The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-05-10

I ne wa8 forced to fall back 10 me-
1 original position.
4 The entire American army was now
pressed by the heavy and concen-
trated fre of the enemys batteries
| The Mexicans had double the number
| of guns. but this was offset by the
/ greater rapidity and skill of the
| American gunners. 1t was combat
almost entirely of field artillery, an
/ arm on which the American officers
I had bestowed great care and atten-
ton. and which now more than an
awered their most sanguine expecta-
( tons san the heavy numerical
! ness with which they behaved. rem
dered the issue doubtful. Arista ham
died his men with skill
Ringgold Killed.
Rlnggold himself. who had up to
this time directed every movement
of his batteries. was now struck by
round shot and was carried from
the field, living but a short time,
In the meantime. Duncan, who mad
repaired injuries to his battery. was
dashing towards the right to take part
in the conflict. While coming down
the line at a gailop, and, as was sup
posed at most critical moment, tho
smoke cloud lifted and showed to him
daring movement on the part of the
Mexican general Prohting by the
! smrke. Ar!sta had cqnce ntrated a
heavy column of cavalry on his ex-
treme right. and this body was now
moving about the American left and
rear and was near where the greater
part Of the baggage train was sta
toned with only small force to pro-
tect It.
Duncan at once communicated this
new danger to General Taylor, who
promptly ordered him to check 1t all
hazards.
Favored by the same cloud OF
smoke. Duncan wheeled and ran his
pieces rapidly toward the left. hut
scarcely had he cleared the burning
prairie and unlimbered two or mis-
guns before the Mexicans We're close
upon him. 4 crashing storm of can
mister and shrapnel directly In their
faces which carried away the entire
head Of their formation, being the
first evidence they had Of his vicinity.
At first hewildere by the rapidity OF
the movement, the Mexicans never
| theless recovered quickly and contin-
ued their advance. Az evey step wide
gaps were cut in their column and So
ett"~-ftttfr tft length 7cr1Tr7r- r-rrz-
mage that the infantry and portion
back into the chaparral for shelter
Montero's lancers ON the extreme
right remained firm. although they
had suffered severely from DunCan's
fire. They were still determined to
ca pture If possible, the wagon train.
Again Duncan was ready 10 receive
them His battery was now all up
and while one section was playing
upon Montero on the right the other
was IN readiness TO meet the new
formation advancing 10 the attack.
The Mexicans stood up under the fire
for a time. but at length had to give
way and reiterated in disorder. Mon
tero's lancers giving ground al the
same time. Arista's entire right wing
WAS thus thrown back under cover
of the close matted Chaparral Night
was now setting In, bat Duncan con-
tnued to advance as long as light
and ground permitted. Meanwhile
the fire Of Arista's batteries had al
most ceased and his left wing was
forced back and when darkness fell
General Taylor was in possession Of
the entire field
Thus ended the battci If Palo Also.
an engagement fought almost entire
w with artillery, In which the I'M
mense superiority Of he American
light batteries was entirely proven.
Arista's loss was some TWO hundred
dead left upon the field or SO SCI
verely wounded that they could not
1 he moved and three hundred we're
! carried wounded in the direction 81
Matamoros The American loss was
comparatively trifling In numbers.
/ being only fifty-six. but among the
/ des d were two Of the best officers OF
the service Ruggold and Faye, both
struck by round shot
The Struggle Renewed.
General Taylor and his troops en-
Ecamped upon the grnund and In the
morning Il was found that Arista hal
fallen back IN Tho direction Of Fort
( Brown and Matamoros. BY the af
ternoon the batteries were sufficiently
repaired for the advance 10 be re-
sumed to the relief of the fort. The
road for more than n mile was strewn
with dead and wounded soldiers and
horses as we'll as superfluGus baggage
and even arms that Arista's men had
thrown away IN their retreat
Aristas outposts were gradually
driven in TN IL became evident that
the Mexicans had determined 70 make
another stand This intelligence was
sent back to General Taylor by Nc
Call. who was in command Of the
vanguard As soon as General Tay-
lor had come up with Mccall ne or