Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-06-17
INDIANA STATE SENTINEL.
c..ora, Pieree,s military Services.

from well written biography Of General Pierce, IN the
New York Herald
During the administration OF Mr.. Polk, Mr. Pierce
was offered the Attorney GeneralshiP bat declined
II He said be had no desire for public office, and
be would never consent TO leave has home Tor any
purpose ess to serve his country in war; and that In
some case Of necessity Upon the outbreak oil the Mex
loan war A8en the whole country expected Ito do
It's duty y twas not surprising that Mr. tPierce should
have been invited prominent position among the nu
nsrous volunteers for death or conquest de was nv
ed a the seoue will show and honored the commission
with GOODNESS and courage worthy oil ms revolnuon
ary sire At that time, Col. Ransom, who was Pres
dent Of the Military College in Vermont, wanted com
mission in the army, in order to hight IN that campaign
Mr. Pierce, who was warm friend OF his wrote
strong letter Of recommendation OF him to the cabinet at
Washington, urging them to appoint him 10 inc com
mand Of such troops might be raised in New England
The reply of the was that the request could
not be complied with, it was INTENDED to confer the
command upon New Hampshire man That man was
Mr. Pierce himself "But he will not take It," said
Col Ransom "But he must take 1t, replied the
cabinet
Mr. Pierce was Immediately offered the colonelcy Of
he New England regiment, and was induced 20 aeceP-
it. and Col Ransom was appointed Major OF tne sane
regiment. Before the regiment was raised vacancy
occurred the Office Of Brgadier General OF the lnrd
brigade consisting Of the Ninth (New England reg,
rent he Twelfth raised in Texas, Arkansas, and
other Southern Stltes and the Fifteenth raised IN Ono
and Wisconsin. He appointed to TINS once anu
the other Bngader Generals appointed al Ine sane ie
were Thomas Marshall Joseph Lane, James Shields
George Cadwallader, EnOs ID. Hopping caleb C1sning
ank Sterling Price He was superintendent OF the re-
eruiting service and took an active part raising Ine
troops Previous TO his leaving Concord, an incident
occurred that worthy Of mention showing the char
acter of the NAT Captain Kimba marched with eighty
men, into the town, on Sunday evening, with ME and
drum aud coiors flying. This gave mortal offence 10
some of the Purans and General Pierce hearing oil II,
ordered the music stop and the company to halt and
dismiss their quarters remarking that 1t was his de-
sire to respect the feelings Of all.
The commission of General Pierce was dated March
g. ls47 He took command of z, 500 men, and reached
Vera Cruz June o. 1S47 which shows that he was not
asleep He Joined General Scott's army at Pueba, IN
JAW 1s47 He was engaged in the battles of Contre-
ras and Churubusco in August, 1s4I. He was twice
injured in those actions by falling from his horse
But let 60 somewhat into detail from the time he
set sail from Newport in the bark Keller. Many oil
the troops board having become sick suffered great
deal from Of water and placed on short al
lowauee After receiving his allowance, ne used to
take pitcher Of and go about and distribute II
the soldiers This but sample OF his attention
and kindness to his brave companions IN arms On ar
irving Vera Cruz he lent every dollar ne had TO them
and he frequently seen carrying the musket OF a
wearied or sick soldier his shoulder. he did
not enjoy good health himself in that climate de was
very sick shortly after he arrived and continued more or
less I'll all the time, but was still al his post with un-
tagging zeal. The climate did not agree win hm
Near ''the National Bridge" about fifteen miles from
Vera Cruz his force attacked by guerilla party
and the manner in which he acted showed his frmness
and decision OF character He gave order to charge
upon the ehapparel in the neghborhood where the
enemy supposed TO be. Col. Ransom, who was an
intimate friend and or under his command objected
and having Of military education than General
Pierce he concluded his objection would be listened
II have given the ORDER said the General firmly 1t
was then obeyed, and the enemy put fight, Colonel
Ransom afterwards spoke OF the praise OF the
Generals hrmness Shortly alter the train again
attacked by the gueras the National Bridge, which
was barrcaded with chapparel The troops were fired
upon, and two baets passed through Gen Pierces hat
not bis head He ordered his troops to dash over the
bsTracade and to charge the enemy Captain Dupreau,
OF the Dragons charged up the HILL and put the gner
las to fight Under all these circumstances, he dis
played GOODNESS and courage which showed De was
IT. for command.
When he reached Contreras, he met Gen Scott, and
under him engaged in the battle. There was deep
ravine between the United States troops and the Next
cans. The enemy was drawn up at the other side in
battle array and with his batteries all placed. The
order given TO charge and out flank them In charg
ing down, the round shot Of the enemy flying over
their heads and ploughing up the ground General
Pierce, cutting at them with sword would say There
boys, IS game OF BAL for YOU" In this charge his
horse fell and rolled upon him. He severely injured
and MS horse disabled He mounted another
horse and joined the fight He suffered great pain all
night and could not sleep. The surgeon ordered him
to 20 into the field next That night they had lair
arms and the rain terrible and the surgeon ad
vised in 90 back San Augustine, where there wa
depot but he would not He determined to 60 on tC
Churubusco.
At charge in this battle both his brigade and tina
Of Gen Shields ordered get the He wa:
again thrown from bis horse with such violence that h
tainted the field Afterwards when the troops com
and he would take Of himself though the Mexican
laneers were then charging the spot and towards
eornfeld He commanded his troops to charge them il
advance
After this batIle an armstice proposed and Gen
Pierce appointed one of the commissioners He wa
strongly opposed to the armstice unless the castle
Chaputepec was given up security, and there Wa
use in proposing armisce unless they were pre-
pared TO give up California. General Scott was opPos
ed to him in opinion but the event showed that Pierce
vas right. The armistice granted almost uncon
iitionally.
At the battle OF Moline del Rey he rode the field
with the bullets flying about him, and called of BY
General Worth who told him he was rash He was al
the battle Of Chapuepec and when victory declared o
the stripes and stars the South Caronans and the ninth
regiment which had fought together at Churubusco anC
Contreras met. Their blood had mingled in one com
stream, and the Palmetto regiment showed its val
by the numbers Of its that lay dead the field
General Pierce addressed them and said, here the
fTeme North and South had met together, as common
Of the glorious Unon-met maintain its rights
and uphold It's honor These battles had cemented the
union Of North and South and he hoped they would be
forever united Nine cheers then given for the
Palmetto regiment which loudly responded to:
aud the compliment returned by the Carroll
mans TO the Yankees.
After this battle he resigned his commission and came
home, having done enough to redeem his pledge and
maintain the honor of his country. The state of his
health continued very bad all the time he was in Mexico
he the best terms with General Scott his pres
envsl for the Presidency, and General Scott often in
vited him dinner. He was idozed by the under
his command When the war was all over be did not
get quarrel with the other generals who had
done most least. He modest and silent about
his DESERTS though he fought well any Of the
generals. This not exactly the pursued By
Gen Scott and some others.
When the troops came Newport he found there
S240 due to him, and he added $50 more to ii
making up $780, which he spent in treating the men
He also by his influence purse procured them Tree
passage BY the railroad. He sent money many old
soldiers.