The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-08-12
number 43.

appearance as he rode at the head of that noble
brigade destined to suffer so terribly in the af-
ternoon. He was exceedingly thin, worn down
by fatigue and pain of the day and night before
and then evidently suffering severely. Still
there was a glow in his eye as the cannon boor1-
ed, that showed within him a spirit ready for
the conflict
The brigade was soon formed on the west side
of the plaza of Coyacon, opposite to the church.
was familiar with all the roads and paths in
that neighborhood, and informed Gen Scott
who was in his saddle, under tree near the
Church, from which he was issuing orders to
different members of his sstaff-that | knew .
route by which the enemy could be attacked In
the rear. Having decided at once to sesd
Pierce's brigade, and support it By other troops
that might be at his command, he despatc..Sd
me to call Gen. Pierce. did so /; and when
did so !; and when he rode up, conversation.
IN substance, and as near as can recollect IL
the following words took place:
Gen. Scott said, t'Pierce, my dear fellow, you
are badly injured; you are not fit to be in your
saddle" eyes, am" said Pierce, ''ia case
like this" Gen. Scott said, s'It is ternsrity, va
shall loose you, and cannot spare you. ough.
to order you back to st. Augustine. You car
not touch your foot TO the stirrup." 81 can,
one of them" sad Pierce, sand that is enossh
for to-day. This viii be the last great fight, end
L must lead my brigade.n The order was then
given, acting as guide by the direction of Gen
Scott, Maj. Lee, Of the Engineer Corps, accom-
panying the command. The brigade moved
rapidly forward for about mile, when we came
to ditch, recollect, ten or twelve feet vide.
and six or eight deep Pierce was lifted from
his saddle, and as if he could tread upon i'm
possibilities, he led the brigade, then under Ere,
in his crippled condition, for considerable dis
tance ON foot, when he fell from exhaustaton
and suffering, too great even for his energies
He refused to be carried from the field, and Tenas-
ed until the final roa. Of the enemy, More infer
t6ie determination and daring. courage, do not BE-
here ,oas erer erhi5:ted upon a battle field
On the night before the battle of Molino De-
Rey, Gen. Pierce's brigade was at the Haciends
of San BorJia about one mile from .Tabobays,
where it had been held from earliest dawn under
arms. You know how Gen. Worth's most gal
liant division suffered The carnage on the field
was dreadful. Gen. Scott despatched me to &C.
company my friend Major Gaines with an order
for Pierce to advance. They were ready on the
instant, and moved rapidly forward. was on
the field and witnessed Pierce's fine movement
upon the Kings Mill, to relieve Garland, who
had been fighting till that hour. He advanced
with the 9Th Infantry (and as recollect, I'd Ar
tillery not of his brigade proper.) The enemy.
whose fire had nearly ceased, upon the move
ment of these new regiments, reopened with
round shot and she'll from Chepultepec. 1 well
remember that the bay horse that the General
took from the States, became under fire, difficult
to manage and was well nigh plunging over
precipice close by the Kings Mill at the Bridge,
In consequence on the bursting of a shell but
few feet from him Nothing could have been
more cool aud admirable than this whole move
ment.
made the acquaintance of General Pierce
thousands of miles from our native land, under
circumstances that stried mems souls" found
him there, what all know him to be here, and l
cannot withhold this act of justice from one,
who has as brave heart, and as self-sacrifctng
a spirit, as ever warmed true mans BOSOM
I know Gen. Pierce needs no vindication of his
military conduct. His merit in this respect is
proclaimed by the united voice of officers and
men-those who participated and who know
But at the same time he may not be displeased
with these hasty "reminiscences from me. Ihsve
been SO long from the country, that l feel but
little interest in mere party conflicts.
Your obedient servant,
NOAH E. SMITH