Page:History of the War between the United States and Mexico.djvu/137

Rh cut to pieces. The Mexican infantry gave way before the severe fire of musketry from the American line, but so long as their batteries continued to play, the advantage gained could not be improved. But one resource was left. Captain May was ordered up with his squadron of dragoons, and directed by General Taylor to charge the battery in the road. Ranging his men in column of fours, the captain gave the word to follow, and away they went with the speed of the wind. Halting a moment, while Lieutenant Ridgely drew the enemy's fire, they dashed on again, clearing the breastwork, and overturning the gunners at their posts, by the resistless impetuosity of their charge. The work was done, but the loss was severe. One officer, (Lieutenant Inge,) and nine men of the squadron, with eighteen horses, were killed, and ten men, and the same number of horses, severely wounded. When Captain May reined in his steed on the opposite side of the ravine, but six of his men were within call, the remainder having been either killed, or unhorsed, or separated in the confusion of the melée; with these he turned and captured the Mexican artillery, taking General La Vega prisoner, who had vainly endeavored to rally his men to the defence of their guns.

At the same time with the charge of the dragoons, the American infantry advanced towards the ravine, and, after a series of desperate hand-to-hand encounters, in which Lieutenant Colonels Belknap and McIntosh,