Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-07-17
General Pierce's Battles.

A Bayou Goula correspondent of the Ne"
Orleans Courier, over the signature OF "One
who served with General PIERCE" details al
length the career of Gen. PIERCE in Mexico
and pronounces the highest euJogy upon his
gallantry, energy, promptness and clearness OF
head. We have no desire to question the pos
session Of all those qualities by the General
| He no doubt acquitted himself handsomely ii
every battle in which he actually took any part
But, unfortunately. so far from being sin all the
battles of The valley" as the correspondent as
serts, it is very questionable whether General
PIERCE fought in a single one. In confirma,
ton of this statement, we present the follow
ing testimony Of one who was present and saw
the facts whereof he t~estitles:
To the Editor Of the Republic:
S1R-lf you will examine the official re-
ports, YOU will see that General Pierce, though
present with the army in the valley of Mexico,
was personally engaged in not one battle. |
refer you 20 his " reports, III the message
and accompanying documents for 1878.
LIZ lCi alum WI "4th iH' AACiFN va Wv NN' W
August, (day before the battle Of Coatreras,)
joined bis brigade on the morning of 20rh Au-
Gust, after the battle of Contreras. and fell from
pain and exhaustion (same day before reach
inc the field Of Cheruhusco, and, by his own
official confession, beyond The range Of the en-
emv's guns. In the next battle in order of
time (NloIino del Rey) his brigade was not en-
gagged. 1t was ordered up, but, according to
(a, \Enr,b'- lo+tar in cyr 80 Gan Spntt'S
report, did not reach that bloody field until two
hours after the battle was ended and the enc
my entirely routed.
The next battle was ChapaItepec and the
caruas gates Of the city, on the same day.
(September 49,. "Pierce's brigade" was en-
gagged throughout the day, and with especial
gallantry and success, at CIapultepec; but
General Pierce himself was not present, being
Joined his brigade Zone regiment of it, at the
Garlta de Be Ell al four o'clock OF the morning
Of the l4th September. " hich was after COM
mjs~ioners from the city had notified General
Quitman, commanding at that garita, that San
Ia Anna had evacuated the city, and that resist
anre was ended. Indeed, all firing had ceased
the evening previous.
Thus it can be proved, by the official records,
that General Pierce, though present with the
army. personally took part in moi a single COM
bat in he valley Of Mexico.
Ii NAV have been his misfortune rather than
his fuu t; and the fact is stated not to prove
Gen. Pierce Il skuIher in epauleties, "a ease OF
hardly to be conceived but that the
claims put forth for his military services are
not well founded, and, indeed, not equal TO
what you accord to him.
will add, what seems not to be ueueralV
understood, that Gen. Pierce joined the army
for the first time at Puebla-l think the day be-
the first divisions marched from that place
for the city OF Mexico.
He resigned his commission and came home
n the first train that left Mexico after the oc-
'upation by our troops of that city-Some eight
n" Hine months hefOre the 1car rdS end-d.
OEE WHO "A AND Knows.