The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-07-18

From the Trenton News
Gen. Pillows Defence.
We have received tn rough the poli,eness of friend
copy of Gen. Pillows defence before the Court of In
quiry We have read it with great interest and admira
ton, and we consider il triumphant vindcaton
OF all the who have distinguished themselves in
our war with Mexico, none has met with so much abuse
ridcue, and unmeasured injustice, Major Gen. Pill
low. Besides being OF talents and staunch
democrat he happened TO be friend OF the President
and he therefore marked by the ederalsls and their
organs as the uidim on whom back wounding calumny
might feed and fatlen with IMMUNITY.
Ii natural for Gen. Scott TO sympaihise with
his political friends, as II was TO indulge in petty
Jealous against the fame of who had played so
prominent part in the valley of Mexieo but it Ger.
tanly beneath The dignity OF the Chief IN command to
bring such serious charges. on such frivolous grounds
appear In the defence against the honor OF brother
officer and the sequel has shown that he. the great
captain of the age, is the chief sufferer IN this lamena
Bile affair.
Partial as to Gen. Scott and his fame. our sym
pathes with Gen. Pillow. And cannot but regard
his triumphant yndicaton against the nrgues and the
Vaccinations OF his prosecutors, the work OF etrbu
tive justice. He has been forced into the contest against
his ncna,ions and pressed into greatness by his
mics His defence proves him to be not only great
general, but shows him to the country at large
Of genius and logical acumen. We cannot but admire
the simplicity and the dignity with which he reluctantly
performs his unpleasant task.
The seven charges and specifications fly before him
like noxous exhalatons before the sun and though he
handles his prosecutor, the General chief, with the
Difference due to his rank and position. he by
willing tools of the prosecutor. Messrs. Trist and
Freaner are carried round the argument like the mulaed
remains OF Hector round the walls OF Troy. and
length left 10 the contempt of Just and rightly offended
public
In the pursuit of his enemies, Gen Pillow does not
forget his friends and we gra6ed to the follow
ing compliment paid to Gen. Cadwaader:
eff have been unjust any officer in my ofssss re-
port Of this action II Is TO Brgader General Cadw aader;
he may with justice complain that did give the
cessay prominence to the advantage of subsequent
tons resulting from his sezlng and holding the village
Ansada, and the able dispositions he made for that pur-
pose but, il have erred in this instance, have done
so designedy Al the time my official report written,
this matter had been brought clearly my parlcu-
lar attention lendeavored to do ample Justice the val
liable services OF this gallant and accomplished officer
my repoI, shows and am happy TO have the opportunity
my official report OF that battle, far relates the
vices OF that officer"
The official and private character of General Pillow
has been assaed from end of the Union TO the ohe
with the most relentless ferocity; and it is but just that
he should receive hearing widely extended that Of
his accuser His whole defence should be read, in order
to be appreciated and are sorry that limits con-
fine us to the following brief review of the charges and
the evidence evolved
"Havng thus considered the charges, and examined the
proof in the case, will glance rapidly at the results
AS 70 the first charge, the proof SHOWS that Paymassr
Burns wrote the letter which Is Its subecmaer without
II plains the analogy between the paper No and this
1.-The paper No Containing the interlineations in my
handwrting) is shown to be copy of my original report
far statement OF facts cOncerned fzYmaster
Burns having without my knowledge taken copy the
report from it wrote the Leondas letter. Hencs ms
analogy OF these two papers to each other and OF both
As the first specification under second charge is based
upon the as'nmption that the Leondas letter was written
by me, by my procurement, the charge falls to the
ground when this assumptions IS proven to be false
The second specification second charge alleges tia. the
that all the conrouted parts of that paper true Those
parts not c9n'rovsr1ed are Of course admitted to be- true
given precise orders for the plan of attack
tied into successful execution on the morning OF the Ah
August at Contrerasand that claim is false ard is de
lberae invention and aiterhought have shown that
my report does not authorize the construction placed upon
orders under which the battle fought upon the 10Th;
and that the Rositio' secured fhat day determined the VIC
claim that the successful assault morning in
1any with my original plan G bs, have
the high credit due 70 his sagacy gailan'Iy and general
and to Gen Smith the distinguished honor OF having
disposed the forces the psdtsai daygh. ns1,
ment, prudence gallantry, and skil to Col Riley the
honor due to his distinguished daring in directing and
the entrenched camp.
all its parts have proven my orders for battle and tho
disposition of the forces by many witnesses.
As to the fourth specification .have admitted thatl
said thought General Scott seemed parayzed in his ener
gies by his fatal error in granting the almistce and the
and disastrous loss OF the 9th September h
entertained that opinion and thought them and still tnk
was well founded bat did not say that, but loi
intel position, Gen. Scott would have assaulted
Chapuepec in favor OF taking position and
waiting for renorcemens There is proof to sustain
this of the specification except that OF Mr. Trs which
the testimony OF The prosecutor himself (by proving that
at his quarters between the 9Th and 18th OF Sep
tembeI, at Tacnbaya) shows was false.
I'm regard to the filth specification, have shown, by
comparison OF the language OF my official report with that
OF the charges that my report enirely nisconsrued
and does authorize the construction placed upon BY
this charge l have shown that my division. and the l
stoming party under my commando the only troops
who actually participated in sorminE and carrying thai
work. and are entitled to the credit oil its and that was
advance of my command in the assault until wound
ed have proved by the official reports and letters of Gen.
Scott well by many witnesses, that my official report
and have dsproved the motives attributed 70 me
thus specification.
" As 10 the sixth specification, charging that was in
favor OF the armisce until alter entered into. have
shown to be FALSE and that General Scott kneu whenhe
the charge That he had his possession both oa
and orten evidence of decided opposition this u
fortunate measure and that, by my opposition the IN
atuaon OF which he then chased the phantom OF peace
incurred his dIseasure, (and that OF Mr. Trst which
was the true cause OF our rupture. "A
+" In regard to the seventh and eighth specifications
have shown that the language attributed to me VI ever
made) was harmless, and does admit the construction
placed upon by the prosecutor That if true it imports
offence; and have actually dsproved the charge in the
eighth solicitation, OF trying control the paper there re-
erred to by improper means"
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