At Palo Alto, while all the arms certainly did well, the battle was won almost entirely by the light artillery. The skill displayed by Major Ringgold, Captain [James] Duncan, and Lieutenants Churchill and Ridgely in handling their guns to the best advantage through all the phases of the action was highly extolled at the time and has been admired ever since. General Taylor reported:

"Our artillery, consisting of two 18-pounders and two light batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent manner in which it was maneuvered and served our success is mainly due."

Edward D. Mansfield wrote:

"The continuous fire of artillery disordered and drove back the enemy's columns. On the left wing of our Army attacks of the Mexicans were met by Duncan's battery and by other troops of that division. The combat on our side was chiefly carried on by artillery, and never was there a more complete demonstration of the superior skill and energy of that arm of the service as conducted by the accomplished graduates of West Point. He who was the life and leader of the Light Artillery--Major Ringgold was, in this engagement, mortally wounded, and died in a few days."
[Edward D. Mansfield.  The Mexican War.  A. S. Barnes & Co., Cincinnati, Ohio.  1848, p 37.]