Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-06-04

cracked, but il is our profession. Nevertheless.
mark what l gay---uniess everything we de-
mand il granted cur banner will N few DAYS
wave from the walls Of Malamoras.
THE FLYING ARTiLLRRY-RIHG-
GOLD-RIDGELY, &C.
We have before as letter, dated aMay II !,
Camp opposite Mafamoras," from an officer
who participated in the two engagements
which terminated so gloriously to our arms
The Palo Alto and La Resaco de la Palma
While, as citizens Of the United States. we
feel proud Of the courage, judgment and mill.
tary skill, displayed by the COMMANDMENT
Chief Of our gallant little army, the heroic con-
duct of those who more Immediately represen-
ted our own State, cannot fail deeply to inter
est us as citizens OF Maryland II is our pur-
pose, IN the present article, particularly 10 al
lude to the fine corps Of Flying Artillery,
which lately left our city, under command Of
Maj. RInG0oLD. This corps, from its long
station here, and from the intimacy Of its off
GERS and men with our citizens. has become
so identified with the city OF Baltimore as to be
to i, an object Of particular regard Its chief
officer, the gallant RrnceoLD, had, during a
long residence in our midst, enshrined him in
the hearts and confidence Of our citizens and
the attention paid by him to the corps under
his command had anticipated for il honor in
time of action. Mai. RINGeoLD was MORALLY
wounded in the battle of Palo Alto. and to the
last retained the same consciousness and cool
ness which had characterised him at the head
OF his company.
Lieut.. RANDOLPH RIDGELY, likewise
Marylander, succeeded to the command of the
Flying Artillery. Lieut. Ridgely distinguish
ed himself in the Florida Wars. We have
seen Col. BANKHEAD's report of the battle of
Locha Hatehee, on tbs 9th January, 1888,
in which particular mention is made of his
gallantry.
During the engagement of the 9Th, in which
Major RINGGoLD was wounded, he had his
horse shot under him. The following is an
extract from the letter before us: ''The fourth
shot OF the enemy struck the horse of Lieut..
RIDGELY in the head, killing the man to whom
he was about handing the bride. Shortly af-
ter, Lieut.. r. was detached with two pieces to
another part of the field where he had hot
work"
The loss suffered by the Flying Artillery on
this day was that Of its Major and this one
man. The letter goes on to say : "The next
day we took up our march. After proceeding
about five miles, an express came back. or
derlng Lieut.. RIDGELY to the frontwith his bat
terry. He advanced and reported to the Gene
raj, who told him that the enemy occupied the
road about half a mile ahead, with six or
eight pieces Of artillery, and in great force, on
each side covered by the thick chapparel.-
Lieut. RIDGELY moved forward cautiously
about twenty yards ahead of his pieces, when
he perceived few on the road about 400 yards
in front. Instantly they opened their batteries
on him. he ordered trot, and we went up
nd
turned their fire. This continued with great
rapidity for some time--they having likewise
infantry firing with them. We discovered
they were falling back-limbered up, and
dashed ahead $50 yards, when we again saw
them. We drove them back half mile, when
Capt MAY rode up and enquired of Lieut..
RIDGELy as to their position. stating that he
was about to charge. Lieut.. II. told him to
wait until we give them one round from all
our pieces. He did so, and then rushed fol-
ward at the head of his cavalry-we following
with our battery at full gallop. MAY succee-
ded in taking prisoner Gen. LA VEGA--the I'd
in command-and drove them from their pie
ces, but suffered terribly by their musketry.-
We reached the edge Of the ravne as he turn
ed and saw two regiments about sixty yards
off--at once halted, and as we Were unlimber-
ing our guns, their muskery, and three pieces
with grape, opened upon US. They knocked
over eight horses and FIVE men. We returned
their fire with double vigor, and with the in
fantry, after about twenty minutes Of the most
terrible slaughter, put them 10 the route. We
followed, but had not pursued over 200 yards,
when we came on their entire camp--took
every thing they had all their ammunition, 9
pieces of artillery, 800 pack mules, personal
baggage and private communications of their
their Commander General, ARIsTA his silver
plate. ETC., etc. Our force was about 1900
theirs about 5000. Gen. LA VEoA says he
has been in battles since his boyhood, but new
er saw men rush up to the cannons' mouth as
our troops did and could not think it possible
for artillery TO move as our batteries did
Lieut.. RIDGELY was introduced TO him as
the officer who commanded the leading bat
terry, of whose effectiveness he particularly
spoke. We lost in our company, | killed, 5
wounded, with Is horses"
We understand that in letter 10 his family,
Lieut. RIpeELY speaks in the highest terms of
the gallanuy and GOODNESS with which he was
supported by Lieuts. SHOWER, FREMONT, and
FRENcH-and Of the promptness and intrepid
ty of the men. This was indeed a bravely
fought battle and glorious victory, and while
with sincere grief we lament the fate OF those
who fell, it is with pride that we contemplate
the gallant behaviour of the survivors,. This
blended feeling recalls to our mind the famous
reply of the English King when told of the
death of PERCY in "Chevy Case"
Now, God be with him, said our King,
'Sith twill no better be,
thrust have W thin my realm,
Five hundred good as he.
We hope that the GIVE hundred" will be
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