The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-27

PIERCE and forgetting his physical pains ia the exua-
ton OF his spirits he horned TO JON IN the pursuit OF Tue
already hyng foe Arrived al the town OF San Angel,
some miles from tbe field OF Conreras, halt was d.
ecled in order refresh the troops and prepare them Tor
the great struggle Of The day. YET 10 come m which nun
dreds OF gallant fellows flushed with the mornings
Victory destined TO find their next Iepose IN the
sleep 81 death. The General even now paying the
penalty OF his over-exeron and excitement IN The Pur-
suit and his aid Lieutenant lnow BTeye MaIor)
Fitzgerald and myself both urged him 10 20 no luther,
as he would later be forced to yield 10 pbys-
cal weakness and pain little further on, and at the
church OF Coayocan, where the Commander-n- chief
habially held himself during the battle OF Churubssco,
casually encountered that officer who, having been in
formed OF Gen Perces mishap OF the evening before. and
seeing the difficulty with which be kept the held, kindly
added the weight OF his influence and authority 10 the m-
porlunes OF Lieutenant Fitzgerald and myself, IN order
% dissnafe Gen Pierce from going into The action, now
already commenced The General, however, was i'm
movable in his determination TO lead his brigade into the
engagement and the he offered for so doing Were
too orcbe and TOO consonant with the solder feelings
oil those who surrounded him 10 admit oil any further re-
monsrance or exposiulaon From this Time was sep
arated from him until the battle and cannot
therefore speak, OF my own personal ledge, OF what
bete him. how he depored himself in the memo
rabe conflict OF that day He accompanied the two regi
nens OF his brigade then al hand (he 18th and l5h IN
an operation which had for lis object the turning OF the
enemys position and the interceptng OF his retreat To-
ward the capital, whilst was sent for the 9th New
Engand regiment which, together with section OF the
mountain howzer battery, had been previously posted
of the roads leading from San Angel TO The city,
but ordered 10 join the brigade. Agreeaby 10
my Instructions hurried in this detachment. and
rived position occupied by Shields and Pierce's
troops, at moment when no little confusion pre-
vailed in their ranks, owing TO a calling flank and
reverse hre which they were then receiving from the
enemy. Seeing no one on the ground at the moment
authorized to give instructions relative to the troops
had brought, took the responsibility Of posting them,
IN the Generals name perpendicular TO the left of Gen.
Shieldss line, in order 10 show front 10 the enemy hoy
ering left flank. Having made this disposition Of
The New England regiment, remained with it until the
close OF Inc battle am thus minute IN these partlcu-
al, hp., ha
General Pierce during the entire engagement. well
to explain certain passages OF his official report which
might otherwise appear unsatisfactory In the mean
tme have il from several reliable sources that General
Pierce was the field and was much exposed any
other man in III though unfortunately for h and for his
command, he was unable to participate actively in the
struggle. Lieut. Fitzgerald, than whom more gallant sol
der and chvarc gentleman does not exist informed me-
Immediately after the battle. that he was continually by
the side OF the General except when carrying his orders
to the troops; and that owing to the difficulties OF the
ground over which he had to struggle, lit being soft and
yielding, and cut up by many broad and deep dches IN
his then weak and bruised condition, he finally fell faint
and completely exhausted, within the range OF the
mys muskey the side and his cavalry escopetas
the Others thus showing that if be had intended to
avoid the dangers of the held he made most unfou
nate selection OF hiding place; Tor the ground on which
he is said to have fallen is dead level and inca
pable OF aHordng the least shelter from the crossire
which raked nearly every foot of It's surface.
SO much, then, for this fainiing fit which the
mics OF Gen Pierce gloat with such evident satisfaction
He who could find 10 such an incident, occurring under
such circumstances anything TO the prejudice of mans
courage, must himself be poToon OF the most despca
bic character In point OF fact the first and only in
Mexico that heard aude TO this affair." 10 the dis
paragenent OF Gen. Fierce, was just such person as is
here supposed and the FIRST reference TO in this coun
try which came TO my notice, made by the editor
correspondent OF contemplate and scurrous print not
Thousand miles from your ciy-one, indeed which Is
1t the least influence in the community in which lis vile
sheets find limited circulation. were IL not that it's low
abuse and nbad iess lind occasional vehicle in the
teas mi
ing journals.
General PIERCE as well known was selected by the
General nchei of the commissioners 10 settle the
terms Of the armistice which proposed Immediately
after the balte OF Churubuscoan evidence OF the
hdence which General Scott had in his abilities, diplo-
matc as well as military. In this connexon il may not
be out OF place TO state that General Pierce entered
heartily into the of the Generaln chief for the
speedy termination Of the war. Having Interior OBJ
1ects 10 gam by factious and ll-med opposition TO
the views and acts oil his commanding officer he exered
himself like true patriot and soldier TO give them the
effect Intended. whatever might be said TO their ex
pedieDcy. doubt not but General Scott himself would
bear willing testimony 10 this fact il could not have
escaped his notice.
All Moline del Rey General Pierce rendered good ser
vice IN relieving Worths division aer the long and
guinary conflict maintained BY that gallant corps. His
brigade posted some miles of when the action began
but arrived IN time TO take The place OF Worths troops
and bring off their killed and wounded from under the
guns OF Chepultepec and the fire OF the enemys
kerry posted IN the wood behind the mills His gallant
bearing on this occasion attracted particular attention
ary of him who is the subject OF this communca
ton, he being confined to bis bed from indspos
ton on the day Of the battle OF Chepultepec and the Gar
asthe last general engagement which took place in the
valley OF Mexico. Having remained in the capital until
there was no longer any prospect Of resumption OF hos
tlities, he left the country December for the United
States, and repaired TO his home in New Hampshire
where he welcomed as the cherished and favorite
son OF the Granite State"
To claim for Gen Pierce the title OF great military
cbefian would be 10 ask for him than pos.
-ble that man, with the military capacity OF Napo-
leon even, could in short military career and
much more than he ever dreamed oil claiming for him
self. There is more sensible than himself OF a
truth which bat too little appreciated in this country
namely, that war science which, considered 10 all
It's various and complex details and combinations is thor
oughly understood but by very small psron OF
those who have made il their profession and have passed
the best part OF their lives in the camp. Gen Perca
never for moment altered himself that military rank
OF necessity confers corresponding military Qualihca
tions-an illusion but too common among those who
have been newly invested with it, He frankly and hon
esty acknowledged his comparative ignorance and IN
experience in military maers, and. like the gallant
and lamenied General Hamer, ready TO lis
they might By adopting 90 wise and sensible
course as this, bis clear and comprehensive intellect
enabled him 10 suImount whatever difficulties he had
70 encounter in his and responsible position and
though he could not expect IN the short space oil
months, with the opportunities be had. TO become model
commander, yet be must have had the satisfaction OF
knowing that he bad done his duty. both himself and
10 his country and that, far military reputation
concerned he would suffer nothing in this respect by
comparison with any other officer OF the same rank and
length Of service 10 the army, But the chei merit OF