The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-26
WASHINGTON, !

WASHINGTON, May "a, Is46.
The brave little Army of the Rio Grande-Soms ae-
count Of Major Ringgod-Captain Walker--
Captain May, and some remarks upon the Patri-
otism of the Catholics Of the Army-Death Of a
SON of Senator Speight IN this City-Coiond Ben
ton and Mr.. Greenho,c-A little passage of Mr..
CPS letter e1piained-C City matters, &c.
The news from the army to-ngh,-fuly con-
frmatory of that of last evening-you will have re-
ceived through the extras" from the South. Ge-
neral Taylor has done his work handsomely. We
port of the great victories of our brave little army.
The gallant bearing of Captain Walker and
Captain May, both of this city, is particularly
gratifying to the people of Washington: The
sons of Doctor May, some five or SIX of them,
are tall and gallant fellows, TO man. One
of them was an officer in the Exploring Expedi-
ton, under Capt. Wilkes; another is the brave
fellow who captured the Mexican artillery in the
last engagement another has just gone down to
the seat of war another is one OF our most pro-
missing and popular attorneys at law The history
OF Capt. Walker, t i h hrssay ..
And perilous accidents by flood and 6eld.y
Having undergone, among other hardshps, the
battles the captivties, the famine, and narrow
universally regretted, being here generally
known. Under the administration OF John Tyler,
the Major was stationed here sometime, with
his flying artillery, and their afternoon exercises
on the plain, south of the Presidents mansion, af.
forded the highest evidence of their efficiency and
inmitable discipline. They would fire a broad
side unship their guns, lie down around them,
and, at the trumpet blast spring TO their feet, re-
mount their artillery, and fire peal after peal with
the rapid,ty of repeating pisol-then, at another
signal, they would remountth horses and scour
over the common-cannon and ammunition, OF.
fcers and men, with the rushing sound and speed
of tornado. The rapidty oftheir evolutons was
only surpassed by their regularity Of movement
the whole body operating together like piece OF
machinery. I'hose are the fellows that have been
operating in the chaparrals All honor to the me-
mory of the brave Ringgold, who died under the
standard of the stars II was the report that Major
Ringgold commanded at the camp in the absence
ofTaylor, which led TO the implicit belief Of the
battering down of Matamoras, and killing of 700
Mexicans-for after his training on the commons
of Washington, our citizens believed his flying
tlllery to be competent for any thing IN an open
field.
But we have something to say upon another
subject, and it affords us the greatest pleasure.
We refer TO the glorious and patriotic department
of the Catholics of the little army OF the Grand
River of the North. In a measure, they were
arrayed against their church but they were
sworn TO their adopted country, and nobly have
they redeemed their pledge. They rightly, con-
sidered that religious liberty was on one SIDE as
well as honor and truth to their word OF faith. Tho
result affords fiatterng illustration Of the patri
o,ism of our Catholic adopted countrymen. II
shows that they understand the true spirit of their
religion, well as the character OF their obiga-
tions TO the flag that protects them on the battle
field. and their children at home. We go indi-
vidualy for the Protestant progress but we go
for religious liberation, and Justice to the Catho
lies. From the revolution down, they have been
true TO the stars and stripes, and in this last trial
Of their patriotism they have stood the test like
men.
Recurring 10 matters at home, we have the
melancholy intelligence to communicate OF the
death, in this city, this morning, of Mr.. -
Speight aged about twenty-five. He died after
short and severe attack Of bilious fever. lie was
clerk in the Treasury Department, son oil SEN
aior Speght, and young man OF fine pro
mise. We had the pleasure of his acquaintance,
and next to his friend, Judge Meek, dld we es-
TEEN him as an amiable and reliable frend. IT'S
sudden deceasc is a severe blow 70 ms Iainer ana
family, with whom he was Justly INC OBJECT OF an
honest pride and hattering annoiPauons. a lew
bust and vioorous-but he is no moreno more.
Yo,, will Observe in the Union, that Mr.. Green
how l. de,ermined to hold to his position against
Col Renton. in regard to the boundary OF the
treaty ~ Utrecht. Mr.. Grcenhow defends his
nrer9;ses with boldness and promptitudc. Re-
herring to the letter of Pitkn, used by Col. Ben
~, - bis argument on Saturday, Mr.. G. dcnoun-
ces !, ns federal authority, and speaks like an old
rennblican of the last war, Of the Hartford Con-
vention. Now, be IL known, that MIR. Grcenhow
held his place in the State Department through
the administrations of Harrison and Tyler nnd
dubious, perhaps, that this fact may be empoyeu
against him, he declares his democracy by this
ingenious interlincaton against federalism. IN
this particular while he assais Col. Benton IN a
bold assault he throws the shield OF democracy
over his bread and butter, with the adroitness OF
an old diplcmatst. But we think tins very aitack
on Col Benton will save him-lst, because M
Greenhow was first assailed 2diy, because,