American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-06-02


med them again, and returned. Scarcely had
he reported, when they opened their batteries
upon our line, and the work of destruction COM
menced. Our batteries at once answered their
fire, and soon we were enveloped in a cloud OF
smoke. Our examination provedto be correct
they had seven pieces in one battery, and i've
in another; to which we had ten pieces oppos-
ed.
Our men bore the fire most admirably, evln-
cling not the slightest ear and whilst the balls
were flying in every direction, dealing destruc-
ton OH every side, sweeping down men and
horses, with legs, arms, bodies and heads strew-
ed around them, many Of the men were eating
crackers from their knapsacks, and waiting for
the word. Gen. Taylor did not wish TO ad-
vance and give them the advantage Of position,
so quietly contented himself with hammering
them at a distance, our line being so formed
that in case their lanCers charged, we could
form squares against their cavalry, and receive
them on the point Of the bayonet. Thus the
battle was confined to the Cannonado Tor two
hours, the infantry and Dragons taking NO
part in the fight. The enemy proved them
selves most excellent Camnonlers. Their shot
flew thick and fast, doing great execution
was very much astonished to find that their
balls, Instead of being made ofiron, were made
of brass. After cannonade of two hours, the
enemy ceased firing, and fell back short dis
lance. An interval Of something near two
hours ccurred, before the action commenced
again. This gave us a chance to attend to the
wounded.
Here the writer gives an account Of the re-
engagement in the afternoon, accompanied by
| diagram, and after noting the movements of
! Gen Taylor to Counteract those Of the enemy,
he proceeds;
| I Just at this moment the fire on our right,
directed against Major Rnggold's battery, be-
came awiully severe, the infantry regiments
were badly cut by their round shot and grape.
| News was brought that they were trying 10
outfank us again. was ordered by Colonel
| Twiggs, who was in the hottest Of the fight, to
ride out to the right and to the rear, with Il
corporal of dragons, and reconnoltre; did so,
and rode TO the point Of the chaparral marked
o, having passed the point Of underwood, with
my back slightly turned towards it, the first
intimation had of an enemy was pistol ball
from lancer, and turning TO look, observed
six of them charging on us, the corporal, a
most gallant fellow, called out, "ths is too hot,
Mr. T., we must retreat" wheeled my horse
very short towards them, drew pistol, aimed
at the nearest of the six, and fortunately for
him, the pistol missed fire; in wheeling my
mare short slipped her shoulder, but putting
spurs to her freely, had just the good luck to
reach our lines, when she failed and had tc
dIsmount-the injury proved so severe that
, had to abandon her entirely.
, procured another horse, and rode to the
main line of battle Here met with the sac
news that Major Ringgold had been shot anc
l. was reported dead: the latter was not the case
! Al h. LoJ of br oVUt
wounds you can conceive Of He was sitting
on his favorite charger "Dauid Branche," SC
well known throughout the whole country, anC
r giving orders to his battery, which had borne
the most deadly fire Of the enemy so long anc
) with such perfect GOODNESS, when sx-pounc
shot struck his left thigh about two-thirds the
distance above the knee, cutting off all the fest
above the bone; it passed through his holster
, cutting his left pistol short off at the lock- pas
, sing through the saddle, blanket, the shoulders
of his horse, on through the saddle, holster, cut
e ting the right pistol off at the lock, and taking
all the flesh off the right leg as from the LETT
D He fell Immediately from his horse. LIT. Sho
S yer, in command of section of his battery, was
y passing at the moment saw him fall, and or
: dered caisson to stop and pick him up. Al
Y the men approached him, he told them to le
v him remain as he was and push forwards they
v had enough before them to accomplish before
s night. In few moments he was carried t
/. the rear, and received prompt attention. saw
@ him after the battle and on the next morning
Y he seemed to bear up against it wonderfully
q lust as the gallant soldier should do, The sur
9 geon stated that he certainly would recover
d none Of the bones were injured; and when
t took leave of him, Just previous to his beni
sent back with the wounded to Point Isabel
If the doctors all thought he would certainly re
If cover; but such was not his fate. The gallan
spirit, so long the ornament of our service, wa
not destined even to hear the glorious news G
l. the battle of the 9th: he died just before the ex
d press arrived. With what satisfaction, even il
is his last moments, could he have listened to tn
10 recital of the gallant deeds-ay, to the wonder
l. performed by his battery, under the com
l. mand OF his accomplished LIST 1t Randolp
d Rdgely!-tban whom there is not more ac
10 complished soldier in our army. In the deaf
= of Mai. Ringgod, the army has sustained
j. great loss, To his exeItions is to be attribute
T r.. acton Of this new arm of our service
D E.La Hesl-the efficiency Of which ha
T. 81 rrly demonstrated in the late battles
Z, Ilo nlu brought tins important arm to the Vi
10 most degree Of perfection; and as an artlller
., officer, he had not superior in the SERVICE
lie His loss is deeply felt by every one, and Ia
re cast deep gloom over the whole army H
Or died at this place-preserving to the last hi
lie perfect selfpossession the 10th, and Wa
IN buried on the following day with military hor
Ell ors.
as Fortunately for the service here, the batter
I'd has fallen into safe hands the command in
a mediately devolved upon Lit. Rldgely, havin
- as his junior officers LIST Lit. Shower, mo
al valuable officer, and I'd Its. Fremont an
French, 10 whom great credit is due for the
"a skill and bravery throughout the entire fight
nd But to resume When it was understood thi
d, the enemy were trying to outaank our rigl
DIS and attack our wagon train, the 9Th regimen
US moved off and took the position marked q, an
w there formed square AGAINST cavalry. and pi