The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-03-24

want OF provisions no hardships to exasperae the
and yet the author OF this history counted the mrs
day inash from Madrid seventeen bodies OF murdered
peasants"
Such is war in the Old World God forbid that hor.
rors like these should accompany lis progress in the
New! No man who has the slightest knowledge of the
American character, believe that such atrocities have
ever been committed by troops. Where are the
burning cities behind u.s. The desert country before US
abandoned at our approach! The devastation and OPP
preston around u.s. marking at the same time our power
and crue,y' We can saw il in spirit of truth and
not OF national vanity, that such scenes have place
where our armies march Though my convictions on this
subject are as strong convictions we'll be- yet have
not hesltated to orfy them with all the information could
procure here have inquired of many gallant officers who
have visited u.s. what has been the conduct OF our troops
in Mexico; and have received but one answer and that
expressed IN the strongest terms, that no men could have
behaved better under the circumstances In which they
were placed. Such is the testimony OF General Quit
man, OF General Shields of General Pierce OF Colonel
Harvey, Colonel Moore, Colonel Garland, Colonel Nor
gan, and others name these Names because they are
known TO the whole country and those who bear them
have also borne distinguished parts in our operations IN
Mexico and have been the best situation to ascertain
the truth They have authorized me thus publicly 10
appeal 10 their testimony, and believe understood from
all OF them that they not aware OF an instance OF
private ASSASSINATION by American soldier IN Mexico
Offences against persons almost unknown, and the
Mexcans themselves find and acknowledge this foreign
armed government better and more equal than their own
which il has replaced. General Pierce Informed me he
did not believe that in the march from Vera Cruz to Pue.
ba damages to the amount OF five dollars were committed
and lett unpaid by his column OF twenty-five hundred
men, General Quitman was the military governor OF
Mexico and well acquainted. therefore, with IFS inter-
nal police, and he says sodiery as regular there
as in OF our cities. General Shields, in note
to me on this subject, says
In reply your inquiries touching the general conduct
of troops in Mexico briefly state that, in my opn-
ion, army has been distinguished for magnanm-
iy and humanity than for bravery In Mexico, this
has been freely acknowledged all occasions both by for
egn residents and natives No other army is admitted
ever behaved so well under similar circumstances.
Colonel Garland says:
at is scarcely possible that the army which marched
from entered the city of Mexico in triumph
people without its coming to my knowledge. Everything
taken the march and in the various towns occupied by
most respectable inhabitants have remarked to me that
they e. greater security both for Their persons and prop
they had formerly enjoyed for quarter OF century
Colonel Morgan, in a note, also says:
"The conduct of troops in the field having become
subject OF H. respeetny place our
enemies OF country whether made at home or ABROAD
sour people have greater to be proud Of the mag
after victory of their vaor during the battle Il is an
everyday in the field to see an American SOLDIER IN
he of battle knee down beside his wounded enemy
and give him from his canteeD, and share the last
morse of his biscuit with his PROSTATE Toe
city the same time history OF its piIlage What are
the facts in regard the storming of Mexico! Although
rubusco afterwards, the bloody field of Moline,
they manged and murdered wounded officers and sol
when feeble TO defend themselves,
ing this soery resented the baIbariy OF their enc
ny by protecting their property from the page OF their
own lepero5 g.,
lnnunerable instances might be given OF the iorbear
ance of our troops; but will give but one or two;
"A company OF the 9Th infantry, IN cutting its way
through a house. entered a containing open box
If god coin The American soldiers occupied the room
;t .sed through it, and IA dollar touched. On the
same night party troops discovered box OF gold
addressed to Mexican they immedlately reported the
fact to their officer and placed The box in charge of
lore pn m mister to be delivered to the owner This
tuct excited the astonisbment of the Mexican and in
public card expressed his admiration OF the forbearance
Of the American troops .
sOur army has ever esteemed generosity as nobler
virtue couage and if boasts AT ALL 1t OF Its hui
manly, not It's prowess"
These are bright testimonials. Honors thus won and
worn by our gallant citizens dearer TO their country
men than the glorious exerons OF the battle field or the
victories that have crowned them
Incidents, like these described by Col Morgan, have
been related to me by other officers and they better illus
ra,e the present topic than any panegyric, however
warm or any description, however graphic. Mexican
horseman rides over the battlefield thrustng his lance
through the helpless wounded cleaning with savage fe
rocity in the harvest where the Great Reaper himself
had passed and spared while the American soldier. in
the same scene OF carnage soops down, and raising his
PROSTATE foe pours the contents of his canteen into his
arched lips and recalls his fantng spirit to bless the
generous enemy This picture is, at the same time.
bright and dark one; but it marks, both now and for
ever the characteristics of the two armies; and COM
mend il TO all who doubt the humanity OF the American
soldier or the cruelty of the Mexican.
(Debate to be continually