The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-07-28

this capacity he drilled in its ranks. When
the ;en.regiment bill was passed by Con.
gress, the President. who had served with
Mr.. Pierce, and appreciated his sterling
qualities Of head and heart, ten,'ered 70
him the appointment Of colonel of the ninth,
wi ich was promptly accepted When the
law for the organization Of the new ten
regiments was passed, the President ten.
dered Mr. Pierce the appointment Of brig.
adler general. This selection was hailed
in all parts of the country as happy one.
"From his earliest manhood" says the
Nashville Union, Sept. l847, "General
Pierce has been the boast Of the New
Hampshire democracy. From his father,
distinguished officer in the revolution, he
inherited all those qualities Of courage.
GOODNESS. and energy, which qualify man
for command. And he also possesses
qualities as statesman Of the highest
order. That he will distinguish himself
wherever distinction s to be won. his mul.
titude Of acquaintances in all the States
Of the Union. of all parties. will vouch.
The brave Ransom was of lis regiment,
and Colonel Pierce wrote to President
Polk and urged him to appoint Ransom to
the command The''Prpsident, however,
thought fit to do otherwise. His commits.
sion as brigadier general is dated March
8. l847. At this point General Low. a
patriotic citizen OF Concord. New lamp.
shire, as he stated in l847, on the occa.
sion Of General Pierce's return, asked
him if il were true that he had decided TO
sunder the tender ties Of husband and
father, and yield the enjoymenls and com.
forts Of home. to maintain the cause OF his
country. General Pierce's reply was:
81 have accepted Of the commission.
| could not do otherwise; was pledged to
do it. When left the Senate, it was with
fixed pupose of deyoiing myself excu.
sively to my profession, with the single
reservation that if my country. should be.
come engaged in war. would ever hold
myself in readiness to serve her in the
field, il called upon to defend her honor
and maintain her rights. War has come.
and my plighted word must and shall be
redeemed"
General Pierce's headquarters. for a
short time, were at the fremont House,
Boston. where, with his noble and gallant
friend, the lamen,ed Ransom. he engaged
diligently and energetically in the work of
preparation. There. as he departed for
the post of duty and danger. he took leave
Of many friends One Of them expressed
a hope that he would return in safety and
in honor. II will come back with honor
or will not come back" was his reply.
General Pierce sailed from Newport in
the barque Kepler. Many of the troops
on board being sick suffered from the want
Of water, having been placed on short al.
lowance. General Pierce. on receiving
his allowance, mingled with the suffering
soldiers and made them share his part.
1t was but the commencement of that uni
versal care Tor the brave men under him.
and Uniform kindness and attention 10
them, that was characteristic OF his nature,
and marked his whole course through the
campaign. He arrived at Vera Cruz June
90. Here he encountered pestilential
camp, and was himself taken sick. Sill
he was ever mindful Of his companions.in.
arms. He lent funds freely to the needy,
and was often seen among the wearied
soldiers cheering them on. In spite Of dis.
ease his loss here was but triling; and al.
ter delays to procure materials which the
future comfort. safety. and health Of his
command rendered absolutely necessary.
he lalt Vera Cruz IN the middle of the hot
month ot July, with one Of the largest re.
Inducements and most extensive trains
tha, had started for the interior since Gen.
Scots departure. His brigade consisted
OF the 9th regiment, Nv England men;
the twelfth, men from Texas, Missouri.
Arkansas, northern Mississippi. aud Louis.
lana; aud the fifteenth. raised in Ohio.
Iowa. Wisconsin, Michigan. the eastern
part of Missouri. and the western part Of
lnjiana--in all about twenty-five hundred
men. His line of march was bespt by
Mexicans and guerilla bands determined
TO- intercept all reinforcemen's on their
way TO the American commander, and do
the work Of plumber and massacre; and
the object Of General Pierce was not to
seek encounters with the enemy, bu, TO
present to his superior the greatest number
Of troops in the best condition that il was
possible for him to do.
The command had proceeded but fifteen
miles from Vera Cruz. when, near the
National Bridge. his frmness. gallantry.
and decision ol character were put TO
test. Ills force was there attacked by
guerilla party. lie gave an order to
charge upon the chapparel. Col. Ran
som questioned the expediency Of this
order. 81 have given the order : the gen.
eral firmly replied. The charge was made.
aud the enemy repulsed. 1.-THE National
Bridge he was again attacked by the guer.
illas, who had barrioaded the bridge with
chspparel. He promptly ordered the
troops to dash over the barricade and
charge the enemy. Captain Dupreau ex.
ecuisd this order. On this occasion two
bullets passed through the generals hat.