Page:Vol 5 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/374

354 At half-past two in the afternoon the Mexicans opened fire with their artillery on the American army, which was advancing by heads of columns, where upon the latter deployed into line, and Ringgold s battery replied with deadly effect on Ampudia s divi sion which was steadily moving forward in close column to form in line. Taylor from the commencement of the engagement maintained himself actively on the defensive and fought the battle mainly with his artil lery, his superiority in that arm being immediately

apparent. The American infantry, although posted at supporting distance, was kept in the rear almost