MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA

WRIGHT, Charles Cushing: USA , 1848, Bronze, 90 mm
Obv: Bust of Taylor    MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS: MAY 9, 1848
Rev: Battle scene at Buena Vista above sprays of cactus and oak and encircled by two serpents    BUENA VISTA FEB. 22. & 23. 1847.
Signed:  C.C. WRIGHT F.  S. ELLIS. DEL./ F.A. SMITH DEL. C.C. WRIGHT SCULP
Mintage=176
Ref: Julian 136/MI-24; Failor 199/423; Jaeger and Bowers #114

Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) ("Old Rough and Ready") was commander of the United States forces in the battle of Buena Vista. This battle was the final engagement of the northern campaign of the war between Mexico and the United States (1846-1848). Buena Vista is situated 8 miles south of Saltillo, Mexico. There, on February 23, 1847, General Antonio L. de Santa Anna moved north with 20,000 Mexicans in order to overpower Major General Zachary Taylor's forces, which numbered only about 5,000. The U.S. forces were overwhelmed and suffered many casualties, Taylor losing more than 2,000 men, dead, wounded or missing in the engagement. The Mexican losses were also heavy, and although Santa Anna's forces still greatly outnumbered those of General Taylor, he withdrew to the south, fearing to risk another engagement. Partly on the basis of his performance in this battle, one year later Taylor was nominated by the Whig party and became the twelfth President of the United States. He died suddenly after eighteen months in office.

LINK to Battle of Buena Vista (from The Great Republic of the Master Historians)

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