The next day after the battle of Palo Alto, General Taylor moved
forward towards Fort Polk. He could hear the sound of the bombardment,
and he was anxious to relieve the small garrison he had left in the
fort. He soon came up with the Mexicans again. They had received more
troops and had taken a strong position. It was a place called Resaca
de la Palma, or the Palm Ravine. General Taylor did not hesitate to
attack them. He and his men were confident that they could beat many
times their number of Mexicans. The victory at Palo Alto had assured
them of a victory wherever they should meet a foe. The flying artillery
was brought into service and poured quick and murderous discharges into
the Mexican ranks. Then Captain May, with his dragoons charged down the
ravine, through the bushes, and over the guns of the enemy, cutting
down all who came within reach of their sabres. General La Vega fell
into their hands. The Mexicans continued the fight even after they had
lost their cannon, but the Americans soon cleared the field at the
point of the bayonet, and then pushed on to Fort Polk.
[Illustration: SIEGE OF MONTEREY.]
[Illustration: GENERAL TAYLOR.]