Palo Alto,
BATTLE OF. On a part of a prairie in
Texas, about 8 miles
northeast of Matamoras, Mexico, flanked by ponds and beautified by tall
trees (which gave it its name), General
Taylor, marching with less than 2,300 men from
Point Isabel towards
Fort Brown, encountered about 6,000 Mexicans, led by General Arista,
in 1846. At a little past noon a furious battle was begun with artillery
by the Mexicans and a cavalry attack with the lance. The Mexicans were
forced back, and, after a contest of about five hours, they retreated to
Resaca de la Palma and encamped. They fled in great disorder, having
lost in the engagement 100 men killed and wounded. The Americans lost
fifty-three men. |
General Zachary Taylor
|
During the engagement Major
Ringgold, commander of the American Flying Artillery, which did terrible
work in the ranks of the Mexicans, was mortally wounded by a small
cannon-ball that passed through both thighs and through his horse. Rider
and horse both fell to the ground. The latter was dead; the major died
at Point Isabel four days afterwards. See MEXICO, WAR
WITH.
Major
Ringgold Falling at Palo Alto
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