Samuel Ringgold (US Army officer)

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Samuel Ringgold by John Vanderlyn, c. 1825
Samuel Ringgold by John Vanderlyn, c. 1825

Samuel B. Ringgold (1796 – May 11, 1846) was an artillery officer in the United States Army who was noted for several military innovations which caused him to be called the "Father of Modern Artillery." He was also, famously, the first U.S. officer to fall in the Mexican-American War, perishing from wounds inflicted during the Battle of Palo Alto.

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[edit] Early Life and Career

Ringgold was the son of Samuel Ringgold, a U.S. Congressman from Maryland. A younger brother, Cadwallader Ringgold, also served in the military, becoming a rear admiral.

On July 24, 1818, Samuel Ringgold graduated 5th in a class of 23 from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Artillery.[1]

In the early 1820s, Ringgold was on the staff of General Winfield Scott. At about that time, (roughly 1825) John Vanderlyn, then working in New York City, painted Ringgold's portrait.

Ringgold's significant military innovations included the Ringgold military saddle and artillery techniques. Based on his research in Europe, he rewrote the Army's manual for artillery, which included the tactical concept of flying artillery -- employing artillery pieces that could be moved quickly from place to place.[1] The Army adapted his manual, "Instructions for Field Artillery" on March 6, 1845, and he was promoted to the rank of Major in acknowledgement[1] of his military innovations.

[edit] Mexican-American War

Ringgold served in General Zachary Taylor's occupation force in Texas as a Major of Artillery. On May 8, 1846, as he and 2,400 troops were en route to Fort Texas, they were engaged at the Battle of Palo Alto by Mexican General Mariano Arista and his force of 3,800 men.

Arista's army was stretched a mile wide, making an American bayonet charge, Taylor's first option, impossible. Taylor, in an unlikely move, advanced his artillery to attack the enemy. The use of Ringgold's flying artillery tactic won the battle for the Americans. The Mexican artillery, heavy and slow, was futile in the thick steel-wool brush at Palo Alto. Arista ordered cavalry charges to flank the artillery gunners, but the American flying artillery was able to mobilize, relocate, and repel the oncoming dragoons.

During the battle, Ringgold was mortally wounded by cannon fire that mangled both his legs just below the crotch.[2] Nevertheless, he refused to leave the field during the battle. He survived three days, during which time he debriefed on the battle, before dying in Point Isabel, Texas.

[edit] Memorialization

Major Ringgold, mortally wounded at the Battle of Palo Alto

His bravery was a boost to morale through the military and the country. Songs, poetry, plays were written about him, including a mention in the fourth verse of Maryland, My Maryland. Cities and counties were named in his honor, including:

The song 'The Death of Ringgold', commemorating his death, was a popular patriotic song in the US during the war.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c [1]National Portrait Gallery Web site, Web page titled "A Brush with History/Portrait Index/Samuel Ringgold (1796-1846)", accessed October 19, 2006
  2. ^ Lavender, David S. (2003). Climax at Buena Vista: The Decisive Battle of the Mexican-American War. University of Pennsylvania Press. 

[edit] External links

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