THE LOSS ON EACH SIDE. 131 while he directed the fire of another against some regiments of infantry, that, supported by horse, were emerging from the chaparral. Bravely did the enemy sustain the fire for a time. They re-formed the broken ranks, and attempted to press on, but the shells and shrapnell shot soon carried confusion into their ranks; their own fire slackened, while the iron storm that assailed them was resistless. Their infantry fell back, and retired within the chaparral, in the rear of the position it had occupied; in which movement it was soon followed by the cavalry, while night coming on put an end to the contest. During these movements, Ker's dragoons and the 8th infantry stood firm as veterans, ready to support the batteries; but were not called into action. The 8th was kept in column, instead of being deployed into line, and sustained a galling fire under circumstances demanding the coolest endurance. The fire from both armies ceased with the setting sun, whose last rays gave a light tinge of gold to the heavy clouds of smoke that draped the battle-field, like the transient fame that gilds the gloom of war. Many an eye that brightened with his morning radiance was dim, and would now behold his beams no more for ever. The regular force of the Mexicans in this battle was six thousand men, with twelve pieces of artillery, besides bodies of irregular troops. The Americans had in all but twenty-two hundred and eighty-eight men; yet, with this inferior force, the American general defeated a veteran army, with all the advantages of a select position. It was the first open action between the armies of the belligerents; and its complete success was a happy omen of the victories that were to follow. The Mexicans lost two hundred killed, and four hundred wounded; the Americans lost nine killed, forty-four wounded, and two missing. Artillery was the main arm employed, and the rapidity and precision with which the American guns were served, caused the great disparity in the loss of the two armies. Another cause of the disparity was, that the Mexicans directed their fire with the view of silencing the batteries; while the Americans directed their shot against the masses of men. But the chief cause was the difference in the abilities of the two commanders, and the bravery of their subordinate officers. Their men, with veteran firmness, withstood the volleys of our artillery, and, had they been led by superiors of dauntless bravery, though they might not have been victorious, would have rendered the fortunes of the day far different. Finding the great superiority of our artillery, Arista should have charged, with recklessness of the partial sacrifice, and by the very force of his numbers have overpowered his enemy. That General Taylor expected him to do this, is evident from his order: "He wishes to enjoin upon the battalions of infantry, that their chief dependence must be in the bayonet." By the light of the burning prairie, and the soft rays of the moon, the Americans collected their wounded and buried the dead; and after the excitement was over, sank to repose on the bare earth, in expectation of resuming the battle on the morrow. The place of the battle, Palo Alto (tall timber), is so called on account of the timber which skirted the further end of the prairie, and which, though of stunted growth, is tall in comparison with the chaparral of that region. When first passing over this ground, General Taylor had predicted, that the enemy would select it for their place to give battle. At the dawn of day, on the 9th, the enemy were seen retiring along the chaparral towards the road, as if to dispute the further progress of our army. Determined to advance and attack the enemy, General Taylor resolved to park the train, and mount some of the 12-pounders, which it carried for its defence. The wounded were left behind, to be sent to Point Isabel. The gallant Major Ringgold, who, while standing up in his stirrups watching the effect of his fire, had received a shot that passed |