The Mississippi Creole. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1841-1851, 1847-06-12
General pillow.

tl5 puUlC1 tSldLlV6 70 the COHuuCt VI WuJOA
General Pillow, at the battle Of Cerro GOrdO.
The facts detailed in this publication, were
familiar to the community Of this city, for
some time past, as they have been the subject
Of remark by almost every one returning from
the seat Of war; and have been constantly ale
luded to, in numerous letters from Gen. Scott's
army, in much stronger terms, than are en-
ployed in the present address.
The statement now given by these officers,
is drawn up with great moderation Of language,
and confines itself pretty much to a statement
of facts, from which correct differences can be
drawn, as to whom the responsibility attaches,
for the repulse of this gallant regiment, and
the severe loss that it sustained, in the wanton
sacrifice Of SO many valuable lives. 1t appears
from this publication:
list. That Gen. Pillow deceived Gen. Scott,
by reporting that he had carefully reconnoiter-
cd the route, when, in fact, he was entirely
"ign1rant Of the ground" and equally so, OF
the strength Of the enemy, as he declared, that
from 'his Own reconnOissances,'' there were sno
guns, or if any, not more than one, on NO. 2,'
whereas the three batteries were ell armed
with cannon, and defendedby 5000 men.
Cd. That so far from leading the assault, his
officers now state, that he did not even toloW
it, and as lar as they are advised, never was
'%nearer the enemy's line, than the point where
! H. neo,C1t ~ Tiki d.. 80 -
actly tally with the oft repeated narration, by
Gen. Pillow, whilst in this city, of the fearful
effect, among his staff, from the first fire of the
enemy's battery.
Sd. That his whole proceedings, orders, and
the disposition he made Of the troops under his
command, showed the most lamentable ignor-
ance Of the very first principles of military
science, even by the gross error of "clubbing''
one Of the assaulting regiments, at the very
moment of making his arrangements for an
immediate attack!
4th, That he ordered the assault at a time,
and under circumstance which rendered sue
cess hopeless, and where, after sustaining a
dreadful slaughter, there was no alternative
but to retire, which they, however, did not do,
until every field officer Except the Colonel
four captains, and many lieutenants had fallen.
9Th. That instead of assaulting batteries
Nos. | and 2, simultaneously, agreeably to the
plan, he ordered the assault of No. 9 only, and,
'the order in which he moved the regiments to
a%ction'' prevented the supporting regiment from
acting. And Col. WynEoop's regiment, which
was to have assaulted No /, was halted until
it should receive orders to advance which or
ders he neglected to give, leaving Col. Haskel's
regiment exposed to the FIRE Ct all three of the
works, from thirteen pieces Of cannon in from
and flank, and fifteen hundred muskets at the
same time, playing upon this devoted and gal
liant corps, while the other three regiments, all
eager for the fray, were condemned to inacti-
witty,
1t is really painful to dwell on such circum-
stances, and we do not wonder at the anxiety
of the regiment, to make a full statement of
the affair, where, in a battle SO gloriously sue
%cessful in IFS general results, this corps, was the
only one, that experienced any serious repulse.
We have for the present confined our re
marks to the facts as given by the present pub
l~ication on the part of this regiment, but we
have various communications ourselves, from
first rate sources, in the army that we received
some time since, on the same point, to which
we may have occasion to refer,
The proceeding Of Gen. Pillow has led to
very injurious reflections on the Pennsylvania
Regiment under Col. Wynkoop, not only in
camp, but also through the public press One
of these publications is now before us, ii
which it is said "the Pennsylvania Regimen
could not be brought up to the scratch."-
Nothing can be more unjust, ungenerOus o
false than this charge, and the honor and cha
racter Of that regiment, will in due time, b,
fu ly and triumphantly indicated. Neithe
the regiment itself or its gallant Colonel will
quietly rest under such rumor.
A Court Martial must be the CONSEQUENCE,
Of this publication. Indeed, we presume Gen
Pillow, will, as a matter Of course, immediate
ly demand one, as it would be useless for hin
even to remain in the army, much less to returI
to Mexico, with such grave charges against hir
r uninvestigated.-Ne Orleans Bulletin.
The Pressin England and Ireland make hOr
, orable mention Of the sympathy manifesto
D in this country for the distresses existing i
Ireland. and como bnrdenad with nraatfnl re-.