ing. The force of the Mexicans, according to the statements of their own officers, was not less than six thousand regular troops, with a large irregular force, and ten pieces of artillery. "Their loss," says General Taylor, "was not less than two hundred killed, and four hundred wounded-probably greater. This estimate is very moderate, and formed upon the number actually counted on the field, and upon the reports of their own officers."*

The havoc committed by our artillerists, amid the densely crowded masses of the enemy was indeed terrible. When the Americans passed the battle-field on the 9th, they found heaps and groups lying piled upon each other, in every imaginable position, and mangled in every possible manner. The prairie was in many places dyed with streams of blood for several yards, and where the grass had been burnt, carcasses of men and horses blackened with fire and blood caused the hearts of the victors to recoil within them. The efficiency of the flying artillery, so remarkably shown in these battles of the 8th and 9th of May, became more and more conspicuous in the subsequent actions of the war. Major Ringgold, who fell at the battle of Palo Alto, is entitled to the perpetual remembrance and gratitude of his countrymen, for his exertions in contributing to bring this efficient arm of the service into so high a state of discipline.

URING the night the two armies slept quietly, almost in sight of each other. The night was serene and beautiful, the moon casting a soft light on every thing around; and but for the groans of the wounded, and the screams of those suffering under the knife of the surgeon, no one could have imagined the scenes which had occurred during the day. The first care of General Taylor was to visit the wounded, and see that every comfort was supplied. But the constant and well-directed exertions of the medical department left him but little to do-every one, whether officer or soldier, having been attended to with unwavering care and watchfulness.

A council of officers, held at night on the battle-field, having decided to go forward, General Taylor, early on the morning of the

POSITION OF THE MEXICANS.

233

9th, formed his line of battle and moved forward. Far in the distance was seen the enemy's host, moving slowly towards the chaparral which bounded a view of the eastern horizon. As the soldiers moved over the recent battle-field, many an eye was pained at the spectacles of misery lying thickly around. Where the artillery had performed its fearful office, men and horses shattered and mutilated, were lying thickly piled upon each other. The wolf and the vulture were revelling upon them, with whose screams were mingled the groans of many who through the whole night had writhed and moaned in the intensity of suffering. Arms, trappings, provisions, and clothing, strewed the field; the prairie was red with blood; and many a gallant spirit, whom the shock of battle could not daunt, felt sick and childlike as he gazed upon the wounded and dying on the field of battle.

On approaching the chaparral, General Taylor became convinced that the enemy had occupied it in force. Another battle seemed inevitable; and to prepare for it the commander halted his troops near a convenient watering-place, where they were allowed a season of repose. Captain McCall, with some light companies under Captain C. F. Smith, and a select detachment, was ordered to advance and reconnoiter the enemy's position. They numbered about two hundred and twenty. Captain McCall, with the artillery and infantry, moved along the left of the road, Captain Smith on the right, while Captain Walker with some rangers was thrown in advance, and Lieutenant Pleasanton, with the 2d dragoons, brought up the rear. Walker charged a party of Mexicans, killing one and capturing another. McCall entered the chaparral, and perceived other parties of infantry with some cavalry. These were fired upon by Captain Smith. On reaching the borders of a ravine, known as Resaca de la Palma, Captain McCall was met by a discharge from a concealed battery, which killed or wounded three of his men, and drove the remainder into the thicket. At the same time Lieutenant Dobbins was charged by some cavalry, and fired upon from the battery, and after a slight skirmish his men were defeated. McCall now collected his command, and placing them in a strong position, sent three dragoons to inform General Taylor that the enemy were in front.

The position chosen by the enemy for the second day's battle wa a most admirable one for defensive warfare. The ravine known as Resaca de la Palma, is nearly two hundred feet wide, and four feet deep. It is crossed at right angles, by the road to Matamoras. The ridges on each side are covered with dense rows of chaparral, utterly impenetrable to horse, and defying every weapon save the bayonet In the thicket nearest the Americans, as well as in the ravine below,

the enemy lay in double rows; and another line of them extended through the chaparral on the opposite bank. Three batteries were placed so as completely to sweep the road, their fires at the same time crossing each other. Through such a pass, defended by six thousand veteran soldiers, must Taylor's little army of less than two thousand men pass. In this respect, the battle-field of the 9th presented a marked contrast to that of Palo Alto, where, as we have seen, each army was drawn up in open space, and thus every opportunity afforded for maneuvering. We will find a consequent difference in the mode of conducting the attack-the engagement of Palo Alto being almost entirely of artillery; that of Resaca de la Palma, depended on other and more decisive weapons.

MOROS

Alta

Mag Meridian

Salt Lagunas

Custom House

Burrita

To Boca Chica

Rio Bravo del Norte or Rio Grande

were ordered to bring on the action.

Captain Ridgely moved carefully along the road, until within sight of the enemy. Being then met with a heavy discharge from one of their batteries, he rushed forward at full speed, until within a convenient distance, when the heavy roll of his artillery answering that of the enemy, announced the battle begun. He was seconded by the 5th infantry, and part of the 4th, and soon long streams of shot were flying between the armies, amid reports that shook the lonely ravine for miles around, and echoed back to the shores of the Rio Grande. A few minutes after, Captain McCall engaged the Mexican right wing. Soon the action became general. Through the smoke of battle, companies might be seen gliding like phantoms from one position to another, discharging rapid volleys of shot, or meeting the charges of cavalry. The artillery cut and mowed its way through entire regiments; and so terribly did Ridgely's batteries operate upon the lancers, that for awhile they were obliged to retire beyond its reach. So rapid were the discharges of the Mexican artillery that no interval could be distinguished between them; and but that they aimed too high, the American batteries would have been com pletely swept.

The 3d and 4th regiments were obliged to form in the ravine, in full view of the Mexicans, and exposed to their concentrated fires. Duncan's battery was on the edge, but in a position from whence he could not fire without injury to the two regiments. Still the action raged with a fierceness never before known in Mexican warfare. The best soldiers of the republic, most of whom had grown gray in her numerous wars, and who had formerly carried every field on which they fought, were now contending for mastery in a position. chosen by themselves. But at length superior discipline prevailed. Gradually, inch by inch, they were driven with the bayonet through the chaparral, an 1 forced to take refuge in a more distant position