The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-14
From The Signal.
GENERAL PIERCE AT CoNTRERAs.


GENERAL PIERCE AT CONTRERAS.
A writer in the Boston Times, Demo
cratic,) who was with General PIERCE at
the time his horse fell at Contreras, gives
an account of the scene, which seems to
be very we'll charged with bomb shells
and cannon balls. This writer furnishes
information that has not before to our
knowledge appeared in print. We were
not before aware that General PIERCE had
tainted any where else than atChurubusco.
But from his friend, who writes in the
Times, it appears that he tainted frequent
ly at Contreras. The particularly of the
writer's description induces us to give our
readers all of it that relates to the disaster
which makes such figure just now in
Democratic heroics. To the account of
the writer in the Times we annex an &C
count of the battle of Contreras from Gene
raj PIERcE's own pen, forming a part of
letter addressed to the editor of the Boston
Post
An order for "Perce's brigade to pass forward
to the support of General Twiggs," was followed
by an order to leave the 18th, under Col Morgan,
behind as reserve, and with the 9th, Cor New Eng
land y under Col. RANSOM, (who afterwards fell at
Chepul,epec,) and three or four hundred of the
18th under Col. Bonham, we got to Pedrigal, or
broken ground, as directed. This ground was
formerly a volcano, and so almost every sur
rounding hill but this pedrIga was the site of
crater and the present surface spoke of natures
commissions, now about to witness commissions Of
another nature.
The field of Contreras has the extreme Of the
Mexican heights-thelr lines of defence extending
to San Antoine, where General Worth had been en-
gagged since the evening Of the 18th, with very little
advantage. 1t was well chosen--vcry little raised
above the broken surface, and completely
handing it. Over this broken surface, without
road or path or track, had this brigade TO move
scrambng upon hands and feet sometimes, and as
no time able to keep any proper formation In the
middle Of this rocky ground was a patch, or
field, which The MeXicans had already cut down
for the purpose of more effectuay shooting down
our troops, as they took most particular care to
have their cannon already accurately elevated. At
we drew close to this fed, partially sheltered by
ledge of rocks, General Franklin Pierce made a
short address TO his tavorite 9Th, showing the
cessty of quickly getting across and closing with
the "yelIow rascas," that we might teach them
how 10 fight fair. | can pledge myself to the clos
ing sentence of that memorable address. 1t was -
Remember, the glory Of Ne,o England depends upon
you this day ~
Having finished thus, he plunged both rowes
into his horses sides, and jumping from rock to
rock, he was about to reach the corn field, when
his horse slipped his near hind leg in chasm and
fell, and falling upon the General, crushing him
badly. AS l had cleared the chasm, and shot
ahead, | Immediately reired in and dismounted,
and with great difficulty extricated General Pierce,
leaving the horse hounderng about. | assisted the
General, supporting him with my left arm and
leading my horse with my right, frequently re-
guessing him to allow me to let my horse go, for
he SHE'D every time shot shell would fly past,
but | received shake of the head in the negative
from the General, who, speaking for the first timc
said No, we will want horse between U.S.
| am not going to talk of warm climates, but
simply state 1t was hot work while crossing that
field. Once shell fell within eight ten feet of
us, and the fuse being long 1t wormod or screwed
itself into the wet and clayey ground, and then
bursting flung nearly halt ton of earth US.
The General at this calmly remarked, THAT was
a lucky miss" and manifested not the slightest
concern at the danger with which we were sur
rounded.
Having gained the opposite side, | laid General
Pierce down, sheltered by ledge remarkable for
the dreadful ammunition it furnished-lhe round
shot striking would send fifty fragments in all d.
rections; whilst the ball itself would rebound maxi
ing circle of half mile, and falling short OF the
troops who had not yet taken part in the engage
ment. Upon opening his clothing | found the
Generals breast badly bruised and his ankle frac-
tured. He tainted several times, and having pre-
paration in the pocket of my spddle, poured some
over his face and bathed his breast. | then left
him TO seek doctor, and found that the principal
part of the brigade had avoided this field and kept
round it, After while l met DR.. Richie, of Vr-
ginia, who, soldierlike had gone into the fight.