The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-09
fired as cover for the movement

tired as a cover for the movement
In an interval when RidgeIy lad but
one gun in action body of Mexican Ian
GERS swooped down the road, threatening
to destroy the battery. The single gun had q
shell in it intended for the Mexican artillery
far up the road, but load of canister was
quickly rammed in on top of it. and the ven
turesome Mexican horsemen were annihi-
lated. AT this time Capt. May was well up
to the front supporting Ridgley's guns.
Taylor was near, also, as was his custom
to be where the need was greatest. 1t was
here that he remarked to a friend who
warned him that he was exposing his per-
son too much in the heavy fire then raging,
let us ride a little nearer and the
balls will fall behind u.s." 1t was evident,
notwithstanding the hard fighting of the
Americans, that the battle was going
against them. The Mexicans had eight can
non well posted, while Taylor had only those
under Ridgely that could reply to them, and
these were much exposed. Taylor's in
fantry pressed up to the ravine at points
on the right and left Of the road, but could
make no Roadway at the place where the
road crossed, for here the Mexican guns
literally combed the surface of the ground
.
did firing had at last driven back the ad-
vance Mexican guns, and their artillery
was massed in and behind the pass over
the ravine. Taylor determined to have those
batteries carried at any cost, and ordered
May to charge with his dragons.
1t was most desperate piece of work,
and such as is usually assigned TO volun-
teers. Some accounts of the affair have it
that the daring cavalryman sought the
honor, riding from his position near Ridge
ly's pieces to the general and asking if he
should charge the guns on the opposite
side of the ravine. The reply quoted from
old Rough and Ready" is, Charge, cap
tain, nolens volens" But in his report
TAYLOR states as follows: "Perceiving that
no decisive advantage could be gained until
the artillery was silenced | ordered Capt.
May to charge the batteries with his squad
ron of dragons"
1t is highly probable that on receipt of
this order by hands Of an aidc-de-cRmp May
rode back for definite instructions, wishing
TO know if Taylor really meant to send
pitiful squadron along a narrow roadway
lined with the enemy's infantry and swept
with artillery fire to charge several cannon
in position; in fact, To attack the Next
can stronghold. The Mexican general who
directed the artillery, Gen. La Vega, is re-
ported to have said that ''if had had any
sum of money in camp | would have con
sidered it as safe as if at the City of Mexico
[ would have bet any amount that no 10000
men could have driven rs"
Such was the confidence of the Mexicans
in their position and their superiority of
numbers, and mp TO the decisive moment
when May charged, the belief was well
founded. Mays unexcellcd daring and
the forethought and courage Of Lieut..
Ridgely in this crisis made up for all the
inequalities of the situation. When
May returned to Ridgely's position and
reported Taylor's utimatum the latter
had bis guns shifted and masked, aud he
exclaimed to his comrade, who came on at
the head Of lis devoted band, Hold on,