Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-10-11

moved our feelings IN more IMAM one way.-fat.
Inteiigeneer.
[The following excellent description of General
Scorr's entrance into the city of Mexico, IS from the
pen of an eyewitness, Mr.. Warland, now the Edi-
tor of the Lowell Journal, who served in the Mex
/ lean campaign. 1t appeared in that paper OH the
anniversary of the day.]
General Seotts triumphant entry into the City Of
Merieo as d Comprehensive departure from, It as
Prisoner. f-E ~-gs4F
Five years ago this morning, Gen. Scorr, at the
head of his brilliant Staff, made his triumphant en-
try into the ancient Capital of the Aztecs. He had
already entered portion of the troops to the Grand
Plaza, and as, at little after nine o. clock, he rode
up from the western garita among them, in full
uniform, and mounted OH his splendid charger, the
spectacl. was one of deep and thrilling interest TO
every American. The stars and stripes float to
the breeze from the National Palace. The old Ca
thedral doomed magnifcently up on one side of the
square, and from the balconies of the old Cortez
| ediices on the other, the Spanish and Mexican
| girls were to their white handkerchieis
emblems Of peace, and silent petitioners for favor
from the advancing conqueror Beneath the pillars
of the bazaar, and under the shadow OF the Cathe-
dral, might be seen grim Mexicans scowling from
| their Serapes and beneath their broad sombreros-
wondersruck at the idea of their beautiful capital
of 250,000 souls having thus suddenly fallen into
the hacds of less than 5000 American troops.
| AS the General rode through the Grand Plaza
amid the Yankee blue blankets drawn up i'll perfect
thundeTs but the day before were heard with such
fearful effect at Chaputepec, ranged here and there,
all discipline for the moment seemed to be forgot
ten by the gallant soldiers.
They loved their chef almost to adoration.-
They had been with him in his perilous march from
Vera Cruz, and had followed him into the blaze of
every victorious battlefield and now on this morn
ing to see him triumphanty entering the enemys
capital, their hearts thrilled with joy aud exulta-
ton. Throwing off all restraint, as the old hero
came forward upon his prancing steed, the hearty
huzzas and cheers rent the air, long and loud. As
the General took OF his cap, IN acknowledgement
of the cordial greeting from his victorious men, one
of the bands struck up our national air and again,
and louder than before, the huZZas broke from the
lips the exultant troops. Gen Scott dismount-
ing at the gate of the National Palace, entered the
grand hall or saloon, from whence the edicis oil
Viceroys and Governors and Presidents for ccnlu-
ries had been issued, and Immediately wrote an or
der announcing his occupancy of the Mexican Cap
ital. In That announcement, copy OF which Is
before us, he says, and beautifully says: 'Under
the favor of God the valor nj the army, after many
glorious victories, has hoisted the colOrS OF our
county in the Capital of Mexico, and on the Pal
ace OF its Government. The honor oil the army anu
the honor of our country call for the best behavior
on the part of ALL The valiant must, 10 obtain the
APPRECIATION of God and country, be sober orderly,
and merciful. His noble brethren in arms will
not be deaf 10 this appeal from their commander and
friend" -----. =r.s.-
On the afternoon of the same day, General Scott
again addressed the troops III these words: "fhe
General in Chief calls upon his brethren il arms
to return, both i'll public and private worship,
thanks and gratitude to God for the signal trumphS
which they have recently achieved Tor their coun-
try Beginning with the 10Th Of August and end
ing the l4th inst this army has CALAMITY Fought its
way through the fields and forts OF ContIeras, San
Antonio, Churubusco, Molno del Rey, Chapultc-
pee, and the gates of San Cosmc and Tacubaya,
into the capital of Mexico. When the very limited
numbers who have performed such brilliant deeds
shall have become known, the world will be aston
isliei and our count!ymcn filled with Joy and adj
mration."s @ s1.g- ssa.
Insuch fitting language did the victorious
aucror address the men under his command upon
his triumphant entry into the Mexican capital
How well his words were needed, and with what
devotion and patriotism he proceeded at once to the
work OF securing the great object OF his mission
an honorable peace-lS known to the nation and
the world. There never was an army whose bear
ing and conduct i'll conquered country reflected
such honor upon itself or upon It's own country as
the American army in Mexico. Upon its entrance
into the capital the Republic had no Government,
and il therefore became the first duty OF Gen. Scott
TO give the people an administration which should
protect them their rights oil property ana III their
religious obServanccS.
Here it was that the victorious Chief displayed
those high civil and administrative talents which
won the admiration of the whole army, and prov
ed his unqucstionabe claim TO the possession of the
soldier. We shall not 4 aon the administra-
ton OF Affairs during Gel occupancy of the
city of Mexico, further TN Fay that it was bril-
liant, and in all respects successful. Through his
dcvOtion perseverance, aiid lnccSSaIl laDoS, peace
also hnally secured. b..
We have briefly sketched the Conqucror's til
umpiant cntranccsin o-thc National Palace, on
the morning of the l4ih. Now the scene changes
and the picture is reversed.
In SIX months, TOT day, from the date of his own
announcement of the occupancy o; the Capital,
Gen Scott stood in the National Palace prisoner,
and the chains forged by American hands at home.
He was summoned :eforc Court of Inquiry in the
palace; and as he stood up before his Judges, his
interiors, his tall and commanding form, the obser-
we'd of all observers, pleading his rights, modesty
| alludiug to his ~ services, and portraying the
wrongs he had received, one could not but say,
'alas, there reason TO complain of the ngratudc
| of Republics. f.,-.....I .,.
On the morning The 14th of March following
his entrance into the capital, he stood before that
Court in the Palace, and addressed his accuSers.
His words, as he stood up boldly and respectfully
before them in the great saloon we have referred
to, were as follows: tst..5..
.Here in the capital of Mexico, conquered by
the American arms undermy command, lind my
self prisoner nj arge-the Chief cTnnlnai before
| this court. Stricken down from high command,
from high military position, the highest, perhaps,
ever occupied by any individual since the days of
the Father of his Countrywide immortal Washing
| toni feel deeply wounde q; my military pride mas
been cast down into the dust, not by the public
| envy, but by the long arm OF power from home.-
All that could be done in that quarter 10 degrade
aud humble me, has been done. But, sustained
by the Amightys arm, feeling strong in conscious
rectitudc, strong in mind and body, DEFIANCE
| TO NY ACCUsERs!"
| There was not an Amerio an In Mexico, who, as
he listened to these words, and saw the old Hero
| like Columbus in ns, dishonorcd by his own
country, did not feel mortified and ashamed that lie
should have received such treatment. The whole
matter of the court, every one knows, proved TO
be magnificent farce, and was finally dropped-as
if the only object of its instgators had been to de-
grade Scott upon thevery theatre of his glorious re-
| nOwn. 49, .-sa
| And now the scene changes again.
On the morning of the 22dof April, it became
known to some few, that Gen. Scott was about to
leave the capital fNIexico for his home. In the