REPULSE OF CAVALRY.
MAY’S CHARGE.
BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA.
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.
