed (two miles) to join me at Tacubaya, where I was quartered with Worth's division. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade and Captain Taylor's and Steptoe's field batteries, the latter of twelve-pounders, was left in front of those gates to manoeuvre, to threaten, or to make false attacks, in order to occupy and deceive the enemy. Twiggs' other brigade (Smith's) was left at supporting distance, in the rear, at San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, and also to support our general depot at Miscoac. The stratagem against the south was admirably executed throughout the 12th and down to the afternoon of the 13th, when it was too late for the enemy to recover from the effects of his delusion.

The first step in the new movement was to carry Chapultepec, a natural and isolated mound of great elevation, strongly fortified at its base, on its acclivities and heights. Besides a numerous garrison, here was the military college of the republic, with a large number of sub-lieutenants and other students. Those works were within direct gun-shot of the village of Tacubaya, and, until carried, we could not approach the city on the west without making a circuit too wide and too hazardous.

In the course of the same night (that of the 11th) heavy batteries, within easy ranges, were established. No. 1, on our right, under the command of Captain Drum, 4th Artillery (relieved late next day, for some hours, by Lieutenant Andrews, of the 3d), and No. 2, commanded by Lieutenant Hagner, Ordnance, both supported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former, by Captain Brooks and Lieutenant S. S. Anderson, 2d Artillery, alternately, and the latter by Lieutenant Stone, Ordnance. The batteries were traced by Captain Huger and Captain Lee, Engineer, and constructed by them with the able assistance of the young officers of those corps and the Artillery.

To prepare for an assault, it was foreseen that the play of the batteries might run into the second day; but recent captures had not only trebled our siege-pieces, but also our ammunition; and we knew that we should greatly augment both by carrying the place. I was, therefore, in no haste in ordering an assault before the works were well crippled by our missiles.

The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of Captain Huger, were commenced early in the morning of the 12th. Before nightfall, which necessarily stopped our batteries, we had perceived that a good impression had been made on the castle and its outworks, and that a large body of the enemy had remained outside, towards the city, from an early hour to avoid our (p. 327) fire, and to be at hand on its cessation, in order to re-enforce the garrison against an assault. The same outside force was discovered the next morning, after our batteries had re-opened upon the castle, by which we again reduced its garrison to the minimum needed for the guns.

Pillow and Quitman had been in position since early in the night of the 11th. Major-General Worth was now ordered to hold his division in reserve, near the foundry, to support Pillow; and Brigadier-General Smith, of Twiggs' division, had just arrived with his brigade from Piedad (two miles), to support Quitman. Twiggs' guns, before the southern gates, again reminded us, as the day before, that he, with Riley's brigade, and Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries, was in activity, threatening the southern gates, and there holding a great part of the Mexican army on the defensive.

Worth's division furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting party of some two hundred and fifty volunteer officers and men, under Captain McKenzie, of the 2d Artillery; and Twiggs' division supplied a similar one, commanded by Captain Casey, 2d Infantry, to Quitman. Each of these little columns was furnished with scaling ladders.

The signal I had appointed for the attack was the momentary cessation of fire on the part of our heavy batteries. About 8 o'clock in the morning of the 13th, judging that the time had arrived by the effect of the missiles we had thrown, I sent an aid-de-camp to Pillow, and another to Quitman, with notice that the concerted signal was about to be given. Both columns now advanced with an alacrity that gave assurance of prompt success. The batteries, seizing opportunities, threw shots and shells upon the enemy over the heads of our men, with good effect, particularly at every attempt to re-enforce the works from without to meet our assault.

Major-General Pillow's approach, on the west side, lay through an open grove, filled with sharp-shooters, who were speedily dislodged; when being up with the front of the attack, and emerging into open space, at the foot of a rocky acclivity, that gallant leader was struck down by an agonizing wound. The immediate command devolved on Brigadier-General Cadwallader, in the absence of the senior brigadier (Pierce) of the same division, an invalid since the events of August 19. On a previous call of Pillow, Worth had just sent him a re-enforcement, Colonel Clarke's brigade.

The broken acclivity was still to be ascended, and a strong redoubt, midway, to be carried, before reaching the castle on the heights. The advance of our brave men, led by brave officers, though necessarily slow, was unwavering, over rocks, chasms, and mines, and under the hottest fire of cannon and musketry. The redoubt now yielded to resistless valor, and the shouts that followed announced to the castle the fate that impended. The enemy were steadily driven from shelter to shelter. The retreat allowed no time to fire a single mine, without the certainty of blowing up friend and foe. Those who at a distance attempted to apply matches to the long trains, were shot down by our men. There was death below, as well as above ground. At length the ditch and wall of the main work was reached; the scaling ladders were brought up and planted by the storming parties; some of the daring spirits first in the assault were cast down, killed or wounded; but a lodgment was soon made; streams of heroes (p. 328) followed; all opposition was overcome, and several of our regimental colors flung out from the upper walls, amidst long-continued shouts and cheers, which sent dismay into the capital. No scene could have been more animating or glorious.

Major-General Quitman, nobly supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields and Smith, (P. F.,) his other officers and men, was up with the part assigned him. Simultaneously with the movement on the west, he had gallantly approached the southeast of the same works, over a causeway with cuts and batteries, and defended by an army strongly posted outside, to the east of the works. Those formidable obstacles Quitman had to face, with but little shelter for his troops or space for manoeuvring. Deep ditches flanked the causeway, made it difficult to cross on either side into the adjoining meadows, and these again were intersected by other ditches. Smith and his brigade had been early thrown out to make a sweep to the right, in order to present a front against the enemy's lines, (outside,) and to turn two intervening batteries near the foot of Chapultepec. This movement was also intended to support Quitman's storming parties, both on the causeway. The first of these, furnished by Twiggs' division, was commanded in succession by Captain Casey, 2d Infantry, and Captain Paul, 7th Infantry, after Casey had been severely wounded; and the second, originally under the gallant Major Twiggs, Marine Corps, killed, and then Captain Miller, 2d Pennsylvania Volunteers. The storming party, now commanded by Captain Paul, seconded by Captain Roberts, of the Rifles, Lieutenant Stewart, and others of the same regiment, Smith's brigade, carried the two batteries in the road, took some guns, with many prisoners, and drove the enemy posted behind in support. The New York and South Carolina Volunteers (Shields' brigade) and the 2d Pennsylvania Volunteers, all on the left of Quitman's line, together with portions of his storming parties, crossed the meadows in front, under a heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure of Chapultepec just in time to join in the final assault from the west.

Besides Major-Generals Pillow and Quitman, Brigadier-Generals Shields, Smith, and Cadwallader, the following are the officers and corps most distinguished in those brilliant operations: The Voltigeur regiment in two detachments, commanded respectively by Colonel Andrews and Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone, the latter mostly in the lead, accompanied by Major Caldwell; Captains Barnard and Biddle, of the same regiment, the former the first to plant a regimental color, and the latter among the first in the assault; the storming party of Worth's division, under Captain McKenzie, 2d Artillery, with Lieutenant Selden, 8th Infantry, early on the ladder and badly wounded; Lieutenant Armistead, 6th Infantry, the first to leap into the ditch to plant a ladder; Lieutenants Rodgers of the 4th, and J. P. Smith of the 5th Infantry, both mortally wounded; the 9th Infantry, under Colonel Ransom, who was killed while gallantly leading that gallant regiment, the 15th Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard and Major Woods, with Captain Chase, whose company gallantly carried the redoubt, midway up the acclivity; Colonel Clarke's brigade (Worth's division) consisting of the 5th, 8th, and part of the 6th regiments of Infantry, commanded respectively by Captain Chapman, Major Montgomery, and Lieutenant Edward Johnson, the latter specially noticed, with Lieutenants Longstreet (badly wounded, advancing, colors in hand), Pickett, and Merchant, the last three of the 8th Infantry; portions of the United States (p. 329) marines, New York, South Carolina, and 2d Pennsylvania Volunteers, which, delayed with their division (Quitman's) by the hot engagement below, arrived just in time to participate in the assault of the heights, particularly a detachment under Lieutenant Reid, New York Volunteers, consisting of a company of the same, with one of marines; and another detachment, a portion of the storming party, (Twiggs' division, serving with Quitman,) under Lieutenant Steele, 2d Infantry, after the fall of Lieutenant Gantt, 7th Infantry.

In this connection, it is but just to recall the decisive effect of the heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, commanded by those excellent officers, Captain Drum, 4th Artillery, assisted by Lieutenants Benjamin and Porter of his own company; Captain Brooks and Lieutenant Anderson, 2d Artillery, assisted by Lieutenant Russell, 4th Infantry, a volunteer; Lieutenants Hagner and Stone of the Ordnance, and Lieutenant Andrews, 3d Artillery; the whole superintended by Captain Huger, chief of Ordnance with this army, an officer distinguished by every kind of merit. The mountain howitzer battery, under Lieutenant Reno, of the Ordnance, deserves, also, to be particularly mentioned. Attached to the Voltigeurs, it followed the movements of that regiment, and again won applause.

In adding to the list of individuals of conspicuous merit, I must limit myself to a few of the many names which might be enumerated. Captain Hooker, assistant adjutant-general, who won special applause, successively, in the staff of Pillow and Cadwallader; Lieutenant Lovell, 4th Artillery (wounded), chief of Quitman's staff; Captain Page, assistant adjutant-general (wounded), and Lieutenant Hammond, 3d Artillery, both of Shields' staff, and Lieutenant Van Dorn (17th Infantry), aid-de-camp to Brigadier-General Smith.

Those operations all occurred on the west, southeast, and heights of Chapultepec. To the north and at the base of the mound, inaccessible on that side, the 11th Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Hebert, the 14th, under Colonel Trousdale, and Captain Magruder's field battery, 1st Artillery: one section advanced under Lieutenant Jackson, all of Pillow's division, had, at the same time, some spirited affairs against superior numbers, driving the enemy from a battery in the road, and capturing a gun. In these, the officers and corps named gained merited praise. Colonel Trousdale, the commander, though twice wounded, continued on duty until the heights were carried.

Early in the morning of the 13th, I repeated the orders of the night before to Major-General Worth, to be, with his division, at hand to support the movement of Major-General Pillow from our left. The latter seems soon to have called for that entire division, standing momentarily in reserve, and Worth sent him Colonel Clarke's brigade. The call, if not unnecessary, was at least, from the circumstances, unknown to me at the time; for, soon observing that the very large body of the enemy, in the road in front of Major-General Quitman's right, was receiving re-enforcements from the city, less than a mile and a half to the east, I sent instructions to Worth, on our opposite flank, to turn Chapultepec with his division, and to proceed cautiously by the road at its northern base, in order, if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or to attack, in rear, that body of the enemy. The movement, it was also believed, could not fail to distract and to intimidate the enemy generally.

Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade, Colonel (p. 330) Garland's, Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith's light battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's field battery, all of his division, and three squadrons of dragoons, under Major Sumner, which I had just ordered up to join in the movement.

Having turned the forest on the west, and arriving opposite to the north centre of Chapultepec, Worth came up with the troops in the road, under Colonel Trousdale, and aided, by a flank movement of a part of Garland's brigade, in taking the one gun breastwork, then under the fire of Lieutenant Jackson's section of Captain Magruder's field battery. Continuing to advance, this division passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the enemy's line, resting on that road, about the moment of the general retreat consequent upon the capture of the formidable castle and its outworks.

Arriving some minutes later, and mounting to the top of the castle, the whole field to the east lay plainly under my view.

There are two routes from Chapultepec to the capital, the one on the right entering the same gate, Belen, with the road from the south, via Piedad; and the other obliquing to the left, to intersect the great western or San Cosmo road, in a suburb outside of the gate of San Cosmo.

Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a double roadway on the sides of an aqueduct of strong masonry and great height, resting on open arches and massive pillars, which together afford fine points both for attack and defence. The sideways of both aqueducts are, moreover, defended by many strong breastworks at the gates, and before reaching them. As we had expected, we found the four tracks unusually dry and solid for the season.

Worth and Quitman were prompt in pursuing the retreating enemy, the former by the San Cosmo aqueduct, and the latter along that of Belen. Each had now advanced some hundred yards.

Deeming it all important to profit by our successes, and the consequent dismay of the enemy, which could not be otherwise than general, I hastened to dispatch from Chapultepec, first Clarke's brigade, and then Cadwallader's, to the support of Worth, and gave orders that the necessary heavy guns should follow. Pierce's brigade was, at the same time, sent to Quitman, and, in the course of the afternoon, I caused some additional siege pieces to be added to his train. Then, after designating the 15th Infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Howard (Morgan, the Colonel, had been disabled by a wound at Churubusco), as the garrison of Chapultepec, and giving directions for the care of the prisoners of war, the captured ordnance and ordnance stores, I proceeded to join the advance of Worth, within the suburb, and beyond the turn at the junction of the aqueduct with the great highway from the west to the gate of San Cosmo.

At this junction of roads, we first passed one of these formidable systems of city defences, spoken of above, and it had not a gun! a strong proof, 1. That the enemy had expected us to fail in the attack upon Chapultepec, even if we meant anything more than a feint; 2. That, in either case, we designed, in his belief, to return and double our forces against the southern gates: a delusion kept up by the active demonstration of Twiggs and the forces posted on that side; and, 3. That advancing rapidly from the reduction of Chapultepec, the enemy had not time to shift guns--our previous captures had left him, (p. 331) comparatively, but few--from the southern gates.

Within those disgarnished works, I found our troops engaged in a street fight against the enemy posted in gardens, at windows, and on house-tops, all flat, with parapets. Worth ordered forward the mountain howitzers of Cadwallader's brigade, preceded by skirmishers and pioneers with pickaxes and crowbars, to force windows and doors, or to burrow through walls. The assailants were soon in an equality of position fatal to the enemy. By eight o'clock in the evening, Worth had carried two batteries in this suburb. According to my instructions, he here posted guards and sentinels, and placed his troops under shelter for the night. There was but one more obstacle, the San Cosmo gate, (custom-house,) between him and the great square in front of the cathedral and palace, the heart of the city; and that barrier it was known could not, by daylight, resist our siege guns thirty minutes.

I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some hours earlier, in order to be near that new depot, and in easy communication with Quitman and Twiggs, as well as with Worth.

From this point I ordered all detachments and stragglers to their respective corps, then in advance; sent to Quitman additional siege guns, ammunition, intrenching tools; directed Twiggs' remaining brigade, Riley's from Piedad, to support Worth, and Captain Steptoe's field battery, also at Piedad, to rejoin Quitman's division.

I had been, from the first, well aware that the western or San Cosmo, was the less difficult route to the centre, and conquest of the capital, and therefore intended that Quitman should only manoeuvre and threaten the Belen or southwestern gate, in order to favor the main attack by Worth, knowing that the strong defences at the Belen were directly under the guns of the much stronger fortress, called the citadel, just within. Both of these defences of the enemy were also within easy supporting distance from San Angel (or Nino Perdido) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, in numbers, given to Worth's movement as the main attack.

These views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, communicated to Major-General Quitman; but being in hot pursuit, gallant himself, and ably supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields and Smith, Shields badly wounded before Chapultepec, and refusing to retire, as well as by all the officers and men of the column, Quitman continued to press forward, under flank and direct fires, carried an intermediate battery of two guns, and then the gate, before two o'clock in the afternoon, but not without proportionate loss, increased by his steady maintenance of that position.

Here, of the heavy battery, (4th Artillery,) Captain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieutenant Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of those two most distinguished officers the army will long mourn. Lieutenants J. B. Morange and William Canty, of the South Carolina Volunteers, also of high merit, fell on the same occasion, besides many of our bravest non-commissioned officers and men, particularly in Captain Drum's veteran company. I cannot, in this place, give names or numbers; but full returns of the killed and wounded, of all corps, in their recent operations, will accompany this report.

Quitman within the city, adding several new defences to the position he had won, and sheltering his corps as well as practicable, now awaited the return of daylight under the guns of the formidable citadel, yet to be subdued.

About 4 o'clock next morning (September 14th) a deputation (p. 332) of the ayuntamiento (city council) waited upon me to report that the federal government and the army of Mexico had fled from the capital some three hours before; and to demand terms of capitulation in favor of the church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities. I promptly replied that I would sign no capitulation; that the city had been virtually in our possession from the time of the lodgments effected by Worth and Quitman the day before; that I regretted the silent escape of the Mexican army; that I should levy upon the city a moderate contribution, for special purposes; and that the American army should come under no terms not self-imposed: such only as its own honor, the dignity of the United States, and the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously demand and impose.

For the terms, so imposed, I refer the department to subsequent General Orders, Nos. 287 and 289 (paragraphs 7, 8, and 9 of the latter), copies of which are herewith enclosed.

At the termination of the interview with the city deputation, I communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Quitman to advance slowly and cautiously (to guard against treachery) towards the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more commanding points. Quitman proceeded to the great plaza or square, planted guards, and hoisted the colors of the United States on the national palace, containing the halls of Congress and executive departments of Federal Mexico. In this grateful service Quitman might have been anticipated by Worth, but for my express orders, halting the latter at the head of the Alameda (a green park), within three squares of that goal of general ambition. The capital, however, was not taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, the gallantry, the prowess of this entire army. In the glorious conquest all had contributed, early and powerfully, the killed, the wounded, and the fit for duty, at Vera Cruz, Cerro-Gordo, Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, (three battles,) the Molinos del Rey, and Chapultepec, as much as those who fought at the gates of Belen and San Cosmo.

Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupying the city, a fire was opened upon us from the flat roofs of the houses, from windows and corners of streets, by some two thousand convicts, liberated the night before by the flying government, joined by perhaps as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and thrown off their uniforms. This unlawful war lasted more than twenty-four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal authorities, and was not put down till we had lost many men, including several officers, killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. Their objects were to gratify national hatred, and in the general alarm and confusion, to plunder the wealthy inhabitants, particularly the deserted houses. But families are now generally returning; business of every kind has been resumed, and the city is already tranquil and cheerful, under the admirable conduct (with exceptions very few and trifling) of our gallant troops.

This army has been more disgusted than surprised that by some sinister process on the part of certain individuals at home, its numbers have been, generally, almost trebled in our public papers, beginning at Washington.

Leaving, as we all feared, inadequate garrisons at Vera Cruz, Perote, and Puebla, with much larger hospitals; and being obliged, most reluctantly, from the same cause (general (p. 333) paucity of numbers) to abandon Jalapa, we marched (August 7-10) from Puebla with only 10,738 rank and file. This number includes the garrison of Jalapa, and the 2,429 men brought up by Brigadier-General Pierce, August 6.

At Contreras, Churubusco, etc. (August 20), we had but 8,497 men engaged, after deducting the garrison of San Augustin (our general depot), the intermediate sick and the dead; at the Molinos del Rey (September 8), but three brigades, with some cavalry and artillery, making in all 3,251 men, were in battle; in the two days, September 12th and 13th, our whole operating force, after deducting again the recent killed, wounded, and sick, together with the garrison of Miscoac (the then general depot) and that of Tacubaya, was but 7,180; and, finally, after deducting the new garrison of Chapultepec, with the killed and wounded of the two days, we took possession (September 14th) of this great capital with less than 6,000 men. And I re-assert, upon accumulated and unquestionable evidence, that, in not one of those conflicts was this army opposed by fewer than three and a half times its numbers, in several of them, by a yet greater excess. I recapitulate our losses since we arrived in the basin of Mexico.

August 19-20. Killed, 137, including 14 officers. Wounded, 877, including 62 officers. Missing (probably killed), 38 rank and file. Total 1,052.

September 8. Killed, 116, including 9 officers. Wounded, 665, including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total 789.

September 12, 13, 14. Killed, 130, including 10 officers. Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 29 rank and file. Total 862.

Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 383 officers.

On the other hand, this small force has beaten on the same occasions in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at the beginning) thirty odd thousand men; posted always in chosen positions, behind intrenchments, or more formidable defences of nature and art; killed or wounded, of that number, more than 7,000 officers and men; taken 3,730 prisoners, one-seventh officers, including 13 generals, of whom 3 have been presidents of this republic; captured more than 20 colors and standards, 75 pieces of ordnance, besides 57 wall pieces, 20,000 small arms, an immense quantity of shots, shells, powder, &c., &c.

Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appointments, artillery, &c., twenty odd thousand have disbanded themselves in despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments, the largest about 2,500, now wandering in different directions, without magazines or a military chest, and living at free quarters upon their own people.

General Santa Anna, himself a fugitive, is believed to be on the point of resigning the chief magistracy, and escaping to neutral Guatemala. A new president, no doubt, will soon be declared, and the federal Congress is expected to reassemble at Queretaro, 125 miles north of this, on the Zacatecas road, some time in October. I have seen and given safe conduct through this city to several of its members. The government will find itself without resources; no army, no arsenals, no magazines, and but little revenue, internal or external. Still, such is the obstinacy, or rather infatuation, of this people, that it is very doubtful whether the new authorities will dare to sue for peace on terms which in the recent negotiations were made known by our minister.

In conclusion, I beg to enumerate, once more, with due (p. 334) commendation and thanks, the distinguished staff officers, general and personal, who, in our last operations in front of the enemy, accompanied me, and communicated orders to every point and through every danger. Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, Acting Inspector-General, Major Turnbull and Lieutenant Hardcastle, Topographical Engineers; Major Kirby, Chief Paymaster; Captain Irwin, Chief Quartermaster; Captain Grayson, Chief Commissary; Captain H. L. Scott, Chief in the Adjutant-General's Department; Lieutenant Williams, Aid-de-Camp; Lieutenant Lay, Military Secretary; and Major J. P. Gaines, Kentucky Cavalry, volunteer Aid-de-Camp; Captain Lee, Engineer, so constantly distinguished, also bore important orders from me (September 13), until he fainted from a wound and the loss of two nights' sleep at the batteries. Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens and Tower, all wounded, were employed with the divisions, and Lieutenants G. W. Smith and G. B. McClellan, with the company of sappers and miners. Those fine Lieutenants of Engineers, like their Captain, won the admiration of all about them. The ordnance officers, Captain Huger, Lieutenants Hagner, Stone, and Reno, were highly effective, and distinguished at the several batteries; and I must add that Captain McKinstry, Assistant Quartermaster, at the close of the operations, executed several important commissions for me as a special volunteer.

Surgeon-General Lawson, and the medical staff generally, were skillful and untiring, in and out of fire, in ministering to the numerous wounded.

To illustrate the operations in this basin, I enclose two beautiful drawings, prepared under the directions of Major Turnbull, mostly from actual surveys.

I have the honor to be, Sir, with high respect, your most obedient servant, Winfield SCOTT.

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General Orders No. 286.

Head-quarters of the Army, National Palace of Mexico, September, 1847.

The general-in-chief calls upon his brethren in arms to return, both in public and in private worship, thanks and gratitude to God for the signal triumphs which they have recently achieved for their country.

Beginning with the 19th of August, and ending the 14th instant, this army has gallantly fought its way through the fields and forts of Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molinos del Rey, Chapultepec, and the gates of San Cosmo and Tacubaya or Belen, into the capital of Mexico.

When the very limited numbers who have performed those brilliant deeds shall have become known, the whole world will be astonished, and our own countrymen filled with joy and admiration.

But all is not yet done. The enemy, though scattered and (p. 335) dismayed, has still many fragments of his late army hovering about us, and aided by an exasperated population, he may again reunite in treble our numbers, and fall upon us to advantage if we rest inactive on the security of past victories.

Compactness, vigilance, and discipline are, therefore, our only securities. Let every good officer and man look to those cautions and enjoin them upon all others.

By command of Major-General Scott, H. L. SCOTT, Acting Adjutant-General.

No. 63. (p. 336) PLATE LXIV.

February 22 and 23, 1847.

Major General Zachary Taylor, etc. [Rx]. Buena Vista Feb 22. &. 23. 1847.

MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR.

[Victory of Buena Vista.]

MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS: MAY 9. 1848. Undraped bust of General Taylor, facing the right; underneath, branches of oak and laurel, S. ELLIS. DEL. (delineavit.) C. C. WRIGHT. F. (fecit).

BUENA VISTA FEB. 22. & 23. 1847. Within a circle formed by two serpents, one of which is a rattlesnake, the American army, commanded by General Taylor, is repulsing the attack of the Mexicans. Beneath are branches of cactus and oak. F. A. SMITH DEL. (delineavit.) C. C. WRIGHT SCULP. (sculpsit).

FREDERIC AUGUSTUS SMITH was graduated at West Point as second lieutenant of engineers, July 1, 1833. He was appointed captain, July, 1838, and died in Washington, District of Columbia, October 16, 1852. He designed the reverse of the medal to Major-General Taylor for Buena Vista.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

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 assembled: That the thanks of Congress are due, and they are hereby tendered to Major-General Zachary Taylor, and, through him, to the officers and soldiers of the regular army and of the volunteers under (p. 337) his command, for their valor, skill, and good conduct, conspicuously displayed, on the twenty-second and twenty-third days of February last, in the battle of Buena Vista, in defeating a Mexican army of more than four times their number, consisting of chosen troops, under their favorite commander, General Santa Anna.

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

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause the foregoing resolutions to be communicated to Major-General Taylor in such terms as he may deem best calculated to give effect to the object thereof.

Approved May 9, 1848.

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General Taylor to the Adjutant-General of the Army.

To Headquarters, Army of Occupation, THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY, Agua Nueva, March 6, 1847. Washington, D. C.

Sir: I have the honor to submit a detailed report of the operations of the forces under my command, which resulted in the engagement of Buena Vista, the repulse of the Mexican army, and the re-occupation of this position.

The information which reached me of the advance and concentration of a heavy Mexican force in my front, had assumed such a probable form, as to induce a special examination far beyond the reach of our pickets to ascertain its correctness. A small party of Texan spies, under Major McCulloch, dispatched to the hacienda of Encarnacion, thirty miles from this, on the route to San Louis Potosi, had reported a cavalry force of unknown strength at that place. On the 20th of February, a strong reconnoissance under Lieutenant-Colonel May was dispatched to the hacienda of Heclionda, while Major McCulloch made another examination of Encarnacion. The result of these expeditions left no doubt that the enemy was in large force at Encarnacion, under the orders of General Santa Anna, and that he meditated a forward movement, and attack upon our position.

As the camp of Agua Nueva could be turned on either flank, and as the enemy's force was greatly superior to our own, particularly in the arm of cavalry, I determined, after much consideration, to take up a position about eleven miles in rear, and there await the attack. The army broke up its camp and marched at noon on the 21st, encamping at the new position a little in front of the hacienda of Buena Vista. With a small force I proceeded to (p. 338) Saltillo, to make some necessary arrangements for the defence of the town, leaving Brigadier-General Wool in the immediate command of the troops.

Before those arrangements were completed, on the morning of the 22d, I was advised that the enemy was in sight, advancing. Upon reaching the ground, it was found that his cavalry advance was in our front, having marched from Encarnacion, as we have since learned, at eleven o'clock on the day previous, and driving in a mounted force, left Agua Nueva to cover the removal of public stores. Our troops were in position, occupying a line of remarkable strength. The road at this point becomes a narrow defile, the valley on its right being rendered quite impracticable for artillery by a system of deep and impassable gullies, while on the left a succession of rugged ridges and precipitous ravines extends far back toward the mountain which bounds the valley. The features of the ground were such as nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the enemy, while his infantry could not derive all the advantages of its numerical superiority. In this position we prepared to receive him. Captain Washington's battery (4th Artillery) was posted to command the road, while the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments, under Colonels Hardin and Bissell, each eight companies (to the latter of which was attached Captain Conner's company of Texas Volunteers), and the 2d Kentucky, under Colonel McKee, occupied the crests of the ridges on the left and in rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of cavalry, commanded by Colonels Yell and H. Marshall, occupied the extreme left near the base of the mountain, while the Indiana brigade, under Brigadier-General Lane (composed of the 2d and 3d regiments, under Colonels Bowles and Lane), the Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, the squadrons of the 1st and 2d Dragoons, under Captain Steen and Lieutenant-Colonel May, and the light batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg, 3d Artillery, were held in reserve.

At eleven o'clock I received from General Santa Anna the following summons to surrender at discretion:

"Camp at Encantada, February 22d, 1847.

"To "GENERAL Z. TAYLOR, "Commanding the Forces of the United States. "God and Liberty!

"You are surrounded by 20,000 men, and cannot, in any human probability, avoid suffering a route, and being cut to pieces with your troops; but as you deserve consideration and particular esteem, I wish to save you from a catastrophe, and for that purpose give you this notice, in order that you may surrender at discretion, under the assurance that you will be treated with the consideration belonging to the Mexican character, to which end you will be granted an hour's time to make up your mind, to commence from the moment when my flag of truce arrives in your camp.

"With this view, I assure you of my particular consideration,

"Antonio LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA."

To this summons I immediately replied in these terms: (p. 339)

"Headquarters, Army Of Occupation, "Near Buena Vista, February 22, 1847.

"SEÑOR GENERAL DON ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA, "Commander-in-Chief, La Encantada.

"Sir: In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to surrender my forces at discretion, I beg leave to say that I decline acceding to your request.

"With high respect, I am, Sir, your obedient servant, "Z. TAYLOR, "Major-General United States Army, commanding."

The enemy still forbore his attack, evidently waiting for the arrival of his rear columns, which could be distinctly seen by our look-outs as they approached the field. A demonstration made on his left caused me to detach the 2d Kentucky regiment and a section of artillery to our right, in which position they bivouacked for the night. In the mean time the Mexican light troops had engaged ours on the extreme left (composed of parts of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle battalion from the Indiana brigade, under Major Gorman, the whole commanded by Colonel Marshall), and kept up a sharp fire, climbing the mountain side, and apparently endeavoring to gain our flank. Three pieces of Captain Washington's battery had been detached to the left, and were supported by the 2d Indiana regiment. An occasional shell was thrown by the enemy into this part of our line, but without effect. The skirmishing of the light troops was kept up with trifling loss on our part until dark, when I became convinced that no serious attack would be made before the morning, and returned, with the Mississippi regiment and squadron of 2d Dragoons, to Saltillo. The troops bivouacked without fires, and laid upon their arms. A body of cavalry, some 1500 strong, had been visible all day in rear of the town, having entered the valley through a narrow pass east of the city. This cavalry, commanded by General Minon, had evidently been thrown in our rear to break up and harass our retreat, and perhaps make some attempt against the town if practicable. The city was occupied by four excellent companies of Illinois volunteers, under Major Warren of the 1st regiment. A field-work, which commanded most of the approaches, was garrisoned by Captain Webster's company, 1st Artillery, and armed with two twenty-four-pound howitzers, while the train and headquarter camp was guarded by two companies of Mississippi riflemen, under Captain Rogers, and a field-piece commanded by Captain Shover, 3d Artillery. Having made these dispositions for the protection of the rear, I proceeded on the morning of the 23d to Buena Vista, ordering forward all the other available troops. The action had commenced before my arrival on the field.

During the evening and night of the 22d, the enemy had thrown a body of light troops on the mountain side, with the purpose of outflanking our left; and it was here that the action of the 23d commenced at an early hour. Our riflemen, under Colonel Marshall, who had been re-enforced by three companies, under Major Trail, 2d Illinois Volunteers, maintained their ground handsomely against a greatly superior force, holding themselves under (p. 340) cover, and using their weapons with deadly effect. About eight o'clock a strong demonstration was made against the centre of our position, a heavy column moving along the road. This force was soon dispersed by a few rapid and well-directed shots from Captain Washington's battery. In the mean time the enemy was concentrating a large force of infantry and cavalry under cover of the ridges, with the obvious intention of forcing our left, which was posted on an extensive plateau. The 2d Indiana and 2d Illinois regiments formed this part of our line, the former covering three pieces of light artillery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien, Brigadier-General Lane being in the immediate command. In order to bring his men within effective range, General Lane ordered the artillery and 2d Indiana regiment forward. The artillery advanced within musket range of a heavy body of Mexican infantry, and was served against it with great effect, but without being able to check its advance. The infantry ordered to its support had fallen back in disorder, being exposed, as well as the battery, not only to a severe fire of small arms from the front, but also to a murderous cross-fire of grape and canister from a Mexican battery on the left. Captain O'Brien found it impossible to retain his position without support, but was only able to withdraw two of his pieces, all the horses and cannoneers of the third piece being killed or disabled. The 2d Indiana regiment, which had fallen back as stated, could not be rallied, and took no further part in the action, except a handful of men, who, under its gallant colonel, Bowles, joined the Mississippi regiment; and did good service, and those fugitives who, at a later period in the day, assisted in defending the train and depot at Buena Vista. This portion of our line having given way, and the enemy appearing in overwhelming force against our left flank, the light troops which had rendered such good service on the mountain were compelled to withdraw, which they did, for the most part, in good order. Many, however, were not rallied until they reached the depot at Buena Vista, to the defence of which they afterward contributed.

Colonel Bissell's regiment (2d Illinois) which had been joined by a section of Captain Sherman's battery, had become completely outflanked, and was compelled to fall back, being entirely unsupported. The enemy was now pouring masses of infantry and cavalry along the base of the mountain on our left, and was gaining our rear in great force. At this moment I arrived upon the field. The Mississippi regiment had been directed to the left before reaching the position, and immediately came into action against the Mexican infantry which had turned our flank. The 2d Kentucky regiment, and a section of artillery under Captain Bragg, had previously been ordered from the right to re-enforce our left, and arrived at a most opportune moment. That regiment, and a portion of the 1st Illinois, under Colonel Hardin, gallantly drove the enemy, and recovered a portion of the ground we had lost. The batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg were in position on the plateau, and did much execution, not only in front, but particularly upon the masses which had gained our rear. Discovering that the enemy was heavily pressing upon the Mississippi regiment, the 3d Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, was despatched to strengthen that part of the line, which formed a crotchet perpendicular to the first line of battle. At the same time Lieutenant Kilburn, with a piece of Captain Bragg's battery, was directed to support the infantry there engaged. The action was, for a long time, warmly sustained at that point, (p. 341) the enemy making several efforts, both with infantry and cavalry, against our line, and being always repulsed with heavy loss. I had placed all the regular cavalry, and Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, under the orders of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel May, with directions to hold in check the enemy's column, still advancing to the rear along the base of the mountain, which was done in conjunction with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell.

In the mean time our left, which was still strongly threatened by a superior force, was farther strengthened by the detachment of Captain Bragg's, and a portion of Captain Sherman's batteries to that quarter. The concentration of artillery fire upon the masses of the enemy along the base of the mountain, and the determined resistance offered by the two regiments opposed to them, had created confusion in their ranks, and some of the corps attempted to effect a retreat upon their main line of battle. The squadron of the 1st Dragoons, under Lieutenant Rucker, was now ordered up the deep ravine which these retreating corps were endeavoring to cross, in order to charge and disperse them. The squadron proceeded to the point indicated, but could not accomplish the object, being exposed to a heavy fire from a battery established to cover the retreat of those corps. While the squadron was detached on this service, a large body of the enemy was observed to concentrate on our extreme left, apparently with the view of making a descent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, where our train and baggage were deposited. Lieutenant-Colonel May was ordered to the support of that point, with two pieces of Captain Sherman's battery under Lieutenant Reynolds. In the mean time, the scattered forces near the hacienda, composed in part of Majors Trail and Gorman's commands, had been, to some extent, organized under the advice of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, volunteer staff, and were posted to defend the position. Before our cavalry had reached the hacienda, that of the enemy had made its attack; having been handsomely met by the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell. The Mexican column immediately divided, one portion sweeping by the depot, where it received a destructive fire from the force which had collected there, and then gaining the mountain opposite, under a fire from Lieutenant Reynolds' section, the remaining portion regaining the base of the mountain on our left. In the charge at Buena Vista, Colonel Yell fell gallantly at the head of his regiment; we also lost Adjutant Vaughan, of the Kentucky cavalry, a young officer of much promise. Lieutenant-Colonel May, who had been rejoined by the squadron of the 1st Dragoons, and by portions of the Arkansas and Indiana troops, under Lieutenant-Colonel Roane and Major Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, holding in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whose masses, crowded in the narrow gorges and ravines, our artillery was doing fearful execution.

The position of that portion of the Mexican army which had gained our rear was now very critical, and it seemed doubtful whether it could regain the main body. At this moment I received from General Santa Anna a message by a staff officer, desiring to know what I wanted. I immediately dispatched Brigadier-General Wool to the Mexican general-in-chief and sent orders to cease firing. Upon reaching the Mexican lines, General Wool could not cause the enemy to cease their fire, and accordingly returned without (p. 342) having an interview. The extreme right of the enemy continued its retreat along the base of the mountain, and finally, in spite of all our efforts, effected a junction with the remainder of the army.

During the day, the cavalry of General Minon had ascended the elevated plain above Saltillo, and occupied the road from the city to the field of battle, where they intercepted several of our men. Approaching the town, they were fired upon by Captain Webster from the redoubt occupied by his company, and then moved off towards the eastern side of the valley, and obliquely toward Buena Vista. At this time Captain Shover moved rapidly forward with his piece, supported by a miscellaneous command of mounted volunteers, and fired several shots at the cavalry with great effect. They were driven into the ravines which lead to the lower valley, closely pursued by Captain Shover, who was farther supported by a piece of Captain Webster's battery, under Lieutenant Donaldson, which had advanced from the redoubt, supported by Captain Wheeler's company of Illinois volunteers. The enemy made one or two efforts to charge the artillery, but was finally driven back in a confused mass, and did not again appear upon the plain.

In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased upon the principal field. The enemy seemed to confine his efforts to the protection of his artillery, and I had left the plateau for a moment, when I was recalled thither by a very heavy musketry fire. On regaining that position, I discovered that our infantry (Illinois and 2d Kentucky) had engaged a greatly superior force of the enemy, evidently his reserve, and that they had been overwhelmed by numbers. The moment was most critical. Captain O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this heavy charge to the last, and was finally obliged to leave his guns on the field, his infantry support being entirely routed. Captain Bragg, who had just arrived from the left, was ordered at once into battery. Without any infantry to support him, and at the imminent risk of losing his guns, this officer came rapidly into action, the Mexican line being but a few yards from the muzzles of his pieces. The first discharge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate, the second and third drove him back in disorder, and saved the day. The 2d Kentucky regiment, which had advanced beyond supporting distance in this affair, was driven back and closely pressed by the enemy's cavalry. Taking a ravine which led in the direction of Captain Washington's battery, their pursuers became exposed to his fire, which soon checked and drove them back with loss. In the mean time, the rest of our artillery had taken position on the plateau, covered by the Mississippi and 3d Indiana regiments, the former of which had reached the ground in time to pour a fire into the right flank of the enemy, and thus contribute to his repulse. In this last conflict we had the misfortune to sustain a very heavy loss. Colonel Hardin, 1st Illinois, and Colonel McKee and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, 2d Kentucky regiment, fell at this time while gallantly leading their commands.

No further attempt was made by the enemy to force our position, and the approach of night gave an opportunity to pay proper attention to the wounded, and also to refresh the soldiers, who had been exhausted by incessant watchfulness and combat. Though the night was severely cold, the troops were compelled for the most to bivouack without fires, expecting that morning would renew the conflict. During the night the wounded were removed to Saltillo, and every preparation made to receive the enemy, (p. 343) should he again attack our position. Seven fresh companies were drawn from the town, and Brigadier-General Marshall, with a re-enforcement of Kentucky cavalry and four heavy guns, under Captain Prentiss, 1st Artillery, was near at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned his position during the night. Our scouts soon ascertained that he had fallen back upon Agua Nueva. The great disparity of numbers, and the exhaustion of our troops, rendered it inexpedient and hazardous to attempt pursuit. A staff officer was dispatched to General Santa Anna to negotiate an exchange of prisoners, which was satisfactorily completed on the following day. Our own dead were collected and buried, and the Mexican wounded, of which a large number had been left upon the field, were removed to Saltillo, and rendered as comfortable as circumstances would permit.

On the evening of the 26th, a close reconnoissance was made of the enemy's position, which was found to be occupied only by a small body of cavalry, the infantry and artillery having retreated in the direction of San Luis Potosi. On the 27th, our troops resumed their former camp at Agua Nueva, the enemy's rear guard evacuating the place as we approached, leaving a considerable number of wounded. It was my purpose to beat up his quarters at Encarnacion early the next morning, but upon examination, the weak condition of the cavalry horses rendered it unadvisable to attempt so long a march without water. A command was finally dispatched to Encarnacion, on the 1st of March, under Colonel Belknap. Some two hundred wounded, and about sixty Mexican soldiers were found there, the army having passed on in the direction of Matehuala, with greatly reduced numbers, and suffering much from hunger. The dead and dying were strewed upon the road and crowded the buildings of the hacienda.

The American force engaged in the action of Buena Vista was 344 officers and 4,425 men, exclusive of the small command left in and near Saltillo. Of this number, two squadrons of cavalry and three batteries of light artillery, making not more than 453 men, composed the only force of regular troops. The strength of the Mexican army is stated by General Santa Anna, in his summons, to be 20,000; and that estimate is confirmed by all the information since obtained. Our loss is 267 killed, 456 wounded, and 23 missing. Of the numerous wounded, many did not require removal to the hospital, and it is hoped that a comparatively small number will be permanently disabled. The Mexican loss in killed and wounded may be fairly estimated at 1,500, and will probably reach 2,000. At least 500 of their killed were left upon the field of battle. We have no means of ascertaining the number of deserters and dispersed men from their ranks, but it is known to be very great.

Our loss has been especially severe in officers, twenty-eight having been killed upon the field. We have to lament the death of Captain George Lincoln, Assistant Adjutant-General, serving in the staff of General Wool, a young officer of high bearing and approved gallantry, who fell early in the action. No loss falls more heavily upon the army in the field than that of Colonels Hardin and McKee, and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay. Possessing, in a remarkable degree, the confidence of their commanders, and the last two having enjoyed the advantage of a military education, I had looked particularly to them for support in case we met the enemy. I need not say that their zeal in engaging the enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage with which they maintained (p. 344) their positions during the day, fully realized my hopes, and caused me to feel yet more sensibly their untimely loss.

I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice of the government the general good conduct of the troops. Exposed for successive nights, without fires, to the severity of the weather, they were ever prompt and cheerful in the discharge of every duty; and finally displayed conspicuous steadiness and gallantry in repulsing, at great odds, a disciplined foe. While the brilliant success achieved by their arms releases me from the painful necessity of specifying many cases of bad conduct before the enemy, I feel an increased obligation to mention particular corps and officers, whose skill, coolness and gallantry in trying situations, and under a continued and heavy fire, seem to merit particular notice.

To Brigadier-General Wool my obligations are especially due. The high state of discipline and instruction of several of the volunteer regiments was attained under his command, and to his vigilance and arduous service before the action, and his gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our success may justly be attributed. During most of the engagement he was in immediate command of the troops thrown back on our left flank. I beg leave to recommend him to the favorable notice of the government. Brigadier-General Lane (slightly wounded) was active and zealous throughout the day, and displayed great coolness and gallantry before the enemy.

The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, were more than usually distinguished. Moving rapidly over the roughest ground, it was always in action at the right place and the right time, and its well-directed fire dealt destruction in the masses of the enemy. While I recommend to particular favor the gallant conduct and valuable services of Major Munroe, chief of artillery, and Captains Washington, 4th Artillery, and Sherman and Bragg, 3d Artillery, commanding batteries, I deem it no more than just to mention all the subaltern officers. They were nearly all detached at different times, and in every situation exhibited conspicuous skill and gallantry. Captain O'Brien, Lieutenants Brent, Whiting, and Couch, 4th Artillery, and Bryan, Topographical Engineer (slightly wounded), were attached to Captain Washington's battery. Lieutenants Thomas, Reynolds, and French, 3d Artillery, (severely wounded), to that of Captain Sherman; and Captain Shover and Lieutenant Kilburn, 3d Artillery, to that of Captain Bragg. Captain Shover, in connection with Lieutenant Donaldson, 1st Artillery, rendered gallant and important service in repulsing the cavalry of General Minon. The regular cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel May, with which was associated Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, rendered useful service in holding the enemy in check, and in covering the batteries at several points. Captain Steen, 1st Dragoons, was severely wounded early in the day, while gallantly endeavoring, with my authority, to rally the troops which were falling to the rear.

The Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were highly conspicuous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustained throughout the engagement the reputation of veteran troops. Brought into action against an immensely superior force, they maintained themselves for a long time unsupported and with heavy loss, and held an important part of the field until re-enforced. Colonel Davis, though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of the action. His distinguished coolness and gallantry at the head of his regiment on this day entitle (p. 345) him to the particular notice of the government. The 3d Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, and a fragment of the 2d, under Colonel Bowles, were associated with the Mississippi regiment during the greater portion of the day, and acquitted themselves creditably in repulsing the attempts of the enemy to break that portion of our line. The Kentucky cavalry, under Colonel Marshall, rendered good service dismounted, acting as light troops on our left, and afterward, with a portion of the Arkansas regiment, in meeting and dispersing the column of cavalry at Buena Vista. The 1st and 2d Illinois, and the 2d Kentucky regiments, served immediately under my eye, and I bear a willing testimony to their excellent conduct throughout the day. The spirit and gallantry with which the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky engaged the enemy in the morning, restored confidence to that part of the field, while the list of casualties will show how much these three regiments suffered in sustaining the heavy charge of the enemy in the afternoon. Captain Conner's company of Texas volunteers, attached to the 2d Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its captain being wounded and two subalterns killed. Colonel Bissell, the only surviving colonel of these regiments, merits notice for his coolness and bravery on this occasion. After the fall of the field officers of the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky regiments, the command of the former devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford, that of the latter upon Major Fry.

Regimental commanders and others who have rendered reports, speak in general terms of the good conduct of their officers and men, and have specified many names, but the limits of this report forbid a recapitulation of them here. I may, however, mention Lieutenants Rucker and Campbell, of the dragoons, and Captain Pike, Arkansas cavalry, commanding squadrons; Lieutenant-Colonel Field, Kentucky cavalry; Lieutenant-Colonel Roane, Arkansas cavalry, upon whom the command devolved after the fall of Colonel Yell; Major Bradford, Captain Sharpe (severely wounded), and Adjutant Griffith, Mississippi regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Hadden, 2d Indiana regiment, and Lieutenant Robinson, aid-de-camp to General Lane; Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford, 1st Illinois regiment; Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, Major Trail, and Adjutant Whiteside (severely wounded), 2d Illinois regiment; and Major Fry, 2d Kentucky regiment, as being favorably noticed for gallantry and good conduct. Major McCulloch, quarter-master in the volunteer service, rendered important services before the engagement, in the command of a spy company, and during the affair was associated with the regular cavalry. To Major Warren, 1st Illinois Volunteers, I feel much indebted for his firm and judicious course, while exercising command in Saltillo.

The medical staff, under the able direction of Assistant Surgeon Hitchcock, were assiduous in attention to the wounded, upon the field, and in their careful removal to the rear. Both in these respects, and in the subsequent organization and service of the hospitals, the administration of this department was every thing that could be wished.

Brigadier-General Wool speaks in high terms of the officers of his staff, and I take pleasure in mentioning them here, having witnessed their activity and zeal upon the field. Lieutenant and Aid-de-camp McDowell, Colonel Churchill, inspector-general, Captain Chapman, assistant quarter-master, Lieutenant Sitgreaves, Topographical Engineers, and Captains Howard and Davis, (p. 346) volunteer service, are conspicuously noticed by the general for their gallantry and good conduct. Messrs. March, Addicks Potts, Harrison, Burgess, and Dusenbury, attached in various capacities to General Wool's head-quarters, are likewise mentioned for their intelligent alacrity in conveying orders to all parts of the field.

In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own staff, to whose exertions in rallying troops and communicating orders I feel greatly indebted. Major Bliss, assistant adjutant-general, Captain J. H. Eaton, and Lieutenant R. S. Garnett, aids-de-camp, served near my person, and were prompt and zealous in the discharge of every duty. Major Munroe, besides rendering valuable service as chief of artillery, was active and instrumental, as were also Colonels Churchill and Belknap, inspectors general, in rallying troops and disposing them for the defence of the train and baggage. Colonel Whiting, quartermaster general, and Captain Eaton, chief of the subsistence department, were engaged with the duties of their departments, and also served in my immediate staff on the field. Captain Sibley, assistant quartermaster, was necessarily left with the head-quarter camp near town, where his services were highly useful. Major Mansfield and Lieutenant Benham, engineers, and Captain Linnard and Lieutenants Pope and Franklin, Topographical Engineers, were employed before and during the engagement in making reconnoissances, and on the field were very active in bringing information and in conveying my orders to distant points. Lieutenant Kingsbury, in addition to his proper duties as ordnance officer, Captain Chilton, assistant quartermaster, and Majors Dix and Coffee, served also as extra aids-de-camp, and were actively employed in the transmission of orders. Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of Kentucky, though not in service, volunteered as my aid-de-camp on this occasion, and served with credit in that capacity. Major Craig, chief of ordnance, and Surgeon Craig, medical director, had been detached on duty from head-quarters, and did not reach the ground until the morning of the 24th, too late to participate in the action, but in time to render useful services in their respective departments of the staff.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Major-General U. S. A., commanding.

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General Order Congratulating the Army.

Headquarters, Army of Occupation, February 26, 1847.

1. The commanding general has the grateful task of congratulating the troops upon the brilliant success which attended their arms in the conflicts of the 22d and the 23d. Confident in the immense superiority of numbers, and stimulated by the presence of a distinguished leader, the Mexican troops were yet repulsed in efforts to force our lines, and finally withdrew with immense loss from the field.

2. The general would express his obligations to the officers (p. 347) and men engaged, for the cordial support which they rendered throughout the action. It will be his highest pride to bring to the notice of the government the conspicuous gallantry of different officers and corps, whose unwavering steadiness more than once saved the fortunes of the day. He would also express his high satisfaction with the conduct of the small command left to hold Saltillo. Though not so seriously engaged as their comrades, their services were very important and efficiently rendered. While bestowing this just tribute to the good conduct of the troops, the general deeply regrets to say that there were not a few exceptions. He trusts that those who fled ingloriously to Buena Vista, and even to Saltillo, will seek an opportunity to retrieve their reputation, and to emulate the bravery of their comrades who bore the brunt of the battle, and sustained, against fearful odds, the honor of our flag.

The exultation of success is checked by the heavy sacrifice of life which it has cost, embracing many officers of high rank and rare merit. While the sympathies of a grateful country will be given to the bereaved families and friends of those who nobly fell, their illustrious example will remain for the benefit and admiration of the army.

By order of Major-General Taylor, W. W. S. BLISS, Act. Adj. General.

No. 64. (p. 348) PLATE LXV.

March 5, 1849--July 9, 1850.

Zachary Taylor President of the United States 1849. [Rx]. Peace and friendship.

PRESIDENT ZACHARY TAYLOR.

[Twelfth President of the United States of America.]

ZACHARY TAYLOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1849. Bust of President Taylor, 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 engraved by Franklin Peale, as may be seen by the following extract from a despatch of R. M. Patterson, director of the Mint, to Orlando Brown, office of Indian Affairs, Department of the Interior, and dated Philadelphia, November 26th, 1849:

"Three Indian medal dies, bearing the head of President Taylor, were asked of the chief coiner of the Mint, Mr. Franklin Peale, by Mr. Medill, while Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and he agreed to the estimate of the cost which was $700. I have now the satisfaction of reporting that the dies are finished, and that Mr. Peale is ready to furnish, on sufficient notice, the medals which you may desire.

No. 65. (p. 349) PLATE LXVI.

June 10, 1850--March 4, 1853.

Millard Fillmore President of the United States 1850. [Rx]. Labor virtue honor.

PRESIDENT MILLARD FILLMORE.

[Thirteenth President of the United States of America.]

MILLARD FILLMORE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1850. Undraped bust of President Fillmore, facing the right. S. ELLIS.

LABOR VIRTUE HONOR. A pioneer from the far West, his left hand on a ploughshare, explains to an Indian chief the benefits of civilization, of which he wishes him to partake. The American flag envelops both in its folds. In the background is a farm-house. J. WILLSON.

JOSEPH WILLSON was born at Canton, St Lawrence County, New York, in 1825. He studied portrait painting with Salathiel Ellis, followed him to New York in 1842, and began cutting cameos and die sinking. In 1848 he removed to Washington, under the patronage of the Honorable R. H. Gillet, member of Congress from St Lawrence County, New York, associated himself in business with Salathiel Ellis, and made the reverses of the Indian medals of Presidents Fillmore and Pierce. In 1851 he went to Italy to study sculpture, and remained abroad three years. He died, September 8, 1857.

MILLARD FILLMORE was born at Summerhill, Cayuga County, New York, January 7, 1800. He began the study of law in 1819, and was admitted to the bar to practise as an attorney in 1827; was counsellor in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, 1829; and settled in (p. 350) Buffalo, 1830. He was a member of the State Legislature, 1829-1831; member of Congress, 1832-1834, and again, 1837-1841; comptroller of the State of New York, 1847; vice-president of the United States, 1849, and President on the death of General Taylor (June 10), 1850-1853. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Presidency in 1856, and died in Buffalo, New York, March 8, 1874.

No. 66. (p. 351) PLATE LXVII.

March 4, 1853--March 4, 1857.

Franklin Pierce, President of the United States. 1853. [Rx]. Labor virtue honor.

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN PIERCE.

[Fourteenth President of the United States of America.]

FRANKLIN PIERCE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. 1853. Undraped bust of President Pierce, facing the left. S. ELLIS.

LABOR VIRTUE HONOR. A pioneer from the far West, his left hand on a ploughshare, explains to an Indian chief the benefits of civilization, of which he wishes him to partake. The American flag envelops both in its folds. In the background is a farm-house. J. WILLSON.

FRANKLIN PIERCE was born at Hillsborough, New Hampshire, November 23, 1804. He was graduated at Bowdoin College, Maine, 1824, and was admitted to the bar at Hillsborough, 1827; was member of the State Legislature, 1829; member of Congress, 1833-1837; United States senator, 1837-1842; brigadier-general of volunteers, March, 1847; served under General Scott throughout the Mexican campaign; President of the United States, 1853-1857. He retired to Concord, New Hampshire, and died there, October 8, 1869.

No. 67. (p. 352) PLATE LXVIII.

July 2, 1853.

Smyrna. American sloop of war St. Louis. Austrian brig of war Hussar. [Rx]. Presented by the President of the United States to Commander Duncan N. Ingraham, etc.

COMMANDER DUNCAN NATHANIEL INGRAHAM.

[Release of Martin Coszta.]

The United States sloop-of-war St Louis, and the Austrian brig-of-war Hussar, are at anchor in the roads of Smyrna; while a second Austrian war vessel and three mail steamers are at a little distance. The city of Smyrna and the ruins of the Acropolis, on Mount Pagus, are in the background. Exergue: SMYRNA. AMERICAN SLOOP OF WAR ST. LOUIS. AUSTRIAN BRIG OF WAR HUSSAR, S. EASTMAN D. (delineavit.) P. F. CROSS SC.. (sculpsit.) LONGACRE.

Within a wreath of laurel and oak: PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES TO COMMANDER DUNCAN N. (Nathaniel) INGRAHAM AS A TESTIMONIAL OF THE HIGH SENSE ENTERTAINED BY CONGRESS OF HIS GALLANT AND JUDICIOUS CONDUCT ON THE 2D OF JULY 1853. JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS AUGUST 4{TH} 1854. Exergue: The American eagle, with outspread wings, holds an anchor in its talons; above are thirty-one stars, the whole lighted by the rays of the sun. S. EASTMAN D. (delineavit.) J. B. LONGACRE SC. (sculpsit).

SETH EASTMAN was graduated at West Point as second lieutenant of (p. 353) infantry, July 1, 1829; was assistant teacher of drawing at West Point, 1833-1840; first lieutenant, 1836; and captain, 1839. He engraved the armorial bearings of several of the new States, and designed the Ingraham medal. He was living in Washington in 1872.

P. F. CROSS, who engraved the obverse of the Ingraham medal, was born in Sheffield, England, and died in Philadelphia in 1856.

JAMES BARTON LONGACRE was born in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, August 11, 1794, and became a steel-plate engraver. In 1844 he was appointed engraver to the United States Mint, in Philadelphia, and retained the situation till his death, January 14, 1869. He was also one of the publishers and proprietors of the "National Portrait Gallery," to which he contributed many engravings. His largest plate, however, the equestrian portrait of General Jackson, is not in that work.

DUNCAN NATHANIEL INGRAHAM was born in Charleston, South Carolina, December 6, 1802. He was appointed a midshipman, June 18, 1812; became a lieutenant, January 13, 1825; and commander, September 8, 1841. While in command of the sloop-of-war St. Louis, off Smyrna, in July, 1853, he rescued Martin Coszta from the Austrian brig-of-war Hussar; for this act Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. He became a captain, 1855; and in 1856 was appointed chief of the Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography in the Navy Department, Washington. He resigned, February 4, 1861, and acted with the Southern Confederacy during the Civil War. He died in Charleston, South Carolina, June 10, 1863.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Commander Ingraham.

Resolved unanimously by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, requested to cause to be made a medal, with suitable devices, and presented to Commander Duncan N. Ingraham, of the navy of the United States, as a testimonial of the high sense entertained by Congress (p. 354) of his gallant and judicious conduct on the second of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-three, in extending protection to Martin Coszta, by rescuing him from illegal seizure and imprisonment on board the Austrian war brig Hussar.

Approved August 4, 1854.

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Commander Ingraham to Commodore Stringham.

United States ship St. Louis, To Smyrna, July 6th, 1853. COMMODORE SILAS H. STRINGHAM, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Naval Forces in the Mediterranean.

Sir: It becomes my duty to report to you an affair at this place in which I have taken upon myself to compromise the American flag.

I arrived here upon the 23d of June, and soon after anchoring was informed that an American had been kidnapped by the Austrian Consul upon the Turkish soil and sent on board an Austrian brig-of-war.

I sent for the American Consul and informed him of what I had heard. He told me the man was a Hungarian refugee (named Martin Coszta), who had a certificate of intention to become a citizen of the United States, and came here in an American vessel, but that he did not consider him under his protection, having to his knowledge no passport.

The Consul and myself then went on board the brig, and requested to see the commander, but were told he was not on board. We then went to the Austrian Consul, and demanded to see Coszta, which after some demur was granted.

After a conversation with Coszta, I was afraid I had no right to demand him as a citizen of the United States, but determined neither to make a claim nor acquiesce in his seizure until I could hear from the Legation at Constantinople. I was guided in this opinion by the Consul, who seemed to think we could not use force without more evidence than the paper in his possession gave.

I then requested the Consul to write immediately to the Legation, which he did. Before an answer could arrive, I received information that Coszta was to be sent to Trieste. I immediately wrote to the commander of the brig, protesting against this step, and received a verbal reply that he was ignorant of any such intention. Next morning, at daylight, I got under way, and anchored within half cable's length of the brig, and loaded my guns, the steamer in which it was said Coszta was to be sent being very near. At 11 A.M. an answer came from Mr. Brown, stating that Coszta was an American citizen, and advising the Consul to give him all aid and sympathy, but in an unofficial way. I then told the Consul he must insist upon Coszta remaining until I again heard from the Chargé. He did so, when the Austrian Consul told him he had intended to send the man off that day, but would wait until the next mail. On Saturday, the 2d of July, (p. 355) the Capen Oglan of the Legation arrived with letters from the Chargé to the Consul and myself to use stringent measures.

I immediately held an interview with Coszta, in which he claimed the protection of the American flag. I then addressed note "B" to the commander of the brig, demanding Coszta's release. I also directed the American Consul to furnish the Austrian Consul with a copy of the demand, which was done. At this time the Austrian brig and a ten-gun schooner that arrived the day before prepared for action, having three mail-steamers to assist. I did the same, and awaited the hour of 4 P.M. At 12, our Consul came off with a proposition that Coszta should be delivered into the hands of the Consul-General of France, to be held at the joint order of the American and Austrian Consuls, until his nationality should be determined. After some consideration, and the advice of the English and French Consuls to ours, I agreed to the terms. The prisoner was then landed amid the cheers of the inhabitants and every demonstration of joy. I know, Sir, I have taken a fearful responsibility upon myself by this act, but after Mr. Brown informed me Coszta had taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, and foresworn all allegiance to Austria, that he was an American citizen and had been under the protection of the Legation at Constantinople, I could not hesitate to believe he was fully entitled to protection. It was a case of life and death; for, if Coszta had been taken to Trieste his fate was sealed, and could I have looked the American people in the face again, if I had allowed a citizen to be executed and not used the power in my hands to protect him for fear of doing too much? The easy manner, also, in which he was given up, and the Convention that he should be held by a third party until his nationality could be established, is evidence that they were not sure of their ground.

Should my conduct be approved by you, Sir, it will be one of the proudest moments of my life that I have saved this gallant man from a cruel and ignominious death. On the other hand, should the course I have pursued be disavowed, I must bow to the decision; but whatever may be the consequence to myself, I shall feel I have done my best to support the honor of the flag, and not allow a citizen to be oppressed who claimed at my hands the protection of the flag.

I enclose copies of all the papers (A to E) relating to this affair.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. N. INGRAHAM, Commander.

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A

Commander Ingraham to Commander Schwartz.

United States ship St. Louis, Smyrna Roads, To Evening June 28, 1853. THE COMMANDER OF THE AUSTRIAN BRIG HUSSAR.

Sir: I have this moment received a letter stating Martin Coszta was to be sent on board the steamer to-morrow at daylight, to be sent to Trieste. I have been only waiting to hear from the (p. 356) Minister at Constantinople before I took some action in the case of Coszta, as he has a paper stating his intention to become a citizen of the United States. He came here in an American vessel, and has been some time in the United States. I earnestly protest against his leaving this port until something has been heard from Constantinople.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. N. INGRAHAM, Commander.

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B

Commander Schwartz to Commander Ingraham.

His Imperial Majesty's brig Hussar, To Smyrna, June 29th, 1853. THE COMMANDER OF THE UNITED STATES SHIP ST. LOUIS.

Sir: I had the honor to receive your letter of the 28th inst.

Concerning the matter respecting Martin Coszta, I request you, Sir, to communicate with the Consul General, as I can personally do nothing in the matter, as I receive all my orders from him.

I have the honor to subscribe myself, with great respect, your obedient servant, SCHWARTZ.

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C

Commander Ingraham to Commander Schwartz.

United States ship St. Louis, To Smyrna, July 2d, 1853. THE COMMANDER OF THE AUSTRIAN BRIG HUSSAR.

Sir: I have been directed by the American Chargé at Constantinople to demand the person of Martin Coszta, a citizen of the United States, taken by force from the Turkish soil and now confined on board the brig Hussar. And if a refusal is given to take him by force.

An answer to the demand must be returned by 4 o'clock P.M.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, D. N. INGRAHAM, Commander.

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D (p. 357)

Commander Schwartz to Commander Ingraham.

His Imperial Majesty's brig Hussar, To Smyrna, July 2d, 1853. THE COMMANDER OF THE UNITED STATES SHIP ST. LOUIS, Present.

Sir: I have the honor to refer you to my letter of the 28th ultimo, in which I stated that I depend altogether upon the Consul General in the matter respecting the prisoner Martin Coszta. I shall send him your letter of this day, and request him to come to an understanding with you himself.

I protest against all violence toward His Imperial Majesty's brig "Hussar," or schooner "Artimesia," and shall consider it as a hostile step for which I would hold you altogether responsible.

I have the honor to subscribe myself, with great respect, your obedient servant, SCHWARTZ.

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E

S. N. Brown to Commander Ingraham.

To Legation of the United States, COMMANDER INGRAHAM, Pera, June 28th, 1853. United States Corvette St. Louis.

Dear Sir: I send you a copy of my letter to the Austrian Internuncio (Minister) on the subject of the detention of Martin Coszta on board the Austrian brig Hussar; which will serve to show my views of the transaction better than I could do in a note.

The public here are quite as indignant at the brutal conduct of the Austrian Consul as they were in Smyrna. Mussulman, Christian and Jew execrate the conduct of the Consul, and accuse him as the cause of the bloodshed which resulted from the brutal arrest and treatment of Coszta. The Porte would have been much pleased had you taken him from the Austrian brig, and I regret that it was not done on the ground that he had renounced all allegiance to the Austrian Emperor, and taken an oath of allegiance to the government of the United States.

He certainly is not an Austrian subject, and he as certainly (p. 358) can claim no other allegiance to any other power, than to that of the United States. It is not uncommon for persons having received official copies of their declaration of allegiance to procure an American passport stating this fact, in which all protection and satisfaction is assured them from American authorities. I believe that, under the circumstances, you have a right to persist in demanding him from the Austrian commander. The Porte would wish to leave the matter open between us and the Austrians, and if we could see the poor fellow carried off and hung to let us take the ignominy of the transaction on our own shoulders. If I thought you would be governed by my instructions, they would be to demand him, in the most formal and positive language, of the Austrian commander, in my name as Representative of the United States, and after having him in your possession, to leave the matter to be adjusted between the two governments. In case of a refusal to deliver him, founded on the pleas that he had renounced all allegiance to Austria, and that having taken the oath of allegiance to the United States, he has a claim upon our protection, I would take him out of the vessel. Such a course will meet with the most profound applause from this government and from every foreign legation here (except that of Austria), and cannot but call forth strong gratification on the part of our government and people at home.

So abominable an act has excited here extreme abhorrence and execration, and all you have already done has elevated the character of our country and of our navy.

I remain, dear Sir, most truly yours, S. N. BROWN.

Be so good as to allow Mr. Offley to peruse the present. I do not doubt but that he will support you in all you do. S. N. B.

[Enclosure from Caleb Lyon of Lyonsdale.]

My Dear Sir: I cordially approve of the measures of Mr. Brown in taking the exile Coszta per force, and do hope you will do so. So far as my humble power goes, I will defend it. He is not an Austrian subject, he has sworn allegiance to the United States. Sure this is enough to demand our protection, no matter what he says. Do not let this chance slip to acquit yourself nobly, and to do honor to our country.

The Turkish Governor as well as the Austrian Consul have been both dismissed and disgraced.

The eyes of nations are upon the little St. Louis and her commander. For God's sake, and sake of humanity, stand for the right.

Regards and friendship of yours ever, Caleb LYON OF LYONSDALE.

Mr. Lyon is a member of Congress from the State of New York, and now travelling in Europe.

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Martin Coszta's Declaration of Intention. (p. 359)

1852.

State of New York.

In the Court of Common Pleas for the City and County of New York:

I, Martin Coszta, do declare on oath, that it is bona fide my intention to become a citizen of the United States, and to renounce forever all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign Prince, Potentate, State or Sovereignty whatever, and particularly to the Emperor of Austria, of whom I am a subject.

Martin COSZTA.

Sworn this 31st day of July, 1852. George W. RIBLET, Clerk.

Clerk's Office, Court of Common Pleas, For the City and County of New York.

I certify that the foregoing is a true copy of an original Declaration of Intention, remaining of record in my office.

In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the seal of said Court, this 31st day of July, 1852.

[L. S.] George W. RIBLET, Clerk.

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Agreement between the Consul-General of Austria and the Consul of the United States of America.

Smyrne le 2 Juillet, 1853.

Les Soussignés Consul Général d'Autriche et Consul des États-Unis d'Amérique, prient Monsieur le Consul Général de Sa Majesté l'Empereur des Français de prendre en dépôt dans ses prisons le nommé Martin Koszta (Martin Coszta) détenu sur le brick de guerre Autrichien "Hussard" et dont la nationalité et par conséquent les relations de protection sont en litige, entre les Ambassades respectives à Constantinople, ainsi qu'entre les Consulats à Smyrne.

Ils prient Monsieur le Consul Général de se charger de ce dépôt aux conditions suivantes.

L'individu sus mentionné sera consigné dans la journée d'aujourd'hui et au plus tôt possible par un détachement des soldats du brick Autrichien qui le conduira au débarcadère de l'hôpital Français, où il sera remis entre les mains de Monsieur le Consul Général de France ou de la personne qu'il en aura chargé.

Le détenu ne pourra communiquer avec aucune personne du dehors à l'exception des Consuls soussignés et dans l'hôpital il sera confié spécialement à une personne que Monsieur le Consul Général de France désignera.

Les frais de nourriture et de maintien que les soussignés (p. 360) laissent entièrement à la discrétion de Monsieur le Consul Général de France de fixer au détenu, seront à la charge du soussigné Consul Général d'Autriche.

Il est expressément convenu que Monsieur le Consul Général de France ne délivrera le détenu Martin Koszta (Martin Coszta) que sur une demande collective des soussignés.

E. S. OFFLEY, WEEKBECKER, Consul des États Unis d'Amérique. Consul Général d'Autriche.

[Translation.]

Smyrna, July 2, 1853.

The undersigned, the Consul-General of Austria and the Consul of the United States of America, request the Consul-General of His Majesty, the Emperor of the French, to take in charge the named Martin Koszta (Martin Coszta), detained on the Austrian brig-of-war "Hussar," whose nationality and consequently whose rights to protection are in litigation, between the respective embassies at Constantinople, and also between the Consulates at Smyrna.

They request the Consul-General to take charge of the detained person on the following conditions:

The above-named individual shall be delivered to-day, and as soon as possible, by a detachment of soldiers from the Austrian brig-of-war, which shall conduct him to the landing of the French hospital, where he shall be handed over to the Consul-General of France, or to the persons designated by him.

The detained shall not be allowed to communicate with any outside person except with the undersigned Consuls; and in the hospital he shall be under the care of some one specially designated by the Consul-General of France.

The expenses of boarding and keeping, the particulars of which the undersigned leave entirely to the discretion of the Consul-General of France, shall be borne by the Consul-General of Austria.

It is expressly agreed that the Consul-General of France shall deliver the detained Martin Koszta (Martin Coszta) only on a collective demand of the undersigned.

E. S. OFFLEY, WEEKBECKER, _Consul of the United States Consul-General of Austria. of America_.

No. 68. (p. 361) PLATE LXIX.

March 4, 1857--March 4, 1861.

James Buchanan. President of the United States, 1857. [Rx]. Labor virtue honor.

PRESIDENT JAMES BUCHANAN.

[Fifteenth President of the United States of America.]

JAMES BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1857. Bust of President Buchanan, facing the right S. ELLIS SC. (sculpsit.)

LABOR VIRTUE HONOR. A pioneer from the far West, his left hand on a ploughshare, explains to an Indian chief the benefits of civilization, of which he wishes him to partake. The American flag envelops both in its folds. In the background is a farm-house. J. WILLSON.

JAMES BUCHANAN was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1791. He was graduated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 1809; and was admitted to the bar in Lancaster, 1812. He was a member of the State Legislature, 1814-1816; member of Congress, 1821-1831; minister to Russia, 1832-1834; United States senator, 1834-1845; secretary of State to President Polk, 1845-1849; minister to England, 1853-1856; President of the United States, 1857-1861. He died at his estate of Wheatland, near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1868.

No. 69. (p. 362) PLATE LXX.

April, 1858.

James Buchanan, President of the United States. [Rx]. To Dr. Frederick Rose, Assistant Surgeon, Royal Navy, G. B.

DOCTOR FREDERICK HENRY ROSE.

[Kindness and Humanity of Doctor Rose.]

JAMES BUCHANAN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. Bust of President Buchanan, facing-the right. PAQUET. F. (fecit).

TO DR. (Doctor) FREDERICK ROSE, ASSISTANT SURGEON, ROYAL NAVY, G. B. (Great Britain). Esculapius with his left hand is repelling Time, armed with his scythe, and with his right is offering a draught to the sick, one of whom is thanking him. Exergue: FOR KINDNESS AND HUMANITY TO OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE U. S. (United States) STEAMER SUSQUEHANNA. On the platform, PAQUET. F. (fecit).[116]

[Footnote 116: See INTRODUCTION, page ix.]

A. C. PAQUET was born in Hamburg, Germany, December 5, 1814. He emigrated to America in October, 1848, settled in Philadelphia, and was assistant engraver to the United States Mint from 1857 to 1864. He has designed and engraved a number of medals, of which the principal are: General Grant; the wreck of the steamer San Francisco; the Philadelphia cathedral; President Johnson; Doctor Rose; President Buchanan; the Cincinnati exposition; Melgareja, President of Bolivia; the secretary of State of Bolivia; the Sanitary Commission fair; Humboldt; Everett; Life-saving medal of the first class; Life-saving medal of the second-class; Robinson; four gold, and five silver dies for the Chili Mint, and four silver dies for Bolivia. He is still living.

FREDERICK HENRY ROSE was born January 5, 1833, and entered the (p. 363) British Royal Navy as assistant-surgeon, November 10, 1855. He was employed on the home station, on particular service on the North American, West Indian, and West Coast of Africa stations, until June, 1863. While in Jamaica in April, 1858, with the permission of his commanding officer, Admiral Sir Hewston Stewart, Royal Navy, he volunteered, at imminent personal risk, his services on board the United States vessel-of-war Susquehanna, on which the yellow fever had broken out, and sailed in her to New York, devoting himself to the care of the sick. For this noble deed Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal. In 1866 Doctor Rose was placed on the retired list in consequence of ill health. He died at San Remo, Italy, March 31, 1873.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution of Congress Voting a Medal to Doctor Rose.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and requested to cause suitable acknowledgments to be made on the part of this government to Admiral Sir Hewston Stewart, of Her Britannic Majesty's Navy, and officers under his command, for their prompt and efficient aid, and generous hospitality, extended to the disabled officers and crew of the United States ship Susquehanna on her late arrival at Port Royal, Island of Jamaica, with the yellow fever on board; on which occasion, besides placing the naval hospital, with an adequate corps of medical officers, nurses and attendants, at their service, eighty-five of the officers and crew of the Susquehanna were safely and promptly conveyed on shore with the aid of the boats of the British squadron, and the lives of the greater portion of them thereby probably saved. And that the President be further requested to cause a gold medal, with appropriate devices, to be presented, on behalf of this government, to Assistant-Surgeon Frederick H. Rose, of the British Navy, who volunteered, with the permission of his commanding officer, to join the Susquehanna, and, at imminent personal risk, devoted himself, on the voyage from Jamaica to New York, to the care of the sick remaining on board. And that the President cause suitable testimonials to be in like manner presented to the medical officers in the British service, in attendance at the hospital, with appropriate rewards to the nurses and other attendants there, whilst occupied by the officers and crew of the Susquehanna.

Approved May 11, 1858.

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Captain Sands to the Secretary of the Navy. (p. 364)

To the Honorable U. S. Ship Susquehanna, Isaac TOUCEY, New York Harbor, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C. April 15th, 1858.

Sir: I have the honor to report to you the arrival of this ship at New York, having had 155 cases of yellow fever on board, 85 of which were left at the hospital at Port Royal, Jamaica.

For the information of the Honorable Department, I have to state that after lying over one hundred days in San Juan De Nicaragua, with an average sick list of about 15, the first case of fever made its appearance on the 17th ultimo, then a second, then a third, when I thought it advisable to put to sea, hoping that a change of air would dispel the disease. After a few days the ship returned off San Juan and anchored outside. She remained there three days, with some slight modification of the fever, but it again broke out with greater violence. I then got under way and stood toward Aspinwall, expecting to meet the Jamestown, Commander Kennedy, whom I had instructed to relieve us on the 1st April, this ship to take her place, thinking that a change of position might be favorable to the health of both ships; on our way down to Aspinwall fresh cases continued to occur, particularly among the lieutenants and engineers, the first and second of the former being down, and others complaining. I now determined, at the suggestion of the surgeon, to steer for Pensacola; after standing for that port for some hours, and the fever continuing to extend its ravages, there being nearly one hundred down, at the request of the surgeon I changed our course for the Island of Jamaica, where I arrived about 8 o'clock on the evening of the 5th April.

The Admiral of the Port, Sir Hewston Stewart, on hearing of our condition, kindly placed the Naval Hospital at our disposal, and at six o'clock the next morning we landed 63 of our sick. I then had to take coal and water on board, at Kingston, which detained us a part of three days. The ship being now disabled, three lieutenants and six engineers being sick, besides half the firemen and coal-heavers, and many of the most valuable of the men off duty, I shipped about 30 negroes, and agreeably to the recommendation of the surgeon, I deemed it advisable to proceed at once to a northern port.

The whole number of cases from the 17th March to 15th April was 155--85 of which were left at the Hospital at Port Royal, Jamaica. There remain on the list to-day 34 cases. We have had in all 16 deaths, among these was 1st Lieutenant Queen of the Marine Corps.

Lieutenant Howell and four engineers were left at the Hospital, doing, I hope, well.

Since leaving Port Royal we have had two deaths, and some addition to the number of cases, but generally on approaching a cold climate, all seem to improve and we have had no new cases for the last 48 hours.

I beg leave to forward three letters from Surgeon Pinckney, who was taken down in the commencement of the epidemic, also one from Passed Assistant Surgeon Maccoun, from whom I have received (p. 365) the most valuable aid, during this severe visitation. As I had but one surgeon left, and fearing he might also fall sick during the passage home, I applied to Admiral Stewart for a medical officer, and previous to our departure from Port Royal, he sent us Assistant Surgeon Rose, who kindly volunteered his services.

I cannot find words to express my sense of obligation to Admiral Stewart for the kind and prompt manner in which he placed the Royal Naval Hospital at our disposal, and furnished us with every convenience for landing the sick, nor to Dr. Kinnear, Deputy Medical Inspector, and the medical officers under him for their attention to the comforts of those placed under their charge.

I also take great pleasure in mentioning that Commodore Kellett and Captain Hay of the "Indus" came to offer their assistance with boats and cots to land the sick.

I have left instructions with Mr. Harrison, our Consul at Kingston, relating to the sick at the Hospital, and have drawn a bill on the Navy Department in his favor for $1500, to cover any necessary expenses that might occur until further instructions should be received from the Department.

I have only to add my great regret at being obliged to leave my station without instructions from the Department, but the circumstances of the case rendered it absolutely necessary.

I have the honor to be, &c., &c., Joshua R. SANDS, Captain United States Navy.

No. 70. (p. 366) PLATE LXXI.

March 4, 1861--April 14, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, 1862.

PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

[Sixteenth President of the United States of America.]

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 1862. Bust of President Lincoln, facing the right. S. ELLIS DEL. (delineavit.) SC. (sculpsit.) On edge of bust, PATENTED.

A civilized Indian is ploughing his field; his children are playing at ball; on a hill to the left is a log cabin; to the right, a church; beyond them, some ships and a steamboat on a river; in the background, mountains; above is an Indian scalping his enemy; below, the head of an Indian squaw weeping; on one side, a quiver of arrows; on the other, a calumet and a bow--opposition of civilization to savage life.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN was born in Hardin (now Larue) County, Kentucky, February 12, 1809. He settled in Illinois, 1830; was captain of volunteers in the Black Hawk war, 1832; member of the State Legislature, 1834-1841; was admitted to the bar, 1836; settled in Springfield, Illinois, 1837; was a member of Congress, 1847-1849; President of the United States (first term), 1861-1865; (second term), March 4 to April 14, 1865. He was shot by an assassin in Washington, April 14, 1865, and died the next day, universally lamented. He was known by the sobriquet of "Honest Abe" (Abraham).

No. 71. (p. 367) PLATE LXXII a.

December 21, 1861, and July 16, 1862.

NAVY MEDAL OF HONOR.

A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, each point containing a crown of laurel and oak; in the middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars, America, personified as Minerva, stands with her left hand resting on the fasces, while with her right, in which she holds a shield blazoned with the American arms, she repulses Discord, represented with two snakes in each hand; the whole suspended by an anchor to two clasps united by a ribbon of thirteen stripes, paleways, gules and argent, and a chief, azure. On the platform: PAQUET F. (fecit).

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Acts of Congress Instituting Naval Medals of Honor.

SECTION 7. And be it further enacted, That the Secretary of the Navy be, and is hereby, authorized to cause 200 "medals of honor" to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seamanlike qualities during the present war, and that the sum of $1,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated out of any money in the Treasury for the purpose of carrying this section into effect.

Approved December 21, 1861.

SECTION 10. Seamen distinguishing themselves in battle or by extraordinary heroism in the line of their profession, may be promoted to forward warrant officers, or acting master's mates, as they may be best qualified, upon the recommendation of their commanding officer, approved by the flag officer and the department. Upon such promotion they shall receive a gratuity of $100 and a medal of honor to be prepared by the Navy Department.

Approved July 16, 1862.

No. 72. (p. 368) PLATE LXXII b.

July 12, 1862, and March 3, 1863.

ARMY MEDAL OF HONOR.

A five-pointed star, tipped with trefoils, each point containing a crown of laurel and oak; in the middle, within a circle of thirty-four stars, America, personified as Minerva, stands with her left hand resting on the fasces, while with her right, in which she holds a shield blazoned with the American arms, she repulses Discord, represented with two snakes in each hand; the whole suspended by a trophy of two crossed cannons, balls, and a sword, surmounted by the American eagle, which is united by a ribbon of thirteen stripes, paleways, gules and argent, and a chief, azure, to a clasp composed of two cornucopias and the American arms. On the platform: PAQUET. F. (fecit).

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolution and Act of Congress Instituting Army Medals of Honor.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the President of the United States be, and he is hereby, authorized to cause 2,000 "medals of honor" to be prepared with suitable emblematic devices, and to direct that the same be presented, in the name of Congress, to such non-commissioned officers and privates as shall most distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action, and other soldier-like qualities during the present insurrection, and that the sum of $10,000 be, and the same is hereby, appropriated for the purpose of carrying this resolution into effect.

Approved July 12th, 1862.

SECTION 9. And be it further enacted, That the President (p. 369) cause to be struck from the dies recently prepared at the United States Mint for that purpose, "medals of honor" additional to those authorized by the act (Resolution of July twelfth, eighteen hundred and sixty-two), and present the same to such officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates as have most distinguished or who may hereafter most distinguish themselves in action, and the sum of $20,000 is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to defray the expenses of the same.

Approved March 3d, 1863.

No. 73. (p. 370) PLATE LXXIII.

February 16, 1862, July 4 and November 25, 1863.

Major General Ulysses S Grant. Joint resolution of Congress December 17, 1863. [Rx]. Donelson. Vicksburg, etc.

MAJOR-GENERAL ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT.

[Victories of Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga.]

MAJOR GENERAL ULYSSES S. (Simpson) GRANT. JOINT RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS DECEMBER 17. 1863. Bust of General Grant, in uniform, facing the left. In the upper part of a circle, branches of laurel and oak; in the lower part, sugarcane, the cotton plant, tobacco leaves and wheat, united by the national flag; in a second circle, thirteen stars, emblematical of the thirteen original States of the Union. ANTROBUS. D. (delineavit.) PAQUET. F. (fecit).

America, personified as a maiden, is seated on a rainbow, with the eagle at her side. She holds in her left hand a cornucopia of flowers, and in her right a crown of laurel and the American shield, on which, in bend, is the word DONELSON. Below, dividing the medal into two parts, is a trophy of arms, surmounted by the cap of liberty, and protected by two sentinels kneeling; to the left is the city of Vicksburg, at the foot of which flows the Mississippi river, bearing two steamboats; VICKSBURG; to the right are Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge; the Federal army encamped on the banks of the Tennessee river; CHATTANOOGA. In a first circle the Mississippi river, on which are four steamers, two of which are gunboats; MISSISSIPPI RIVER; in a second, thirteen stars--emblematical of the thirteen original States of the Union.[117]

[Footnote 117: See INTRODUCTION, page viii.]

ANTROBUS, who designed the medal to General Grant, was living in (p. 371) Iowa in 1870.

ULYSSES SIMPSON GRANT was born at Point Pleasant, Clermont County, Ohio, April 27, 1822. He was graduated at West Point as second lieutenant in the 4th infantry, July 1, 1843, and served under General Taylor at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey, and in all General Scott's battles, from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. He was breveted first lieutenant at Molinos del Rey, and captain at Chapultepec, for gallantry in the field. He resigned in 1854, and in the early part of 1860 removed to Galena, Illinois. In the Civil War he entered the service as colonel of the 21st Illinois Volunteers, May, 1861. As brigadier-general of volunteers he fought the battle of Belmont, November 7, of the same year; captured Fort Donelson, February 16, 1862, for which he was appointed, on the same day, major-general of volunteers; and won the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862. He took Vicksburg, and was made major-general in the United States Army, July 4, 1863; won the battle of Chattanooga, November 25, same year, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general. He became commander-in-chief of the army, March 17, 1864; fought the battles of the Wilderness, in May, and besieged Richmond, 1864-1865. He received Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, April 9, 1865. Congress gave him a vote of thanks and a gold medal for Fort Donelson, Vicksburg, and Chattanooga, December 17, 1863. In July, 1866, he was made general; acted as secretary of War ad interim (12 August, 1867, February, 1868); President of the United States (first term), 1869-1873; (second term), 1873-1877.

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ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS.

Resolutions of Congress Voting a Medal to General Grant.

Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled: That the thanks of Congress be, and they hereby are, presented to Major-General Ulysses S. Grant, and through him to the officers and soldiers who have fought under his command during the rebellion, for their gallantry and good conduct in the battles in which they have been engaged; and that the President of the United States be (p. 372) requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems, devices and inscriptions, to be presented to Major-General Grant.

SECTION 2. And be it further resolved, That, when the said medal shall have been struck, the President shall cause a copy of this joint resolution to be engrossed on parchment, and shall transmit the same, together with the said medal, to Major-General Grant, to be presented to him in the name of the people of the United States of America.

SECTION 3. And be it further resolved, That a sufficient sum of money to carry this resolution into effect is hereby appropriated out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.

Approved December 17, 1863.

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General Grant to General Cullum.

Headquarters, District of West Tennessee, To Fort Donelson, February 16th, 1862. BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE W. CULLUM, Chief of Staff, Department of the Missouri.

General: I am pleased to announce to you the unconditional surrender, this morning, of Fort Donelson, with twelve to fifteen thousand prisoners, at least forty pieces of artillery, and a large amount of stores, horses, mules, and other public property.

I left Fort Henry on the 12th instant, with a force of about fifteen thousand men, divided into two divisions, under the command of Generals McClernand and Smith. Six regiments were sent around by water the day before, convoyed by a gunboat (or boats), and with instructions not to pass it.

The troops made the march in good order, the head of the column arriving within two miles of the fort at twelve o'clock, m. At this point the enemy's pickets were met and driven in. The fortifications of the enemy were from this point gradually approached and surrounded, with occasional skirmishing on the line. The following day, owing to the non-arrival of the gunboats and re-enforcements sent by water, no attack was made, but the investment was extended on the flanks of the enemy, and drawn closer to his works, with skirmishing all day. On the evening of the 13th, the gunboats and re-enforcements arrived. On the 14th a gallant attack was made by flag-officer Foote upon the enemy's river batteries with his fleet.

The engagement lasted probably one hour and a half, and bid fair to result favorably, when two unlucky shots disabled two of the armed boats, so that they were carried back by the current. The remaining two were very much disabled also, having received a number of heavy shots about the pilot-houses and other parts of the vessels. After these mishaps, I concluded to make the investment of Fort Donelson as perfect as possible, and partially fortify, and await repairs to the gunboats. This plan was frustrated, however, by the enemy making a most vigorous attack upon our right wing, commanded by Brigadier-General J. A. (p. 373) McClernand, and which consisted of his division and a portion of the force under General L. Wallace.

The enemy were repelled, after a closely contested battle of several hours, in which our loss was heavy. The officers suffered out of proportion. I have not the means of determining our loss, even approximately, but it cannot fall far short of twelve hundred killed, wounded and missing. I shall retain here enough of the enemy to exchange for them, as they were immediately shipped off, and not left for recapture.

About the close of this action the ammunition and cartridge boxes gave out, which, with the loss of many of the field officers, produced great confusion in the ranks. Seeing that the enemy did not take advantage of it, convinced me that equal confusion, and, consequently, great demoralization existed with him. Taking advantage of this fact, I ordered a charge upon our left (enemy's right) with the division under General C. F. Smith, which was most brilliantly executed, and gave to our arms full assurance of victory. The battle lasted until dark, and gave us possession of part of the intrenchment. An attack was ordered from the flank after the charge by General Smith was commenced, by the divisions under McClernand and Wallace, which, notwithstanding hours of exposure to a heavy fire in the fore part of the day, was gallantly made, and the enemy further repulsed. At the points thus gained, night having come on, all the troops encamped for the night, feeling that a complete victory would crown their efforts at an early hour in the morning. This morning, at a very early hour, a note was received from General Buckner, under a flag of truce, proposing an armistice. A copy of the correspondence which ensued is herewith enclosed.

I could mention individuals who especially distinguished themselves, but will leave this to division and brigade commanders, whose reports will be forwarded as soon as received.

Of the division commanders, however, Generals Smith, McClernand and Wallace, I must do the justice to say that all of them were with their commands in the midst of danger, and were always ready to execute all orders, no matter what the exposure to themselves.

At the hour the attack was made on General McClernand's command, I was absent, having received a note from flag officer Foote, requesting me to go and see him, he being unable to call on me, in consequence of a wound received the day before.

My staff: Colonel J. D. Webster, first Illinois artillery, chief of staff; Captain J. A. Rawlins, assistant adjutant-general; first lieutenants C. B. Lagone and William S. Hillyer, aids; and Lieutenant Colonel J. B. McPherson, chief engineer and Colonel John Riggin, junior, volunteer aid, are all deserving of personal mention for their gallantry and services.

For details, see reports of engineers, medical director and commanders of divisions and brigades to follow.

I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General U. S. A., commanding.

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[Copy.] (p. 374)

General Buckner to General Grant.

Headquarters, Fort Donelson, To February 16th, 1862. BRIGADIER-GENERAL U.S. GRANT, Commanding United States Forces near Fort Donelson.

Sir: In consideration of all the circumstances governing the present situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the commanding officer of the Federal forces the appointment of commissioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and post under my command, and in that view suggest an armistice until twelve o'clock to-day.

I am, Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, Brigadier-General C. S. A.

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[Copy.]

General Grant to General Buckner.

Headquarters, Army in the Field, To Fort Donelson, February 16th, 1862. GENERAL S. B. BUCKNER, Confederate Army.

Sir: Yours of this date proposing armistice and appointment of commissioners to settle terms of capitulation, is just received. No terms except unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works.

I am, Sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, U. S. GRANT, Brigadier-General commanding.

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[Copy.]

General Buckner to General Grant.

Headquarters, Dover, Tennessee, To February 16th, 1862. BRIGADIER-GENERAL GRANT, United States Army.

Sir: The distribution of the forces under my command, incident to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhelming force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose.

I am, Sir, your very obedient servant, S. B. BUCKNER, General commanding C. S. A.

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General Orders No. 2. (p. 375)

Headquarters, District of West Tennessee, Fort Donelson, February 17th, 1862.

The general commanding takes great pleasure in congratulating the troops of this command for the triumph over rebellion gained by their valor on the 13th, 14th, and 15th instant.

For four successive nights, without shelter during the most inclement weather known in this latitude, they faced an enemy in large force in a position chosen by himself. Though strongly fortified by nature, all the safeguards suggested by science were added. Without a murmur this was borne, prepared at all times to receive an attack, and with continuous skirmishing by day, resulting ultimately in forcing the enemy to surrender without conditions.

The victory achieved is not only great in breaking down rebellion, but has secured the greatest number of prisoners of war ever taken in one battle on this continent.

Fort Donelson will hereafter be marked in capitals on the maps of our united country, and the men who fought the battle will live in the memory of a grateful people.

U. S. GRANT, Major-General commanding.

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General Grant to the Assistant Adjutant-General.

To Headquarters, Department of the Tennessee, COLONEL J. C. KELTON, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 6, 1863 Assistant Adjutant-General, Washington, D. C.

Colonel: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Army of the Tennessee, and co-operating forces, from the date of my assuming the immediate command of the expedition against Vicksburg, Mississippi, to the reduction of that place.

From the moment of taking command in person I became satisfied that Vicksburg could only be turned from the south side, and, in accordance with this conviction, I prosecuted the work on the canal, which had been located by Brigadier-General Williams, across the peninsula, on the Louisiana side of the river, with all vigor, hoping to make a channel which would pass transports for moving the army and carrying supplies to the new base of operations thus provided. The task was much more herculean than it at first appeared, and was made much more so by the almost continuous rains that fell during the whole of the time this work was prosecuted. The river, too, continued to rise and make a large expenditure of labor necessary to keep the water out of our camps and the canal.

Finally, on the 8th of March, the rapid rise of the river (p. 376) and the consequent great pressure upon the dam across the canal, near the upper end, at the main Mississippi levee, caused it to give way and let through the low lands at the back of our camps a torrent of water that separated the north and south shores of the peninsula as effectually as if the Mississippi flowed between them. This occurred when the enterprise promised success within a short time. There was some delay in trying to repair damages. It was found, however, that with the then stage of water, some other plan would have to be adopted for getting below Vicksburg with transports.

Captain F. E. Prime, Chief Engineer, and Colonel G. G. Pride, who was acting on my staff, prospected a route through the bayous which run from near Milliken's Bend on the north and New Carthage on the south, through Roundaway Bayou into the Tensas river. Their report of the practicability of this route determined me to commence work upon it. Having three dredge boats at the time, the work of opening this work was executed with great rapidity. One small steamer and a number of barges were taken through the channel thus opened, but the river commencing about the middle of April to fall rapidly, and the roads becoming passable between Milliken's Bend and New Carthage, made it impracticable and unnecessary to open water communication between these points.

Soon after commencing the first canal spoken of, I caused a channel to be cut from the Mississippi river into Lake Providence; also one from the Mississippi river into Coldwater, by way of Yazoo Pass.

I had no great expectations of important results from the former of these, but having more troops than could be employed to advantage at Young's Point, and knowing that Lake Providence was connected by Bayou Baxter with Bayou Macon, a navigable stream through which transports might pass into the Mississippi below, through Tensas, Wachita, and Red rivers, I thought it possible that a route might be opened in that direction which would enable me to co-operate with General Banks at Port Hudson.

By the Yazoo Pass route I only expected at first to get into the Yazoo by way of Coldwater and Tallahatchie with some lighter gunboats and a few troops and destroy the enemy's transports in that stream and some gunboats which I knew he was building. The navigation, however, proved so much better than had been expected that I thought for a time of the possibility of making this the route for obtaining a foothold on high land above Haines Bluff, Mississippi, and small class steamers were accordingly ordered for transporting an army that way. Major-General J. B. McPherson, commanding seventeenth army corps, was directed to have his corps in readiness to move by this route; and one division from each the thirteenth and fifteenth corps were collected near the entrance of the Pass to be added to his command. It soon became evident that a sufficient number of boats of the right class could not be obtained for the movement of more than one division.

Whilst my forces were opening one end of the Pass the enemy was diligently closing the other end, and in this way succeeded in gaining time to strongly fortify Greenwood, below the junction of the Tallahatchie and Yallobusha. The advance of the expedition, consisting of one division of McClernand's corps from Helena, commanded by Brigadier-General L. F. Ross, and the 12th and 17th regiments of Missouri infantry, from Sherman's corps, as (p. 377) sharpshooters on the gunboats, succeeded in reaching Coldwater on the 2d day of March, after much difficulty, and the partial disabling of most of the boats. From the entrance into Coldwater to Fort Pemberton, at Greenwood, Mississippi, no great difficulty of navigation was experienced nor any interruption of magnitude from the enemy. Fort Pemberton extends from the Tallahatchie to the Yazoo at Greenwood. Here the two rivers come within a few hundred yards of each other. The land around the fort is low, and at the time of the attack was entirely overflowed. Owing to this fact, no movement could be made by the army to reduce it, but all depended upon the ability of the gunboats to silence the guns of the enemy and enable the transports to run down and land troops immediately on the fort itself. After an engagement of several hours the gunboats drew off, being unable to silence the batteries. Brigadier-General I. F. Quinby, commanding a division of McPherson's corps, met the expedition under Ross with his division on its return from Fort Pemberton, on the 21st of March, and being the senior, assumed command of the entire expedition, and returned to the position Ross had occupied.

On the 23d of March I sent orders for the withdrawal of all the forces operating in that direction, for the purpose of concentrating my army on Milliken's Bend.

On the 14th day of March, Admiral D. D. Porter, commanding Mississippi squadron, informed me that he had made a reconnoissance up Steele's Bayou, and partially through Black Bayou toward Deer Creek, and so far as explored these water courses were reported navigable for the smaller iron-clads. Information given mostly, I believe, by the negroes of the country, was to the effect that Deer Creek could be navigated to Rolling Fork, and that from there through the Sunflower to the Yazoo river there was no question about the navigation. On the following morning I accompanied Admiral Porter in the ram Price, several iron-clads preceding us, up through Steele's Bayou to near Black Bayou.

At this time our forces were at a dead-lock at Greenwood, and I looked upon the success of this enterprise as of vast importance. It would, if successful, leave Greenwood between two forces of ours, and would necessarily cause the immediate abandonment of that stronghold.

About thirty steamers of the enemy would have been destroyed or fallen into our hands. Seeing that the great obstacle to navigation, so far as I had gone, was from overhanging trees, I left Admiral Porter near Black Bayou and pushed back to Young's Point for the purpose of sending forward a Pioneer corps to remove these difficulties. Soon after my return to Young's Point Admiral Porter sent back to me for a co-operating force. Sherman was promptly sent with one division of his corps. The number of steamers suitable for the navigation of these bayous being limited, most of the force was sent up the Mississippi river to Eagle's Bend, a point where the river runs within one mile of Steele's Bayou, thus saving an important part of this difficult navigation. The expedition failed, probably more from want of knowledge as to what would be required to open this route than from any impracticability in the navigation of the streams and bayous through which it was proposed to pass. Want of this knowledge led the expedition on until difficulties were encountered, and then it would become necessary to send back to Young's Point for the means of removing them. This gave the enemy time to move forces to effectually checkmate further (p. 378) progress, and the expedition was withdrawn when within a few hundred yards of free and open navigation to the Yazoo.

All this may have been providential in driving us ultimately to a line of operations which has proven eminently successful.

For further particulars of Steele's Bayou expedition see report of Major-General W. T. Sherman, forwarded on the 12th of April.

As soon as I decided to open water communication from a point on the Mississippi near Milliken's Bend to New Carthage I determined to occupy the latter place, it being the first point below Vicksburg that could be reached by land at the stage of water then existing, and the occupancy of which, while it secured to us a point on the Mississippi river, would also protect the main line of communication by water. Accordingly the thirteenth army corps, Major-General J. A. McClernand commanding, was directed to take up its line of march on the 29th day of March for New Carthage, the fifteenth and seventeenth corps to follow, moving no faster than supplies and ammunition could be transported to them.

The roads though level were intolerably bad, and the movement was therefore necessarily slow. Arriving at Smith's Plantation, two miles from New Carthage, it was found that the levee of Bayou Vidal was broken in several places, thus leaving New Carthage an island.

All the boats that could be were collected from the different bayous in the vicinity, and others were built, but the transportation of an army in this way was found exceedingly tedious. Another route had to be found. This was done by making a further march around Vidal to Perkins' Plantation, a distance of twelve miles more, making the whole distance to be marched from Milliken's Bend to reach water communication on the opposite side of the point thirty-five miles. Over this distance, with bad roads to contend against, supplies of ordnance stores and provisions had to be hauled by wagons with which to commence the campaign on the opposite side of the river.

At the same time that I ordered the occupation of New Carthage, preparations were made for running transports by the Vicksburg batteries with Admiral Porter's gunboat fleet.

On the night of the 16th of April Admiral Porter's fleet and the transports Silver Wave, Forest Queen, and Henry Clay ran the Vicksburg batteries. The boilers of the transports were protected as well as possible with hay and cotton. More or less commissary stores were put on each. All three of these boats were struck more or less frequently while passing the enemy's batteries, and the Henry Clay, by the explosion of a shell or by other means, was set on fire and entirely consumed. The other two boats were somewhat injured, but not seriously disabled. No one on board of either was hurt.

As these boats succeeded in getting by so well, I ordered six more to be prepared in like manner for running the batteries. These latter, viz.: Tigress, Anglo-Saxon, Cheeseman, Empire City, Horizonia, and Moderator, left Milliken's Bend on the night of the 22d April, and five of them got by, but in a somewhat damaged condition. The Tigress received a shot in her hull below the water line, and sunk on the Louisiana shore soon after passing the last of the batteries. The crews of these steamers, with (p. 379) the exception of that of the Forest Queen, Captain D. Conway, and the Silver Wave, Captain McMillan, were composed of volunteers from the army. Upon the call for volunteers for this dangerous enterprise, officers and men presented themselves by hundreds, anxious to undertake the trip. The names of those whose services were accepted will be given in a separate report.

It is a striking feature, so far as my observation goes, of the present volunteer army of the United States, that there is nothing which men are called upon to do, mechanical or professional, that accomplished adepts cannot be found for the duty required in almost every regiment.

The transports injured in running the blockade were repaired by order of Admiral Porter, who was supplied with the material for such repairs as they required, and who was and is ever ready to afford all the assistance in his power for the furtherance of the success of our arms. In a very short time five of the transports were in running order, and the remainder were in a condition to be used as barges in the moving of troops. Twelve barges loaded with forage and rations were sent in tow of the last six boats that run the blockade; one half of them got through in a condition to be used.

Owing to the limited number of transports below Vicksburg it was found necessary to extend our line of travel to Hard Times, Louisiana, which, by the circuitous route it was necessary to take, increased the distance to about seventy miles from Milliken's Bend, our starting point.

The thirteenth army corps being all through to the Mississippi and the seventeenth army corps well on the way, so much of the thirteenth as could be got on board the transports and barges were put aboard and moved to the front of Grand Gulf on the 29th of April. The plan here was that the navy should silence the guns of the enemy, and the troops land under cover of the gunboats and carry the place by storm.

At 8 o'clock A.M. the navy made the attack, and kept it up for more than five hours in the most gallant manner. From a tug out in the stream I witnessed the whole engagement. Many times it seemed to me the gunboats were within pistol-shot of the enemy's batteries. It soon became evident that the guns of the enemy were too elevated and their fortifications too strong to be taken from the water side. The whole range of hills on that side were known to be lined with rifle-pits, besides the field artillery could be moved to any position where it could be made useful in case of an attempt at landing. This determined me to again run the enemy's batteries, turn his position by affecting a landing at Rodney, or at Bruinsburg, between Grand Gulf and Rodney. Accordingly orders were immediately given for the troops to debark at Hard Times, Louisiana, and march across to the point immediately below Grand Gulf. At dark the gunboats again engaged the batteries, and all the transports run by, receiving but two or three shots in the passage, and these without injury. I had some time previously ordered a reconnoissance to a point opposite Bruinsburg, to ascertain if possible from persons in the neighborhood the character of the road leading to the highlands back of Bruinsburg. During the night I learned from a negro man that there was a good road from Bruinsburg to Port Gibson, which determined me to land there.

The work of ferrying the troops to Bruinsburg was commenced (p. 380) at daylight in the morning, the gunboats as well as transports being used for the purpose.

As soon as the thirteenth army corps was landed, and could draw three days' rations to put in haversacks (no wagons were allowed to cross until the troops were all over) they were started on the road to Port Gibson. I deemed it a matter of vast importance that the highlands should be reached without resistance.

The seventeenth corps followed as rapidly as it could be put across the river.

About 2 o'clock on the 1st of May, the advance of the enemy was met eight miles from Bruinsburg, on the road to Port Gibson. He was forced to fall back, but as it was dark, he was not pursued far until daylight. Early on the morning of the 1st I went out, accompanied by members of my staff, and found McClernand with his corps engaging the enemy about four miles from Port Gibson. At this point the roads branched in exactly opposite directions, both, however, leading to Port Gibson. The enemy had taken position on both branches, thus dividing as he fell back the pursuing forces. The nature of the ground in that part of the country is such that a very small force could retard the progress of a much larger one for many hours. The roads usually run on narrow, elevated ridges, with deep and impenetrable ravines on either side. On the right were the divisions of Hovey, Carr, and Smith, and on the left the division of Osterhaus, of McClernand's corps. The three former succeeded in driving the enemy from position to position back toward Port Gibson steadily all day.

Osterhaus did not, however, move the enemy from the position occupied by him on our left until Logan's division of McPherson's corps arrived.

McClernand, who was with the right in person, sent repeated messages to me before the arrival of Logan to send Logan's and Quinby's divisions of McPherson's corps to him.

I had been on that as well as all other parts of the field, and could see how they could be used there to advantage. However, as soon as the advance of McPherson's corps (Logan's division) arrived, I sent one brigade to McClernand on the right, and sent one brigade, Brigadier-General J. E. Smith commanding, to the left to the assistance of Osterhaus.

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