letter to Robert Wood, 9 May 1846

Camp three miles from Matamoros on the field of battle 10 o clock at night May 9th 1846

My dear Dr

After a severe affair of yesterday, principally with artillery, with six thousand of the best Mexican troops we succeeded after a continued contest of five hours in driving the enemy from his position & occupying the same laying on our arms ; at day light he was still in sight, apparently disposed to renew the contest, but on our making the arrangements for doing so he retired on the Matamoros road & took a strong position at this place, & awaited the attack which we commenced at about four o clock P. M. & after a severe contest of two hours a close quarters we succeeded in gaining a complete victory, dispersing them in every direction taking their artillery, baggage or means of transportation, a number of standards &c, with a great loss of killed, wounded & prisoners, one of the first is a Gen of artillery, & among the latter is Gen Lavega one of the most accomplished officers of their army ; the war I have no doubt is completely brought to a close on this side the Rio Grande ; the enemy who escaped having recrossed said river So brilliant an achievement could not be expected without heavy loss on our side, we have many killed & wounded among the former is Mr Inge of the dragoons, Cockran of the fourth Infy. & Chadbourn of the 8th among the latter is Col Mclntosh Pain Capt Hooe L< Gates Jordon Selden & Burbank & some others besides many n c d officers 8 & privates My orders was to make free use of the bayonet, which was done as far as it be, or as the enemy would permit I have escaped alth I was as much exposed as any one on the ground The fort was safe, but Majr Brown9 died to-day from a severe injury he rec d from a shell ; which has thrown a gloom over the whole affair My respects to Dr Wells, 10 Munroe, 11 & Saunders, & I may say any other inquiring friends

Yours Truly

& Sincerely

Z. TAYLOR D R R. C. WOOD

U. S. Army