The death of
Colonel Charles A. May, whose name was quite famous during the
Mexican war, has been noticed.
He died in New York of disease of the heart.
He was a native of Washington, District of
Columbia, and was a lieutenant of dragoons in the
Florida war. The New York
Times says:
‘
"At the beginning of the war with
Mexico he joined the forces under
General Taylor, and assumed command of a squadron of his regiment.
He took part in the
battle of Palo Alto, and was brevetted major for gallantry and distinguished services in that action.
He was one of the heroes of the following
battle of Resaca de la Palma, where he charged a battery of eighteen- pounders, leading his dragoons up to the guns, and sabering the gunners at their pieces.
For this he received a brevet commission as lieutenant colonel for gallantry and highly distinguished conduct in action.
’
At the
battle of Buena Vista, where he was wounded, he again distinguished himself, and the brevet of colonel was conferred upon him for gallant and meritorious conduct.
Colonel May resigned his commission in 1860, and took up his residence in this city, where he lived at the time of his death, having held for some years the responsible position of
Vice-President of the Eighth Avenue railroad.
In the old army,
Colonel May, or
Charley May, as he was commonly called, was very popular.
He was celebrated for his skill as an equestrian and for feats of horsemanship.
He was a popular hero in 1846, when the story of his daring achievement at
Resaca de la Palma was in every one's mouth, and pictures of "
Captain May," charging through fire and smoke up to the
Mexican guns, are familiar to all of us. He was a brave soldier and an accomplished gentleman, and his name will be associated in history with the most romantic incidents in the annals of our army.
