Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/27

Rh was composed of the fifth Infantry on the right, Ringgold's Artillery, the 3rd Infantry, Churchill's eighteen pound battery and 4th Infantry and commanded oy CoL Twiggs. The left wing composed of Duncan's Artillery and the 8th Infantry was commanded Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Belknap. Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries advanced and commenced firing. The enemy fired continually but not with much precision. Their cavalry move on the left and then three batteries placed in a line at a considerable distance from each other and bodies of infantry between, making a long line of battle. Ringgolds battery made dreadful havoc, cutting down almost whole platoons at once. The two eighteen pounders roared tremendously and the cavalry of the enemy soon began to retire, at first in a trot and then in a gallop. A movement of the enemy's flank, composed of Cavalry one thousand strong, endangered our train and was promptly met by a section of Ringgold's battery under Lieut. Ridgeway and the fifth and third Infantry. They were received by 5th in a square and twenty of them were killed from the fire of an angle. When the enemy saw the 3rd Infantry advancing in column by division, they fled with rapidity. On the left Duncan cut them down in great numbers and the shout of our men could be heard above the cannon's roar. Our left wing, particularly the 8th Infantry, suffered from the fire of the enemy, being in a column instead of being deployed in a line. In the midst of the battle the prairie took fire and enveloped the armies in smoke. The firing commenced at 3 P. M. and ceased for a time at 4 P. M. Then Ringgold's battery and the eighteen pounders were pushed round to the left flank of the enemy and the 4th Infantry and 1st Brigade moved up to their aid. the firing soon commenced