Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-06-10

him. Indeed he has declined places o honor and Pront
which have been rendered him by his party He does
not belong 10 that class Of selfish politicians whose only
trade Office and when he has accepted public stations
il has been only from of duty which he owed his
country.
Tn Dec 1916, Mr. Polk rendered him seat in his cab
net place Of Attorney General Mason He declined an
appointment which almost any other than Franklin
Pierce, would have readily accepted. AT the sohcl'a
ton Of his New England friends the President appoint
ed him. in March, lS47 Brigadier General oil the New
England and New York volunteers
He at once proceeded to the seat Of war, and landed
at Vera Cruz in the month of June, ls47.
The main army was at Puebla awaiting the arrival OF
General Pierce's columns before advancing upon the
city of Mexico. General Pierce left Vera Cruz on the
10Th Of July. lS47, with near 5000 men, having been
delayed until time by the want Of transportation
During his march 10 Puebla organized opposition
was offered by the guerlleros although he was con.
stanty annoyed and harrassed from the TANKS, which
caused him some loss in wounded, but no delay The
bridge of Rio del Plan, noble arch, had been de-
srOyed, in the hope Of impeding his progress but lew
hours work sueed road down the steep banks,
and the river only streamet the whole column
and convoy passed without accident At Jaapa he
found difficulty in obtaining supplies, but the
threat of sending the civil authorities 10 the castle of
Perote prisoners had the desired effect and
the supplies were furnished
| General Pierce was met at Perote by portion Of
General Smiths Brigade who had distributed his force
along the road to clear it Of any force that might
attempt impede Perce's progress On the 9th OF
August General Pierce entered Pueba with force Of
2429 men, of all His loss had been principally
from sickness and the invads had been left at Perote.
The day after Perces arrival the army commenced
its march upon the Capital.
The American army arrived ia the valley Of MIeoex
on the 18th Of August and the 18th the battle OF
Contreras was fought and In this battle the gal.
liant PIERCE whilst commanding his brigade in danger
Gus attack the enemy, wounded by the fall Of his
horse which, stumbling in cleft Of rocks, threw him
heavily to the ground. His troops, during the whole
contest, were in the perious position, yet he
manned with them, Notwithstanding his wound until the
close of the battle.
The following incident which transprred during the
battle, which we copy from "Ripley's War with Mex-
co." will show where General Pierce on that occa-
sion:
Toward midnight the shone out for brie
while and the road by which the batteries had
advanced became visible. Captain Magruder then
thought OF avaing himself OF Pillows permission TO
tire, repair his losses and damages. Pierce, who
" although quite lame remained upon the field, opposed
Il for time, and it not until the moon was
nearly down that he gave his consent
The battle of Churubusco fought the Goth of An
gust General Perce's brigade stationed in the from
rank and the hottest of the fight, and tins
the troops under his command well those of Gener
al Shields, were in a most critical position, being oppo-
sed by force Of five one. But tina danger faced
and the American army again victorious.
After these battles the Mexieans proposed arms
tice, and General Pierce OF the Commissioner:
appointed by General Scott to negotiate it, The arms
tice expired the 9Th OF September. Hosites agar
commenced with the battle Of Moline del Rey. Gen
eral Pierces brigade stationed at San Borga, near
three piIes of and near the close of the was
ordered together with Riley's brigade to Moline de
Rev but before they arrived upon the field Moline de
Rey carried and the enemy beating retreat Gen
eral Pillow who commanded Pieree's and Rleys brig
ades afterwards ordered to send two regiments
the Moline del Rey the retreat Of Garland'
and Cadwalladerss brgades, which directed to ial
/ back on Taeubaya For this duty General Pierce wa:
with second and ninth regiments, and, al
though the guns of Chapultepec served spilenly
upon them, the movement accomplished without
loss.
General Pierce also participated in the Battle OF Cha
pultapec aud the battles the gates of The
City Of Mexico His superior officers speak in the
highest Of his gaantry After the city OF Mexi
taken, and negotiations for peace were going
General Pierce resigned his command and returned tC
the United States.
We have endeayored as briefly possible, TO give tn
reader few points in the life OF our chief standar,
bearer in the national contest Hereafter, shall
have 10 say Of him. Suffice il to say that in hin
and our candidate for the Vice Presidency, William
A King, the Democracy have champions whom thel
may well be proud to honor with their sufrages.
OF the talented and present Vice President
(by virtue of his office of President of the Senate
. shall speak hereafter.