On July 24, 1818, Samuel Ringgold graduated 5th in a class of 23 from the United States Military Academy at West Point.

At about that time, (roughly 1825) John Vanderlyn, then working in New York City, painted Ringgold's portrait.

[2] The Army adapted his manual, "Instructions for Field Artillery" on March 6, 1845, and he was promoted to the rank of Major in acknowledgment[2] of his military innovations.

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.