In the course of the year 1845, the government of the United States
ordered General Taylor, with about three thousand men, to take
possession of the country lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande,
which country was the subject of dispute between the governments of
Mexico and Texas. General Taylor reached the Rio Grande, in April,
1846. Now, the Mexican government looked upon this movement as a
trespass upon their territory, and therefore declared war. Leaving a
small force to occupy Fort Polk, opposite Matamoras, General Taylor,
with the main body of his army, marched to Point Isabel, at the mouth
of the Rio Grande. Soon after, he heard that the Mexicans had commenced
to bombard Fort Polk, and that General Arista, with a large body of
troops, had crossed the river. There was great difference in the
strength of the two armies, but General Taylor was a very determined
man, and he said he would go and relieve Fort Polk, and fight whoever
opposed him. He started on the morning of the 7th of May, and about two
o’clock the next day, encountered the Mexicans at Palo Alto. A dreadful
battle was then fought. The Mexicans were much more numerous than the
Americans, but the Americans were braver soldiers, and they had some
fine guns, which could be quickly moved to any part of the field. While
conducting the movement of these guns, Major Ringgold, a very brave and
skilful officer, was shot through both thighs and fell to the ground.
To add to his sufferings, his horse fell on him. He was taken off the
field, and died, after enduring great pains for two or three days. The
battle was chiefly fought with the artillery. But at one time, about
one thousand Mexican lancers moved forward to attack the Americans.
This splendid looking body of cavalry, however, was driven back by
the dreadful fire from the American guns, and the whole Mexican army
retreated. General Taylor and his brave soldiers slept upon the field
of battle.
[Illustration: REPULSE OF CAVALRY.]
[Illustration]
[Illustration: MAY’S CHARGE.]