The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-07-25

/ of the brigade, as, though he now wore the garb
of the soldier, he was by profession methodist
clergyman. naturally expressed surprise to see
one OF his calling grding the sword believing it
more common for the clergy to reprobate war in
every form, and frequently TO denounce, not only
the politicians who cause il, but even the soldiers
who obey their orders and fight the battles. He
then said-"l was with my family q Baton
Rouge, when the news reached me Of General
Taylor's perllous situation. This was on FRI
day morning. II was reported, and believed,
that on. people had been murdered on our own
soil, and that our gallant little army and
its heroic commander were surrounded by an
| overwhelming force and should he be captured
the foe was barbarous and unsparing. These
facts made deep impression; could not dis
miss them from my thoughts during the day, nor
did sleep visit my pillow at night. Two gloomy
days and nights thus passed, and told my con-
grsgauon at the morning service on Sunday, that
| must leave them for time. That our country
men had been basely slaughtered, and the lives of
hundreds of others were in imminent peril their
distress called aloud upon every American to fly
to their relief; and that as good citizen, could
not rest as Christian minister. felt was be-
traying the great trust reposed in me, and proved
myself at the same time unworthy their conf
dence and love, unless l Immediately took up
arms. In times Of danger, no mans vocation ex-
empted him from the sacred duty of fighting for
the country whose laws protect minister and lay
man alike. My congregation thought with me,
and IN less than forty-eight hours 2l0 men We're
| underway
Grande." This gentleman was the Reverend
Captain Stewart, and will add, worthily does he
belong to the Andrew Jackson Regiment. He
was introduced to the chief of brigade, and in
| few minutes considerable audience of officers
and soldiers was assembled. The preacher came
| out before them with bible in hand, anu kneeled
| in prayer to the god OF armies. He then preached
a snort discourse, filed with the most impressive
! persuasions to religious and patriotic duty, and
closed with mastery portrait of the Christian
| soldier, which will long dwell IN the recollection
of every nearer. Many a moistened eye in the
power of his eloquence Here was a new and
| strange thing. The preacher had assumed the
sword, though he came not to propagate his faith
| and on the bank Of the Del Norte, on
that day, were recalled the scenes and spirit of
| the Roundheads who went out to battle with
| prayer, and whose victories were followed with
thanksgiving and praise. The course of this
"fi hung preacher" as he is iamlliarly called,
reminds one of the days of the revolution in the
old thirteen 1t is written that the father of the late
II. A. Muhlenberg an eminent divine i,l Pa, after
| having Preached an eloquent sermon, intoxicating
the precepts and practice of religion, closed the
services OF the day by appearing in the pulpit
with the ColonePs uniform, ordering the drums
| to beat at the door Of the church, and announc-
ing to his people that the Time for fighting had ar
rived. This II an became as distinguished in the
field, as he was eloquent in the pulpit; and if we
have more hard fighting, we may look for this
zen, in the foremost rank. After we give the enc
| my another lesson two in the art Of war, we
intend holding an immense camp meeting on the
plains of Mexico. Then listen to the voice OF the
Fighting Preacher" x. Il.
| CAMP LoMETA, July 9Th, 1916.
Movements of the Army-Dissatisfdctio among
the Louisiana Volunteer Celebration of the 4th
| of July Overfoto of the Rio Grande-M Marching
Orders. 4
| Several companies have recently arrived from
Baltimore aad Washington, and some from New
York they all appear in fine health and spirits.
There are now about 10000 troops on the borders
of Mexico, and on the way to Matamoras and its
vicinity. They are gradually moving, as circum-
stances will permit, higher up the country, among
the mo1ntains-where the health of the troops,
| at this season, is more easily preserved.
| There is nothing stirring within our range, and il
| is not likely there will be any thing before the
fall-by which time the troops will be concentrated
| some tive or six hundred miles in the interior OF
Mexico and if there is any fight in the Mexicans,
they will have to come up to the mark at that
PERIOD The Mexicans have been anxousy ex-
| pecting the arrival Of forces and means from
England and France but, according to recent
advices, that expectation is doomed to disappoint-
men, and their spirits are damPened accordingly.
They seem now to regret having provoked the
| United States into hostlities, and it is generally
| believed here that they will cry for quarter in a
very short time.
The letter Of Gen. Scott, in your paper, in rela-
ton to volunteers enlisting for specified time
say three months.has created great sensation
| among the troops in this quarter. If the fact is
clearly shown to them that they cannot be held
| for term longer than three months, many will
| leave this regiment, if not the service entirely
there being great deal of dissatisfaction among
both officers and men. A great number of the
| men in this camp intend, if they are dlsbanded,
| to join independent regiment, which would
undoubtedly be raised Immediately, to be termed
| the Rangers" and who would be at all times
prepared to give old Rough and Ready helping
hand. understand that Captain J. r: Smith, OF
| company +, Montezuma regiment, will, (f this
| company is disbanded,) raise an independent
company of horse ne is worthy man, ex-
sellent officer, and commands general confidence
| and respect.
| The Alb of July was celebrated here in a very
creditable manner. The day was ushered in by
the firing of cannon and musketry, and the shouts
| and huZzas of the soldiers. After the mornings
| parade, the men formed themselves into groups,
and whiled away the forenoon by singing national
| songs, discussing the latest news, and chatting
! over the incidents of lfe-some dreaming of the
| future, others Illuminating upon things by-gone
and many dwelling in silent thought amidst the
| friends and scenes Of their distant homes In
| the afternoon, after parade, an address was de-
vered by Colonel Johnson, which elected great
| applause from the multitude Of soldiers assem-
| bed to hear him. The Declaration of Indepen-
dence was read by Lieut.. Woods and MIR. Larue,
| Zone of the vounteers,) being called upon, made
| a few very appropriate and patriotic remarks
The day passed away pleasantly and to the salts
faction OF n. II was not less periodically cele-
| brrated here than in New York but in a more
quiet and orderly manner.
| The Rio Grande has risen some six feet within
| a few days, and has overlooked its banks in many
places, causing the destruction of crops and tim
Der TO a considerable extent, and rendering the
| roads between this and Matamoras almost impas-
sable. The marching of troops to M. has in con-
| sequence been suspended for two or three days.
Dayton's regiment left here three days since, for
Matamoras, and, according to all accounts, they
| had n very hard time of IT.
| p. San express has just arrived, with orders
| from Gen. Taylor requiring the 4th regiment OF
| Louisiana volunteers, now here, TO march imme-
dately to Matsmoras. THIS regiment comprises
the troops called into service by the first requisl-
| ton made 10y Gen. Taylor on Louisiana On their
regiments OF regulars, and proceed Immediately
| Dr.