The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-06-30
From the New HampshirePatriot.
CEN. PfERCE,s MILITARY CAREER.

!
tion. His career in Mexico was OF the
same character as that OF Pillow and Cush.
inn: on the field Of battle he tainted, and
was withdrawn to place Of safety; he
resipned his commission, and returned
home long before the close OF the war. =
ClaremonE Eagle, June 10, 1852.
The, federal papers OF the abolition
stripe are now filled with stuff like the
above, and the best and all. sufficient reply
TO every thing of the kind is to be found in
the following article. which was pupllshea
in the same Claremost Eagle oi August
l6. l849. It is most triumphant vlndl-
cation of General Pierce's military career
from all the aspersions which have been
and are being cast upon it,
Ill will be recollected by all conversant
with the detsils Of the advance of General
Scott upon the city of Mexico, that after
,he battle of Cerro Gordo he found him
self without sufficient force 10 prndently
continue his march upon the city till rein
forced. At this time General Pierce was
ordered TO take his brigade Of about 400
men (northern mem from Vera Cruz to
General Scott, in the sickly season OF July
The Mexicans and guerilla bands bad col
lected at various points IN great 'ofce oe-
tween Vera Cruz and Gen. Scott s en-
campment, with the view to rob and plan
der and prevent men or stores being taken
n the Commander-n chief; and It was
thought by most persons well acquainted
with the Mexican force and the natural
defences of the country. that 1t was almost
imprac,ible to strengthen Gen. Scott.
But General Pierce. stranger IN the
country, and with new troops, succeeded
in overcoming every obstacle, and reach,
ed Gen. Scott with his whole command
in manner that commanded the adnlra-
ton of that scientific officer and all militia
nv men, and with u triiing loss. Deter
mined to take to. his commander as many
men . he possibly could, he had occasion
to show his skill as general as well as
bravery as soldier. Often forced to
maneuvre to gain eligible positions, and
often compelled TO charge boldly under
almost desperate circumstance. II there is
anv thing in the opinion Of military men,
in the army and out OF it. had the military
career of General Pierce closed here, he
had exhibited in this march all the guam.
,ies of brave and able commander, and
would have returned to his home with
honor to himself, his State, and his coun'
try. .
It. is not the purpose of this article to
,,;,a INV .de,ailed account of his march.
or Of any of the battles wherein General
Pierce was engaged. but to show the char
ac,er he sustained, from otilclal reports
and the public press at the time
After General Pierce joined General
Scott, he was engaged in every battle ex-
cept the storming OF Chapultepec. When
leading his brigade to charge at Con-
treras, under most calling fire OF the en-
emy. and after sitting in the midst OF it, as
wa are told, in the most dangerous posi-
ton. men and horses falling around him
for the columns to pass along. aud he
coolly encouraging them as they aavah'
ced. and receiving their cheers and then
galloping to the head OF his charge h''
horse, in leaping ledge OF rocks caugh
foot in a crevce and fell, most severely
injurng him.
With assistance he was Immediately
mounted upon another horse and contln
ned TO lead on his men amidst the thlckes
OF the fight till the battle was over
But let the official reports tell the story
Extract from the report OF Major Gen
pillow of the battles Of Contreras ant
Churubusco:
"lst Brigadier Gen. Pierce, thoug'
badly injured by the tall Of his horse whlI'
gallantly leading his brigade into ih'
thickest of the battle on the 18th, did no
omit the field, but continued in comman'
of his brigade" &c. :,
"2nd. During this movement mel VIII
Coils. Ransom's and Morgan's regiment
'-l9rh infantry, under Capt. Wood an'
the howitzer battery. under Lieut.. breno
parts of my division forming Gen. Fierce
brioade-which had been moved by orde
of the general in-chet. under command q
Gen. Pierce, against large body OF III
enemy to the right and rear OF the nai
works. where they had been. III con- unc
lion with Shields brigade. engaged IN
fierce open.6eld fight with large force
Brigadier General Pierce. though sutterln
severely from his injury of the preced'n
dav. had nevertheless been on duty AN
in command of his brigade, and until
few moments before. when he had ialnle
from pain and exhaustion, and been Cal
ried from the field.'
"3d. | cannot withhold the expresslo
Of my sense of the deep obligations | al
under for the success and honor due
my command to my two gallant brigade
generals, (Cadwallader and Pierce
whose prompti,ude. skill and daring WEI
equal to every emergency, and VINO
the absence of discipline in their con
mands, met and overcome every obstacle
and led on their brigades TO honor an
distinction"
Extract from General SCOTS report