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Medal Name: Victory of Buena Vista
Struck for: Major-General Zachary Taylor
Approval: Act of Congress May 9, 1848
OBVERSE
MAJOR GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. RESOLUTION OF CONGRESS: MAY 9. 1848.
Undraped bust of General Taylor, facing the right;
underneath, branches of oak and laurel.
REVERSE
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.
BACKGROUND
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 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.
Source: The Medallic History of the United States of America 1776-1876 by J. F. Loubat, LL.D. (1878)