onade was a theme of universal remark and admiration. Captain
May's squadron was detached to make a demonstration on the left
of the enemy's position, and suffered severely from the fire of
artillery to which it was for some time exposed.

"The Fourth Infantry, which had been ordered to support the
eighteen-pounder battery, was exposed to a most galling fire of
artillery, by which several men were killed, and Captain Page
dangerously wounded. The enemy's fire was directed against our
eighteen-pounder battery, and the guns under Major Ringgold in
its vicinity. The major himself, while coolly directing the fire
of his pieces, was struck by a cannon ball and mortally wounded.

"In the mean time, the Battalion of Artillery, under
Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, had been brought up to support the
artillery on our right. A strong demonstration of cavalry was now
made by the enemy against this part of our line, and the column
continued to advance under a severe fire from the eighteen-pounders.
The battalion was instantly formed in square, and held ready (p. 287)
ready to receive the charge of cavalry, but when the advancing
squadrons were within close range, a deadly fire of canister from
the eighteen-pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small-arms
was now opened upon the square, by which one officer, Lieutenant
Luther, 2d Artillery, was slightly wounded, but a well directed
volley from the front of the square silenced all further firing
from the enemy in this quarter. It was now nearly dark, and the
action was closed on the right of our line, the enemy having been
completely driven back from his position, and foiled in every
attempt against our line.

"While the above was going forward on our right, and under my own
eye, the enemy had made a serious attempt against the left of our
line. Captain Duncan instantly perceived the movement, and by a
bold and brilliant manoeuvring of his battery, completely
repulsed several successive efforts of the enemy to advance in
force upon our left flank. Supported in succession by the 8th
Infantry and Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons, he gallantly
held the enemy at bay, and finally drove him, with immense loss,
from the field. The action here and along the whole line
continued until dark, when the enemy retired