The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-10-01
THE UNION.


IN lON.
Brixadisr General Fierce.
The following defence of Gen. Pierce by Mr. Burke is
as conclusive as is severe We publish it with great
pleasure, justice TO an absent meritorous, and dstn
guished officer
To the Editor Of the Union:
SIR The accompanying vindication OF Brigadler
General Pierce from the calumnes OF the editor OF the
Philadelphia Saturday Courier, enclosed to the pub
Usher OF that paper Tuesday last in season Tor It's
appearance this week The number Of the Courier tor
this week has arrived but does not contain the vndica-
ton. In respect to this omission to do justice to an
eminent citizen and gallant officer, have only to say.
that before the matter ended the editor OF the Satur
day Courier will probably find it best for his interests to
make the most ample and satisfactory etracton OF his
libel upon General Pierce
The free manner in which have commented upon the
article in the Saturday Courier will find its excuse in the
groundless and character of the libel which
contains and in the fact that the editor, In subsequent
number of his paper, reiterated it. II the editor had not
originated it, but had stated that his information was
derived from Others he would have been apprzed of his
errors, and requested to correct them in spirit OF kind
and courtesy. But the wilful and premeditatng
calumniaor of gallant engaged i'll the service OF his
country three thousand miles Distant in hostile foreign
land, who may perhaps, at this moment, be slumberng
in the cold embrace of death, has claims to forbear
ing treatment. The Mexican guerilla is not much of
ruian at heart the assassin of reputation, who
ms his depredaions when his victim is absent, and
has not the opportunity to defend himself.
Please publish in the Union the enclosed vndicaton of
General Pierce, and oblge yours, truly,
EDMUND BURKE.
WASHINGTON CITY, Oct 1, 1s47.
To tie Editor ofMe PHILADELPHIA Saturday Courier:
SIR In your paper of the 4h instant, find the follow
ing article in relation to Brgader General Pierce, 81 New
Hampshire, now connected with the army IN Mexico,
VIZ:
'wHo Is BRIG GEN. PIERCE1
GEN. PrERcE-The statement in the Pennsylvania and
Other papers 'at eeh IN a o wars
and we believe an elder brother was in the lat war
AS there are many nqiiries by contemporaries and
others, the appointment ard military character OF
General Pierce marching to join Gen, Scott with
force rising $500 men, and there many also, under
the belief that Gen. Pierce is the who
manded at Fort Nlifn, inform our readers that Brig
Gen Pierce native of Hlsboro' county. New Hamp-
SHIRE lawyer of eminence and formerly senator in
Congress- the brother of COL Pierce, who entered the
army in 1872, and not only distinguished himself In that
junior officer, but in Florida, while in command
OF regiment Their father Gen. Pierce of the revou-
ton, who fought at Bunker HILL and in 1877, elected
governor of New Han:Psltire, {snce dead)
Brig Gen Fianklin Pierce was, when appointed gene
raj proceed Mexico ignorant of military tactics
Gen Caleb Gushing Of Massachusetts, neither of whom,
believe joined militia company, heard
the roll of drum except country militia muster Like
lShakspeare's Cassie,
A squadron in the field nor he division
OF u battle knew tran u spinster"
The appointment Of General Pierce solicited by
him. but by few leading political friends and for certain
political reasons with which have nothing to do; and
thus put him genteey aside, he was rendered the APP
pontuent of brgader general to join the army Of inva
sion in Mexico; but kecny looking to the uture and fear
ing peace (Which would dsband the volunteers,) lie
fused accept generalship unless he received with his
commission months flu pay and raions for man and
horse in aduance which, extraordinary it may appear,
and unprecedented in the army, granted and paid to
him before he mounted his charger received the sword
purchased for him by the ladies of Concord ~ H., where
he d practising attorney.
Therefre should General Scott be unsuccessful in Mexi
co. he will attribute his failure the appointing of inexpe
renced generals to command, willie such experienced and
officers in the regular army as Major General Jesnp
Gen Bankhead COL Pierce, COL Walbach, Col CroShan,
and others, stationed in the staff hone when they
should have active employ in the field where they could
good and their presence encourage the
noble deeds Should the with Mexico continue
other year. trust the Committee on Military Affairs will
bring the subject of appointments, important, before
Congress- that Immediate action thereon may be had which
will prevent hereafter auy iealouses regarding rank the
appointing of inefficient general officers in time of war"
The dsparaging tone of your article do not deem il
necessary notice, for the reason that it is not in your
power to say write anything of Gen. Pierce which
would injure him in the slightest degree in the estima
ton of those who know him. But, the matters OF fact
which you allege affecting his character honorable
man. do friend of his and in his absence, consider
my duty to notice, and to denounce them fab
rications, without particle of fact for their foundation,
disgraceu alike to their originator and to the paper
which has been used the medium through which they
have been conveyed to the public mind.
You alege, first, that the appointment OF Gen. Pierce
was solicited by him. but by few political friends,
and for certain political reasons which, you insinuate,
originated in desire their part to put him genteey
| aside" a .t4 s es tH
| AS am acquainted with all the circumstances
nected with the appointment of Gen. Pierce to his pres
ent position in the army, have it in my power to state
that, with the exception that his appointment was not
solicited by him, there is no foundation whatever in
of communication between the President and Gen Pierce,
in relation the appointment OF the latter and have,
therefore, the of knowing the truth OF what say
in regard TO the matter.
Gen Pierce received his appointment under the follow
ing circumstances: When the requisition made up
the State of New Hampshire for battalion of volun.
tees, General Pierce the first man to put his name
down upon the roll, and in the capacity of private He
did this an of patriotic duty He believed the ex-
believed it to be the duty of every patriotic citizen to
support the cause of his country in such crisis lie
saw the war denounced, own government malgned,
and the cause of the enemy openly and shamefully
poused by great party this country, whose orators
and presses resotng to every expedent to cripple
the Executive and prevent vigorous prosecution OF the
war-among other MEANS dscouraging enlistments. To
prevent the effect of such reasonable conduct so far as
his own State concerned and TO encourage the
friends of the cause of the country Gen. Pierce stepped
forward and enrolled himself private to serve In the
army in Mexico He made known to his friends that In
that humble capacity he intended to serve, he had no
opportunity to another The President OF course,