United States Army Officer. He was member of the 1818 class of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating fifth. He was noted for several military innovations and is regarded as the "Father of the Flying Artillery". He raised the levels of American light artillery using McClellan military saddle artillery techniques and demonstrated their effectiveness during the Mexican-American War. On May 8, 1846, at the Battle of Palo Alto, Texas, he advanced his artillery to attack the enemy while gallantly directing fire of the battery of horse artillery under his command. He was mortally wounded there, but refused to leave the field and his tactics won the battle for the Americans. He survived three days, during which time he debriefed on the battle, before dying from his wounds. News of his death made him a national a hero and the Army adapted his manual, "Instructions for Field Artillery". His father was US Congressman Samuel Ringgold, and his brother was Navy Admiral Cadwalader Ringgold.
United States Army Officer. He was member of the 1818 class of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, graduating fifth. He was noted for several military innovations and is regarded as the "Father of the Flying Artillery". He raised the levels of American light artillery using McClellan military saddle artillery techniques and demonstrated their effectiveness during the Mexican-American War. On May 8, 1846, at the Battle of Palo Alto, Texas, he advanced his artillery to attack the enemy while gallantly directing fire of the battery of horse artillery under his command. He was mortally wounded there, but refused to leave the field and his tactics won the battle for the Americans. He survived three days, during which time he debriefed on the battle, before dying from his wounds. News of his death made him a national a hero and the Army adapted his manual, "Instructions for Field Artillery". His father was US Congressman Samuel Ringgold, and his brother was Navy Admiral Cadwalader Ringgold.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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