Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/29

Rh wherever found, as carefully as our own wounded. At 1 P.M. our army moved on.



Capt. G. A. McCall was sent forward with one hundred picked men to reconoitre. He found that the enemy had selected a favorable postion and were waiting for our advance. McCall had a slight brush with them and returned. Our forces were deployed to the right and left of the road as skirmishers. Capt. Mc Call's command were ordered to advance and draw the fire of the enemy. The latter were on the opposite bank of a ravine concave towards us and their batteries were so arranged as to sweep the road and every approach through the chaparral. Mc Call received the fire of the enemy and Lieut. Ridgely, successor to Ringgold, was ordered forward with his battery. The battle commenced with fury. Frequently were bayonets crossed, they were in such close proximity, The enemy gave way slowly, but fought like tigers, for every inch of ground. The chaparral was so thick that our regiments were mixed; but fought not the less bravely. Ridgely at one time, had a body of lancers come done upon him, with tremendous force, when he had but one piece unlimbered. Sergeant Kearnes put a load of cannister on the top of a shell and fired which scattered all but four. Then Ridgely charged them in person and drove them back, exhibiting the greatest bravery.

Capt. May rode back and asked the general if he should charge the enemy on the opposite side of the ravine. 