The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1848-01-05

! Stii, aulOI4St Tic foremost 10 tender 10 the
President four regiments of volunteers for
the service Of his country, and it was while
on visit to his homestead in Illinois, in
l64G, that he was rendered by the Prcs-
dent a commission of Brigadier General in
the United States Army. General Shields
accepted his commission, and rcsigning an
office ofhigh and important trust at Wash
lngton: immediately engaged in the duties
OF his new profession, and supcrintcnding
the cmbarkation Of the Illinois Brigade, then
in an advance state Of forwardness, he pro-
ceeded 10 the Rio Grante. Upon his arr-
val at Camargo, he was ordered 10 Join Ge-
neral Wool's command, then en- route from
San Antonia to chihuahua. He started
| Immediately, and with no escort but his aid
and servants he traverscd nearly two hum
drcd miles ofthc cneny's country, sleeping
at Mexican villages and ranches, and pas
| sing through bands Of hostile Indians not
| only unmolestcd, but treated with the res
pect ofan American officer Of high rank.
Upon reaching the cncampmcnt Of General
Wool, he was ordered to take command OF
the advanced column. 1t was on this march
to Nlonclovia that Gen. Shields first demon
stratcd those high qualities of soldier,
which has since cndcarcd him to the whole.
army. Witha indomitablc energy,hc push
cd forward his column, scaling mountains
and fording rivers, himself always in the adj
vance, and by his personal example, teach
ing the citizen soldier under his command
| that by perseverance and determination all
obstacles may be surmounted When Ge-
neral Wool's command joined General Tay-
lor at Sa'illo, he was ordered by General
Taylor to report himself 10 General Scott.
end was then placed IT command Of the H.
linois Brigade, intended for operations a.
ganst Tampico and Vera Cruz After the
capture OF 'Tampico, General Shields became
Military Governor, and by wise and firm
government of the people, and strict disci-
plIne forced among the troops. he soon bro',
good order out Of confusion and anarchy. and
Tamplco became one Of the best police ci-
ties III the world. 1t was here that he had
an opportunity OF blending and exercising
his rare qualities as a civilian and General
and the best comment of both are to he
| found III the admirable results, which in q
short time lie produced, and the high char
acter which, as man Of probi,y and talent
he then earned Tor himself, and the kindness
and regard with which his services are still
acknowledged in Tampico.
AT the scigc and capture Of Vera Cruz,
General Shields exercised his usual acti-
witty and energy of character, and among
other distinguished officers, earned and re-
| ccivcd his share of distinction
1t was, however, at the storming Of the
heights Of Ccrro Gordo that Gen. Shields
won his brightest military laureIs, at the
expense of a terrible wound, ofwhich he is
now lying in prccarious state at Jalapa,
the object ofthe deep sympathy and prayer
| full hopes ofthe nation.
General Shields was shot in the early
palt of the action, while leading the 4th
Illinois Regiment in charge upon six
gun battery, supported by a large body of
Mexican lancers and infantry. This bat
terry was the extreme right work OF the en-
emy, and the head quarters of Santa Anna,
as well as the depot of all their stores, Off
GERS baggage, &c. The ball, (Which was
either grape or canister) entered the right
| breast, about one inch and half or two
inches below the nipple, passed through the
| right lobe of the lungs and out at the back,
without: however, doing any injury to the
spine. He was at once borne from the
field by his friend and Aid.de- Camp, Mai.
Davis, and carried two miles before medical
| aid could be obtained. His wound was at
length examined and dressed; but the ply
sician expressed the conviction that he must
die. He was subsequently removed to ia
lapa, where he still remains. and strong
| hopes are now entertained Of his recovery.
The circumstances under which General
Shields received his wound speak in his
praise a language more emphatic than any
which can now be used. The battery is
at least on. mile beyond the pass of the Ger
TO Gordo 10 reach it, he had to lead his
command over three miles through the
dcnsest chapparal, without even the guide
of foolpath He was on foot at the head
of his troops, and had almost reached the
goal of victory, through terrific fire of
grape, canister and musketry, when he fell.
His command Immediately entered the
enemy's works, and drove the enemy be-
fore them in a general route. With the
battery, was also captured a large amount
OF public stores, some twenty thousand dol
| larc in epocia and OO0 pacl, ,o,,los bo