Samuel Ringgold | |
---|---|
![]() Samuel Ringgold by John Vanderlyn, c. 1825 | |
Born | 1796 |
Died | May 11, 1846 |
Place of death | Port Isabel, Texas |
Place of burial | Green Mount Cemetery, Baltimore |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/branch |
|
Years of service | 1818–1846 |
Rank | Major |
Battles/wars | Mexican–American War |
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, according to some records[citation needed], the first U.S. officer to fall in the Mexican-American War, perishing from wounds received at the Battle of Palo Alto.
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 acknowledgment[1] of his military innovations.
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 Port Isabel, Texas.
Service Record[]
- Cullum Number: 184
- Cadet at the Military Academy, Dec. 18, 1814, to July 24, 1818, when he was graduated and promoted in the Army to Second Lieutenant, Corps Of Artillery, July 24, 1818.
- Served in garrison at Fort Mifflin, PA, 1818;
- Served as acting Aide-de-Camp to Brevet Major General Winfield Scott https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winfield_Scott, Dec., 1818, to July 2, 1821;
- Served on Topographical duty, July 2 to Dec.14, 1821;
- Served as Aide-de-Camp to Brevet Major General Winfield Scott, Dec. 14, 1821, to July 12, 1823;
- In garrison at Severn|Fort Severn, MD, 1824,
- Ft. Monroe, VA (Artillery School for Practice), 1824–26;
- On Ordnance duty, April 14, 1826, to Dec. 23, 1830, and Mar. 31 to Oct. 31, 1831;
- In garrison at [http://fortwiki.com/Fort_Macon 1832–35;
- On Ordnance duty, Jan.14, 1835, to Aug. 29, 1836;
- in Florida War, 1836–37;
- in garrison at Carlisle Barracks, PA, 1838–39;
- At the Camp of Instruction near Trenton, NJ, 1839;
- In garrison at http://fortwiki.com/Fort_McHenry McHenry Fort McHenry, MD., 1834–43;
- On detached service at West Point, NY, June 17 to Oct., 1843;
- In garrison at Fort McHenry, MD, 1843–45;
- With the "Army of Occupation" in Texas, 1845–46;
- In the War with Mexico, 1846, being engaged in the Battle of Palo Alto, TX., May 8, 1846, where he was mortally wounded while gallantly directing the fire of the battery of horse artillery under his command.
- Died of wounds, May 11, 1846, at Point Isabel, TX.: Aged 46.
Assignments and Promotions[]
- Second Lieutenant, Corps Of Artillery, July 24, 1818.
- Second Lieutenant, 2nd Artillery Regiment, in reorganization of US Army, June 1, 1821
- First Lieutenant, 3rd Artillery Regiment, May 8, 1822
- Captain, 3rd Artillery Regiment, Aug. 31, 1836
- Brevet Major, Feb. 15, 1838, For Meritorious Conduct In Activity And Efficiency In The War Against The Florida Indians.
Memorialization[]
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. A song entitled "The Death of Ringgold," commemorating his death, was a popular patriotic song in the US during the war.
Cities and counties were named in his honor, including:
- Ringgold, Georgia (Catoosa County seat)
- Ringgold, Louisiana
- Ringgold, Virginia
- Ringgold Township, Pennsylvania
- Ringgold County, Iowa
- New Ringgold, Pennsylvania
Also:

USAMP Major Samuel Ringgold, built 1904. (National Archives and Records Administration)
- The Ringgold Civic Park[3] in Brownsville, Texas was named after him as well as Ringgold Street at the University of Texas at Brownsville.
- Fort Ringgold, constructed after the Mexican War in 1848 to protect the Mexican border, was named after him. It is located in Rio Grande City, Texas. The Fort is currently the home of Ringgold Elementary and Ringgold Middle School.
- U.S. Army Mine Planter Major Samuel Ringgold built 1904.
- Ringgold Fire Company, Pulaski, New York.
Family tree[]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Samuel Ringgold (1796-1846)". National Portrait Gallery. http://www.npg.si.edu/cexh/brush/index/portraits/ringgold.htm. Retrieved 2009-06-27.
- ↑ Lavender, David S. (2003). Climax at Buena Vista: The Decisive Battle of the Mexican-American War. University of Pennsylvania Press. ISBN 0-8122-1860-4.
- ↑ "City of Brownsville - Ringgold Civic Pavilion at Dean Porter Park". rcp.cob.us. http://rcp.cob.us/. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
External links[]
- Samuel Ringgold, Mexican-American War Officer
- Ringgold biography
- City of Ringgold, Georgia
- City of Ringgold, Louisiana
- Ringgold Township, Pennsylvania
- Military biography of Samuel Ringgold from the Cullum biographies
- Roll of Honor, Descendants of Mexican War Veterans
The original article can be found at Samuel Ringgold (United States Army officer) and the edit history here.