ORDERS NO. 60. HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, As a mark of respect to the chief magistrate of the republic, the work constructed at this place, to cover the main depot of the army, will be known as "Fort Polk." The Commanding General takes this occasion to express his satisfaction with the dispositions made for the defence and protection of this point, so vitally important to the efficiency and security of the army. To Major Munroe, the commanding officer, Captain Sanders of the engineers, Majors Thomas and McRee, and Captains Sibley and Hill of the quartermaster's department, Captain Ramsay of the ordnance, and Lieutenant Montgomery of the subsistence departments, credit is especially due for their zeal and activity. The General returns his thanks to the numerous citizens who volunteered their services in defence of the depot. Their assistance added materially to its strength, and to his confidence in its ability to resist an attack. The reinforcement from the brig "Lawrence," under Lieutenant Renshaw, and the large force of seamen and marines so promptly furnished by the squadron on its arrival, require a special acknowledgment to Commodore Conner and Commander Mercer of the navy. The army is deeply grateful for this support and co-operation from a kindred branch of the public By order of Brigadier General Taylor, service. W. W. J. BLISS, Acting Adjutant General. The following letter, written by one of the surgeons of our squadron, is given in this connection. It was intended to send for the Chaplain of the squadron, to perform the burial service on shore, at the funeral of the lamented Ringgold. But the surf running high during the day or other cause prevented. I sent word by Major Saunders, that while the squadron remained at the anchorage, I should be in readiness to give my attendance, should any further occasion call for my services, and they should be desired. THE LATE GALLANT MAJOR RINGGOLD. CAMP ISABEL, Near the mouth of the Rio Bravo del Norte, The numerous friends of Major Ringgold will doubtless be anxious to know the particulars attending his melancholy end, and I hasten to give them to you. The engagement of the 8th was entirely in the hands of the artillery, and Major R. took a most active and important part in it. About 6 o'clock he was struck by a six-pound shot. He was mounted, and the shot struck him at right angle, hitting him in the right thigh, passing through the holsters and upper part of the shoulders of his horse, and then striking the left thigh, in the same line in which it first struck him. On the evening of the 9th he reached this camp under charge of Dr. Byrne of the army. He was immediately placed in comfortable quarters, and his wounds dressed. An immense mass of muscles and integuments were carried away from both thighs. The arteries were not divided, neither were the bones broken. I remained with him all night. He had but little pain, and at intervals had some sleep. On dressing his wounds in the morning, they presented a most unfavorable aspect, and there was but little reaction. During the night he gave me many incidents of the battle, and spoke with much pride of the execution of his shot. He directed his shot not only to groups and masses of the enemy, but to particular men in their line; he saw them fall, their places occupied by others, who in their tarn were shot down, pointing his guns to the same place, and he felt as confident of hitting his mark as though he had been using a rifle. He had but one thing to regret, and that was the small number of men in his company. He said that he had made use of all his exertions to have his company increased to one hundred men, but without success. From the small number of his men, as they were disabled at their guns, he was without others to take their places. During the day he continued to lose strength, but was free from pain and cheerful. He spoke constantly of the efficiency of his guns, and the brave conduct of his officers and men. He continued to grow worse, and a medical officer remained constantly by his side. Dr. Byrne remained with him during the night, using every means which could be devised to save his valuable life, but without effect. He continued to grow worse until 1 o'clock last night, when he expired. He survived his wounds sixty hours; during all this time he had but little pain-conversed cheerfully, and made all his arrangements for his approaching end, with the greatest composure and resignation. He will be buried to-day at 3 o'clock, P. M., lamented by the whole camp. The wounded are generally doing very well. I am your obedient servant, J. M. FOLTZ, Surgeon United States Navy. A more detailed account of the two battles of PALO ALTO and RESACA DE LA PALMA having been made by General Taylor, accompanied by specific reports from the officers in command of the different divisions of General Taylor's army; together with an account of the defence made by the fortification opposite Matamoras; with other associate particulars of these two brilliant engagements, they might all be appropriately inserted in this place, for their connection and thrilling interest. But space will only admit of introducing General Taylor's detailed report of the two actions, and the bombardment sustained by the American works opposite Matamoras. REPORTS OF GENERAL TAYLOR'S ARMY. HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: I have now the honor to submit a more detailed report of the action of the 8th inst. 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 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 chaparal, 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 Lieut. Col. McIntosh; Major Ringgold's artil'ery; 3d infantry, commanded by Capt. L. N. Morris ; two 18-pounders, commanded by Lieut. Churchill, 3d artillery; 4th infantry, commanded by Major G. W. Allen; the 3d and 4th regiments composed the 3d brigade, under command of Lieut. Col. 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 Col. Twiggs. The left was formed by the battalion of artillery commanded by Lieut. Col. Childs, Capt. Duncan's light artillery, and the 8th infantry under Capt. Montgomery-all forming the 1st brigade, under command of Lieut. Col. Belknap. The train was packed near the water, under direction of Capts. Crossman and Myers, and protected by Capt. Ker's squadron. At 2 o'clock we took up the march by heads of columns, in the direction of the enemy-the 18-pounder battery following the road. While the columns were advancing, Lieut. Blake, topographical engineers, volunteered a reconnoissance of the enemy's line, which was handsomely performed, and resulted in the discovery of at least two 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 8th infantry, on our extreme left, was thrown back to secure that flank. The first fires of the enemy did little execution, while our 18-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 chaparral, to our right, to threaten that flank, or make a demonstration against the train. The 5th infantry was immediately detached to check this movement, and supported by Lieut. Ridgely, with a section of Major Ringgold's battery and Captain Walker's company of volunteers, effectually repulsed the enemy-the 5th infantry repelling a charge of lancers, and the artillery doing great execution in their ranks. The 3d 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 4th 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, as the cannonade had been suspended, I ordered forward the 18-pounders on the road nearly to the position first occupied by the Mexican cavalry, and caused the 1st brigade to take up a new position still on the left of the 18-pounder battery. The 5th 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 a 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. Capt. 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 4th infantry, which had been ordered so support the 18-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 18-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 Lieut. Col. 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 18-pounders. The battalion was instantly formed in square, and held ready to receive the charge of cavalry; but when the advancing squadrons were within close range, a deadly fire of canister from the 18 pounders dispersed them A brisk fire of small arms was now opened upon the square, by which one officer, Lieut. 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 the 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 Capt. 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 packed 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. I annex a statement of the casualties of the day. Our own force engaged, is shown by the field report, herewith, to have been 177 officers and 2111 men-aggregate, 2288. The Mexican force, according to the statements of their own officers taken prisoners in the affair of the 9th, was not less than 6000 regular troops, with 10 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 the reports of their own officers. As already reported in my first brief dispatch, the conduct of our officers and men was every thing that could be desired. Exposed for hours to the severest trial-a cannonade of artillery-our troops displayed a coolness and constancy which gave me, throughout, the assurance of victory. I purposely defer the mention of individuals, until my report of the action of the 9th. when I will endeavor to do justice to the many instances of distinguished conduct on both days. In the mean time, I refer, for minute details, to the reports of individual com manders. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brigadier General U. S. Army, Commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, SIR: In submitting a more minute report of the affair of "Resaca de la Palma," I have the honor to state that early in the morning of the 9th inst., the enemy who had encamped near the field of battle of the day previous, was discovered moving by his left flank, evidently in retreat; and perhaps at the same time to gain a new position on the road to Matamoras, and there again resist our advance. I ordered the supply train to be strongly packed at its position, and left with it four pieces of artillery-the two eighteen-pounders which had done such good service on the previous day-and two twelve-pounders which had not been in the action. The wounded officers and men were at the same time sent back to Point Isabel. I then moved forward with the columns to the edge of the chaparral or forest, which extends to the Rio Grande, a distance of seven miles. The light companies of the 1st brigade, under Captain C. F. Smith, 2d artillery, and a select detachment of light troops, the whole under the command of Captain McCall, 4th infantry, were thrown forward into the chaparral to feel the enemy and ascertain his position. About 3 o'clock, I received a report from the advance that the enemy was in position on the road, with at least two pieces of artillery. The command was immediately put in motion, and at about 4 o'clock I came up with Captain McCall, who reported the enemy in force in our front, occupying a ravine which intersects the road, and is skirted by thickets of dense chaparral. Ridgely's battery and the advance under Captain McCall were at once thrown forward on the road, and into the chaparral on either side, while the 5th infantry and one wing of the 4th, was thrown into the forest on the left, and the 3d and the other wing of the 4th, on the right of the road. These corps were employed as skirmishers to cover the battery, and engage the Mexican infantry. Capt. McCall's command became at once engaged with the enemy, while the light artillery, though in a very exposed position, did great execution. The enemy had at least eight pieces of artillery, and maintained an incessant fire upon our advance. The action now became general, and although the enemy's infantry gave way before the steady fire and resistless progress of our own, yet his artillery was still in position to check our advance-several pieces occupying the pass across the ravine which he had chosen for his position. Perceiving that no decisive advantage could be gained until this artillery was silenced, I ordered Captain May to charge the batteries with his squadron of dragoons. This was gallantly and effectually executed, the enemy was driven from his guns, and General La Vega, who remained alone at one of the batteries, was taken prisoner. The squadron, which suffered much in this charge, not being immediately supported by infantry, could not retain possession of the artillery taken, but it was completely silenced. In the meantime the 8th infantry had been ordered up, and had become warmly engaged on the right of the road. This regiment, and a part of the 5th, were now ordered to charge the batteries, which was handsomely done, and the enemy entirely driven from his artillery and his position on the left of the road. The light companies of the 1st brigade and the 3d and 4th regiments of infantry, had been deployed on the right of the road, where, at various points, they became briskly engaged with the enemy. A small party under Captain Buchanan and Lieutenants Wood and Hays, 4th infantry, composed chiefly of men of that regiment, drove the enemy from a breast work which he occupied, and captured a piece of artillery. An attempt to recover this piece was repelled by Captain Barbour, 3d infantry. The enemy was at last completely driven from his position on the right of the road, and retreated precipitately, leaving baggage of every description. The 4th infantry took possession of a camp where the head-quarters of the Mexican general-in-chief were established. All his official correspondence was captured at this place. The artillery battalion (excepting the flank companies) had been ordered to guard the baggage train, which was packed some distance in rear. That battalion was now ordered up to pursue the enemy, and with the 3d infantry, Captain Ker's dragoons, and Captain Duncan's battery, followed him rapidly to the river, making a number of prisoners. Great numbers of the enemy were drowned in attempting to cross the river near the town. The corps last mentioned encamped near the river-the remainder of the army on the field of battle. The strength of our marching force on this day, as exhibited in the annexed field report, was 173 officers, and 2049 men-aggregate, 2222. The actual number engaged with the enemy did not exceed 1700. Our loss was three officers killed, and twelve wounded; thirty-six men killed, and seventy-one wounded. Among the officers killed, I have to regret the loss of Lieutenant Inge, 2d dragoons, who fell at the head of his platoon, while gallantly charging the enemy's battery; of Lieutenant Cochrane of the 5th, and Lieutenant Chadbourne, of the 8th infantry, who likewise met their death in the thickest of the fight. The officers wounded were Lieutenant Colonel Payne, Inspector General; Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d infantry, serving with the light infantry advance, slightly; Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh, 5th infantry, severely, (twice); Captain Hooe, 5th infantry, (right arm since amputated); Lieutenant Fowler, 5th infantry, slightly; Captain Montgomery, 8th infantry, slightly; Lieutenants Gates and Jordan, 8th infantry, severely, (each twice); Lieutenants Selden, Maclay, Burbank, and Morris, 8th infantry, slightly. A statement of the killed and wounded is annexed herewith. I have no accurate data from which to estimate the enemy's force on this day. He is known to have been reinforced after the action of the 8th, both by cavalry and infantry, and no doubt to an extent at least equal to his loss on that day. It is probable that 6000 men were opposed to us, and in a position chosen by themselves, and strongly defended with artillery. The enemy's loss was very great. Nearly 200 of his dead were buried by us on the day succeeding the battle. His loss in killed, wounded, and missing, in the two affairs of the 8th and 9th, is, I think, moderately estimated at 1000 men. Our victory has been decisive. A small force has overcome immense odds of the best troops that Mexico can furnish-veteran regiments, perfectly equipped and appointed. Eight pieces of artillery, several colors and standards, a great number of prisoners, including fourteen officers, and a large amount of baggage and public property, have fallen into our hands. The causes of victory are doubtless to be found in the superior quality of our officers and men. I have already, in former reports, paid a general tribute to the admirable conduct of the troops on both days. It now becomes my duty-and I feel it to be one of great delicacy-to notice individuals. In so extensive a field as that of the 8th, and in the dense cover where most of the action of the 9th was fought, I could not possibly be witness to more than a small portion of the operations of the various corps; and I must, therefore, depend upon the reports of subordinate commanders, which I respectfully enclose here with. Colonel Twiggs, the second in command, was particularly active on both days in executing my orders, and directing the operations of the right wing. Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh, commanding the 5th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Garland, commanding the 3d brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Belknap, commanding the 1st brigade, Lieutenant Colonel Childs, commanding the artillery battalion, Major Allen, Captains L. N. Morris and Montgomery, commanding respectively the 4th, 3d, and 8th regiments of infantry, were zealous in the performance of their duties, and gave examples to their commands of cool and fearless conduct. Lieutenant Colonel McIntosh repulsed with his regiment a charge of lancers in the action of Palo Alto, and shared with it in the honors and dangers of the following day, being twice severely wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Belknap headed a charge of the |
