DEATH OF MAJOR RINGGOLD.

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the Mexican town of Matamoros. This state of things could not last, for immediately upon his arrival the Mexicans assumed a belligerent attitude, and, on the 12th of April, General Ampudia, then in command, summoned General Taylor to break up his camp within twenty-four hours, and to retire beyond the Nueces River; and, in the event of his failure to comply with these demands, announced that arms, and arms alone must decide the contest. Both armies now prepared for the conflict which was inevitable. General Taylor immediately began to throw up suitable works, while the Mexicans were strengthening their defences on the other side of the river. By the 6th of April, Major Mansfield, of the U. S. Engineers, had completed. a strong battery, which was afterwards named Fort Brown, in honor of a brave officer who was killed in its defence. No actual violence was committed until April 10, when Colonel Truemen Cross, of Maryland, Assistant Quartermaster General of the army, rode out of camp for exercise, and was murdered. On the 21st his body was discovered in the forest, about four miles from camp, stripped of his clothes, and the flesh torn from the bones by vultures. It was learned that he had been attacked and stripped by the banditti of Roman Falcon, and afterwards slain by a blow on the head from that desperado's pistol.

The Mexicans continued their depredations until the 24th of April, when General Arista, who had succeeded to the command of the army, communicated to General Taylor that "he considered hostilities commenced, and should prosecute them." On the same day a reconnoitering party of sixty-three dragoons, under the commands of Captains Hardee and Thornton, who had been sent to ascertain whether the Mexican troops had crossed, or were preparing to cross the river, became engaged with a large body of these troops, and after a short affair, in which some sixteen were killed and wounded, were surrounded and compelled to surrender. This skirmish, which at once irritated the Americans and inspired the Mexicans with overweening confidence, brought about the result which every one expected; and the sudden march of General Taylor to Point Isabel, the chief depository of his military stores, was regarded by the Mexicans as an ignominious retreat. General Taylor having reinforced. Point Isabel, in returning to his camp opposite Matamoros, met the main force of the enemy, almost thrice his own number, advantageously posted at Palo Alto. After an engagement from two o'clock in the afternoon till

1 He was born in Washington County, Maryland, in 1800, and in 1814 entered the army as a cadet. He was appointed second lieutenant of artillery on the 24th of July, 1818, and assigned, on the 21st of May, 1821, to the second artillery, and third artillery, August 21st of the same year; promoted to first lieutenant, May,

MAJOR RINGGOLD.'

1822; brevetted captain, for "ten years' faithful service," May, 1832; captain, August, 1836; brevetted major, "for meritorious conduct in activity and efficiency in war against Florida Indians," 15th of February, 1838; major, 1843, and mortally wounded in the battle of Palo Alto, and died 11th of May, 1816, at Point Isa

night, the Mexicans were driven from the field with great loss. The skill and celerity with which the American artillery was handled, probably decided the fortunes of the day, but with the loss of its distinguished commander, Major Samuel Ringgold.

On the 9th of May, when within four miles of the Rio Grande, General Taylor again encountered the Mexicans, strongly posted at the pass of Resaca de la Palma, and was again victorious. The Mexicans left two hundred men on the field, lost eight pieces of artillery, much valuable baggage, and some prisoners. Next to the coolness and firmness of the commanding general, the individual efforts of Captains May, Duncan, Walker, and Lieutenant Ridgely, mainly contributed to the success of the American arms.

Upon the death of Ringgold, his First Lieutenant, Randolph Ridgely, another gallant Marylander, succeeded to the command of the Light Artillery. At the battle of Resaca de la Palma, this brave and worthy successor of the lamented Ringgold, with his battery, was in the midst of the engagement thrown forward in the road. Moving cautiously along he discovered the enemy about four hundred yards in advance, and almost instantaneously their artillery opened upon him. Ridgely ordered forward his battery at full speed, a short distance, and returned the fire with precision and effect. The cannonade was kept up for some time on both sides with great spirit, after which, Ridgely, desiring to make the fire short and sharp, limbered up and

bel, Texas. Mr. Powell, in his life of Henry Taylor, says: "Upon reaching the field of Palo Alto, at about three o'clock, in the afternoon of the 8th of May, the action commenced by the Mexicans opening their batteries on their right, at a distance of half a mile from our line. The fire was responded to by two 18-pounders, in charge of Lieutenant Churchill; Major Ringgold now took position to the right and front of the 18-pounders, at a distance of 700 yards from the enemy, subsequently advancing 100 yards, and opened his battery with tremendous effect, as was shown the next day by the large number of the enemy's dead found on the field along their line. Major Ringgold pointed the guns with his own hand, with unerring precision, directing the shot not only to groups and masses of the enemy, but to particular men in their lines. He saw them fall in numbers, their places occupied by others, who, in their turn, were shot down. Pointing his guns to the same place, to use his own words, he felt as confident of hitting his mark as though he had been using a rifle.' The infantry was formed in his rear as his support, and cheered rapturously the brilliant movements and destructive execution of his battery, while they received the enemy's fire with great coolness at a 'shoulder,' impatient only for the order to charge. At length, a regiment of the enemy's lancers were seen to make a demonstration towards our right, apparently to gain possession of our wagon train, when Lieutenant Randolph Ridgely was detached with two pieces

to check the movement. This left Major Ringgold short of men, or rather with a less number than he desired and considered actually necessary to execute his movement with celerity, and to supply the places of those who fell or became disabled. This was a source of regret to him, even in his last moments; but he gallantly and nobly did his duty. Not a shade of incapacity, want of diligence, lack of bravery on the battle field, can rest on his memory or the sunshine of his military character." For three long hours, he continued, with his two remaining pieces, to do great execution, until shot through the thighs by a cannon ball, passing from right to left, carrying with it a large mass of muscle and integuments, and tearing off the front of the saddle and withers of the noble horse on which he rode. He fell slowly from his horse, and had scarcely reached the ground, when Lieutenant Shover came to his assistance, and while he supported him, called for a caisson to carry him to the rear. "Never mind, sir," said Ringgold; "you have work to do-go ahead with your men; all are wanted in front." When, however, finally prevailed upon to be carried from the field, he remarked, with great coolness, to his lieutenant: "Be careful to get an empty caisson, as you may require all your ammunition." His body was brought to Baltimore, and there buried with grand civic and military honors, on the 221 of December.-Dr. James Wynne. Gardner's Biographical Dictionary.

advanced upon the enemy's batteries to within a hundred yards, and at this fearful proximity poured in rapid and terrible discharges of grape and canister. The action now became general, and the battle raged with fury along the whole line. In various parts of the field was heard the roll of musketry, where the infantry, divided into small parties by the intervening chaparral, was contending with the enemy; while the artillerists, under the intrepid Ridgely, kept up an incessant and terrible fire. The roar of the enemy's guns was almost continuous, and their fire, had it not been directed too high, would have swept Ridgely's batteries, and annihilated his command.

While the battle thus raged, Captain May made his famous cavalry charge and captured the enemy's batteries and their commander, General La Vega. Two days after this battle on the 11th of May, Congress received from the President a message in which he announced that

"After reiterated menaces, Mexico has passed the boundary of the United States, has invaded our territory, and shed American blood upon the American soil. She has proclaimed that hostilities have commenced, and that the two nations are now at war.

"As war exists, and, notwithstanding all our efforts to avoid it, exists by the Act of Mexico itself, we are called upon by every consideration of duty and patriotism to vindicate with decision, the honor, the rights and the interests of our country.' The President 'invokes the prompt action of Congress to recognize the existence of the war, and to place at the disposition of the Executive, the means of prosecuting the war with vigor, and thus hastening the restoration of peace.'"

Congress on the 13th of May, declared "that by the Act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that government and the United States," and authorized the President "to employ the militia, naval and military forces of the United States, and to call for and accept the services of any number of volunteers not exceeding 50,000, to serve twelve months after they shall have arrived at the place of rendezvous, or to the end of the war, unless sooner discharged, according to the time for which they shall have been mustered into service."

The President, with the view of securing to the citizens of each State and Territory the privilege of participating in the war, apportioned the volunteer force under his call among the several States and Territories; and made his requisition upon the Governor of Maryland for two regiments of infantry, as the quota of that State.

In response to this requisition Governor Thomas G. Pratt, on the 21st of May, 1846, issued his proclamation calling "upon the citizens of the State of Maryland, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, to enroll

1 It is stated that, when Captain May arrived at the place occupied by Ridgely and his brave cannoneers, the smoke was so thick that he could not tell where the enemy were. He rode up to Ridgely, and cried out, "Where's their battery, Randy?" Knowing the danger attending a charge upon their guns when loaded, Ridgely replied, "Just ride out of my line a

little, and I'll find 'em for you, Charley!" and instantly firing his battery in their direction. The enemy at once returned the fire, with effect. "There they are, Charley; now go it!" said Ridgely, and instantly Captain May, with his dragoons, sprang forward to the charge and captured the battery.

themselves forthwith, that the two regiments required of this State may be immediately filled and mustered into the service of the United States." The governor said:

"The sons of Maryland have always obeyed the call of patriotism and duty, and will now sustain the honor of the State by enabling her to be the first, or amongst the first to offer the Federal Executive, for muster into the service of the country, her quota of the volunteer force which has been called for."

The war with Mexico, had by this time, become the absorbing interest in Maryland. The voice of faction was for the time silent, and the whole people concurred in giving to the government their support in the vigorous prosecution of the war. For their devotion to their country and their public spirit, the citizens of Baltimore, were not surpassed by any other section of the Union. In time of war, they knew no party divisions, but united as patriots in upholding the honor of the country.

Upon receipt of the governor's proclamation, the City Council passed a resolution calling upon the mayor of the city to convoke the people in Town Meeting. In compliance with this request, Mayor Davies issued his proclamation, and on the 23d of May, in accordance with it, the citizens of Baltimore assembled in Town Meeting in Monument Square. After the selection of a large number of officers, and addresses by Colonel Davies, Robert M. McLane, Reverdy Johnson, General Samuel Houston and William L. Yancey, the meeting adopted a set of resolutions, in which it was

"Resolvel, By the people of Baltimore, in Town Meeting assembled, that we fully appreciate the crisis in which our beloved country is engaged, and rejoicing in the remem brance of our 'heroes of old, and their blood in our veins,' we here solemnly pledge our lives to emulate their patriotism and valor which repelled from our shores a foreign invader. Thus summoned by the rude blast of war from the still and peaceful homes we hold sacred, we are resolved,

That living, we shall be victorious,

Or, that dying, our death shall be glorious.

From the walls of yonder monument, we will unfurl our banner and inscribe upon it the watch-word of Decatur-Our country-right or wrong."

From all sections of the State, volunteers were organizing and pressing to be placed upon active duty; but it was impossible to gratify them, as the States in the more immediate vicinity of war, had the preference, and furnished nearly all the force required. It was gratifying, however, to see the patriotic feeling which prevailed, and the unanimity in the resolve to maintain the war manfully and successfully.1

"The company under Captain James E. Stewart are still encamped on Chase's Hill, busily engaged in drill and military exercise, and steadily increasing their numbers. The rifle company, formed at the Exchange, encamped yesterday morning in the park. The Chesapeake Riflemen, under Captain Steiner, meet every evening for drill, and are rapidly

filling up their ranks. The shipmasters, and others on the Point, as well as the German citizens, are forming a volunteer company, to be tendered to the President for service in Mexico. The whole number of volunteers in the several corps which are organized, is between 400 and 500 men, and a better set of soldiers, when they have learned the acts and mysteries of war,

THE BALTIMORE AND WASHINGTON VOLUNTEERS.

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Such was the spirit of the Baltimoreans, that they alone could have filled the full quota of troops required from Maryland under the requisition of the President; but on account of so many offering their services in Baltimore, recruiting was ordered to be discontinued, and those who were mustered into the service were held as reserve and not as a portion of the State's quota of volunteers.

Fortunately, however, for some of those who were eager to participate in the defence of their country, it was arranged that a battalion of six companies should be formed, composed of four companies recruited in Baltimore, and two from Washington City, to be designated "The Battalion of Baltimore and Washington Volunteers." Other companies from Baltimore solicited the Secretary of War for the same favor, but were not successful.1

This battalion, which was second to none in discipline and bravery in the army, embarked on the transport steamer Massachusetts, on the 13th of June, 1846, and on the 16th, got under weigh for the seat of war. After a voyage of fourteen days, the ship arrived off the Island of Brazos, Mexico, and on the 1st and 2d of July the troops were landed. On the 9th they took up their line of march for Mexico, and on the 24th, after suffering from the extreme heat, etc., reached the main "army of occupation," and camped opposite the Mexican town of Burita.

Soon after the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, General Taylor was reinforced by several regiments of volunteers, and thinking it better to advance into the interior than to remain inactive, which would at once encourage the Mexicans, and be in many ways injurious to his own army, he crossed the Rio Grande on the 17th of May, 1846, and took possession of the town of Matamoros, which had been abandoned by the enemy; but his progress had been retarded by the rapid influx of volunteers, in great numbers, unaccompanied by the necessary means of transportation and proper supplies.

could not be selected from our citizens."-Baltimore Clipper, May 20, 1846.

The same patriotic spirit was manifested in other sections of the State: In Westminster, a company of volunteers was formed; also, in Belair, Harford County; in Annapolis, West River, Cumberland, Hagerstown, Frederick Washington County, Leonardtown, Port Tobacco, Chestertown, and other places. In Talbot County, Briga lier General Tench Tilghman issued an order to the citizens of his district, "to engage in the formation of companies, under the provision of the 6th section of the Act of Assembly of 1835, and especially of mounted companies of riflemen and flying artillery, as best suited, by their facility of transportation, to the defence of a district exposed at numerous points." This was in apprehension of trouble with England, growing out of the Oregon boundary troubles and the exposure of the Eastern Shore to the visits of an enemy. The companies from Baltimore were offi

15-v. iii.

cered as follows: First Company of Baltimore Volunteers (Company A), Captain, James E. Stewart; Benjamin F. Owens, first lieutenant, and Samuel Wilt, second lieutenant; additional second lieutenant. David P. Chapman. Second Company Baltimore Volunteers (Company B), Captain, James S. Piper; first lieutenant, Marcellus K. Taylor; second lieutenant, Lawrence Dolan; additional second lieutenant, Isaac H. Marrow. Baltimore's Own (Company E), Captain, John R. Kenly; first lieutenant, Francis B. Schaeffer; second lieutenant, Oden Bowie (afterwards Governor of Maryland); additional second lieutenant, William E. Aisquith. Chesapeake Riflemen (Company F), Captain James Boyd; first lieutenant, Joseph H. Ruddach; second lieutenant, Robert E. Haslett; additional second lieutenant, James Taneyhill. The whole under the command of Lieutenant Colonel William H. Watson, of Baltimore.-Memoirs of a Volunteer in the War with Mexico, by Major General John R. Kenly.