Page:Complete history of the late Mexican war.djvu/30

The answer was "Charge, Captain, nolens, volens!" As May dashed on by Ridgely, the latter cried "hold on Charley till I draw their fire!" Down the ravine they went. Lieut. Inge soon fell and many others; but the rest drove furiously on, crossed the ravine and captured the battery. Capt. Graham's company was with May's in this charge. General La Vega stood by his battery to the last and was taken prisoner by Capt. May. The 3rd were deployed on the right of the road; but met no enemy and not being able to get through the thick, dense chaparral, were obliged to return to get into the action and arrived after the enemy were completely routed. Duncan then took the advance with his battery, the Dragoons, 3rd Infantry and Smith's command being ordered to support the artillery. We dashed on after the enemy who were in full retreat, pouring upon them a very destructive fire. Our men soon came up with the enemy's camp and found it deserted and captured by the brave Barbour, who with his company of the third Infantry had resisted a formidable charge of cavalry. Mules, packs, provisions, and other trophies were left by the enemy. Our men pursued the enemy, shouting as they went, to the river. Many of the enemy were drowned endeavoring to swim across, and were scattered in every direction. The rout was general and complete, though our force consisted of 1700 men, the others being required to guard the train. 2000 of the best of Mexico's troops came over to join in this battle of the 9th, called "Resaca de la Palma". Our loss was three officers and thirty-six men killed, twelve officers and fifty-nine men wounded. The officers killed were Lieut. Z. Inge, 2nd Dragoons; Lieut. R. E. Cochrane, 4th Infantry; and Lieut. T. L. Chadbourne, 8th Infantry. The wounded