mind enabled him to keep in advance of his comrades, so that in the storming of the Bishop's Hill, he was the foremost man and the first victim upon the ramparts of the foe. He was buried where he fell -upon the loftiest summit-and the mountain that encloses his remains will stand an eternal monument of his glory-it will be known in history, and long frequented by his grateful countrymen as the grave of Gillespie."

Similar is the language of General Worth. He "eminently distinguished himself while leading his brave company at the storming of the first height, and perished in seeking similar distinction on a second occasion."

CAPTAIN RANDOLPH RIDGELY.

To those who are fond of tracing resemblances, one might be afforded by the similarity between the fate of Ridgely and that of Lieutenant Blake. Both perished by singular accidents, after most terrible conflicts, in which they nobly distinguished themselves.

Little is recorded of Captain Ridgely prior to the Mexican war. His splendid career at West Point served as the introduction to one still more brilliant in a foreign country. At Palo Alto he fought beside Ringgold until the death of the latter, when he supplied his place. The coolness of his demeanour and precision of his aim were the theme of universal approbation. "Captain Duncan and Lieutenant Ridgely deserve special notice," says General Taylor, "for the gallant and efficient manner in which they manœuvred and served their batteries."

Similar is the language of Colonel (now General) Twiggs: "The perfect coolness of Lieutenant Ridgely, and the great precision with which he fired his pieces, whilst acting in concert with the 5th, deserves notice, the last and most effective shot he having aimed himself."

During the siege of Monterey, Captain Ridgely was often employed in repelling the attacks of lancers upon different portions of the American camp. On these occasions he fully sustained the reputation acquired in Texas. In the street fight of the third day he united with Bragg and others in battering down portions of the cathedral and other buildings around the principal plaza. General Twiggs thus notices his services at this time:

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Captain R. Ridgely, with one section of his battery, annoyed the enemy's advanced works for some time in the commencement of the assault, but was obliged to retire out of range of their batteries

that were playing on him. Having used a twelve-pounder taken from the first work, against the enemy, till the ammunition gave out, he was sent with one section of his own battery still further in advance; but being unable to accomplish much against the enemy's heavy breastworks, returned to, and occupied with his battery, the first work taken from the enemy. Captains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg, and their subalterns, deserve the highest praise for their skill and good conduct under the heaviest fire of the enemy, which, when an opportunity offered, was concentrated on them."

"On the 23d the advance into the city was resumed the infantry working their way from house to house, supported by Captains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg, driving the enemy before them."

After passing unscathed through all the dangers of this siege, Captain Ridgely was destined to terminate his valued life by a trifling accident. He was thrown from his horse on the 25th of September, his head striking against a rock. He remained insensible until his death, September 27th. His funeral at Monterey was attended by all the officers of the army, and in solemn and dignified pomp as well as in size, has rarely been equalled.

Ridgely was a scholar as well as soldier. His address and manners were those of a perfect gentleman; and his whole person, though small and delicate, was most beautifully moulded. No man was ever more sincerely lamented.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRAGG.

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRAXTON BRAGG is a native of North Carolina, and entered the army as second lieutenant, July 1st, 1837. On the 18th of June, 1846, he was commissioned as captain in the 3d regiment of artillery.

At Monterey, Captain Bragg highly distinguished himself in the severe street-fights, and especially in the attack upon the cathedral and main plaza. No man was more exposed than he, and few batteries encountered so much loss as his own. High praise was bestowed upon him by all the superior officers.

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Bragg was among the few artillerymen who remained with General Taylor after the withdrawal of his regular troops; and there can be little doubt that his prompt and fearless conduct at Buena Vista saved the Americans from defeat. On him General Taylor leaned, when every other artillerist had retired; and he, unassisted by any save his gallant few, and the general himself, hurled back the thousands of lancers in the final charge, and saved the infantry from ruin. The following is an extract of his report of the battle :Finding, when I arrived, that the attack had been made and repulsed, I directed my attention to the large infantry and cavalry force which had turned our left flank and was still advancing. this time I saw that Lieutenant Kilburn had joined me with his gun. He had been actively and gallantly engaged in my vicinity during the greater part of the day, but my close occupation caused me to overlook him. Seeing that the force which had turned us was gradually moving along the foot of the mountain towards Saltillo, and was only held in check by Captain Sherman, with one gun, under the support of the Mississippi riflemen, which he had daringly advanced against at least four thousand of the enemy, I put my battery in motion towards them, and sought support from (253)

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scattered parties of mounted men in the vicinity of the train. About
fifty followed me. By the time I arrived within range of the enemy
-my movement being very slow, owing to the jaded condition of
my horses-I noticed the Mississippi regiment gallantly led against
a force immensely superior. Overwhelmed by numbers, it was forced
to fall back. I am happy to believe that my rapid and well-directed
fire, opened just at this time, held the enemy in check until Colonel
Davis could gain a position and assume a stand. Under my fire
the enemy retired some hundred yards, and I advanced the same
distance, and again came into action. From this point I several
times fell back, and as often advanced, regulating my movements by
those of the enemy, my support being weak and uncertain. The
effect of my fire was very apparent, frequently throwing whole
columns into disorder. Whilst thus engaged, General Wool came
up, and, at my request, ordered our cavalry, then some distance to
my left, to move to my support. I at once approached within
canister range, and felt confident I should inflict a loss upon the
enemy from which he could not possibly recover.
A white flag,
however, rapidly passed me, and I ceased my fire. The enemy
seized the opportunity, availed themselves of the protection of our
flag, and drew off beyond the range of our guns.

"As they were retiring by the very route they had advanced, 1 feared they would avail themselves of our weakness at that point, and renew the attack, regardless of our flag. I accordingly reversed my battery, and urged my horses to their utmost. They were so exhausted, however, that a walk was all that could be forced from them by both whip and spur. Several deep ravines had to be passed by circuitous routes before I could reach my desired position; and, as I feared, before I could possibly get there, an awful roar of muskery commenced. Knowing the importance of my presence, I left some of my heaviest carriages, caissons, and pushed on with such as could move most rapidly. Having gained a point from which my guns could be used, I put them in battery, and loaded with canister. Now, for the first time, I felt the imminent peril in which we stood. Our infantry was routed, our advanced artillery captured, and the enemy in heavy force coming upon us at a run. Feeling that the day depended upon the successful stand of our artillery, I appealed to the commanding general, who was near, for support. None was to be had; and, under his instructions to main

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