The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-27


skill IN awaiting himself OF the service of his staff his
sleepess vigilance, his ardor and energy his good udg
meni, Won golden opinions among military men, and
elciled The wanesl encomums from Gen. Scott 1t was
The Judgment his eompeers passed him. thai lad he
done nothing else he would have established the repu.
aton o. possessing the qualities OF abie brave. and
The American army august 7th) moved forward 10
night the great battles OF the valley OF Mexico. which
suited ~ the waving OF the American flag The halls
OF e Monezumas II is not necessary 10 detail events
so honorable 10 the officers who directed them and the
country that sent them forth The first OF the struggles
We're those OF Contreras and Churubusco In describing
me former engagement, the first notice, III Gen. SCOTS
Official account OF Gen. Pierce that OF being ..more
than three hours under heavy fire OF artillery and
kels along the almost impossible ayne in front and to
the elt OF The enTenched camp. Besides twenty two
pieces OF artillery, the camp and ravine defended
closely by OF nfany, and these again supported
by clouds OF cavalry at hand and hoverng in view |"
his was the front OF the enemys works at Contreras.
The gallant ninth and twelfth regiments oil infantry
Gen Pierce's command-moved with great alaerty and
coolness and 10 the admiration OF the army, for three
fourths OF mile under heavy fire OF round shot and
Shells TO position which they nobly maintained from
O'Clock until o'clock when, not being able to max
an impression on vastly superior force, they were order
ed 10 new position
The night dark The rain poured in torrents ;
the troops wet, hungry, and without the possibility
OF sleep. and the ground was exceedingly and
dIlicut-ndeed it was field OF rock and lava. Late
this memorable evening Q9tn) Seen Pierce received"
says Cen Scott "a severe hurt from the fall Of his
horse" Scott says. 81 Pierce. just able 10
keep the saddle with his brigade to attack The enemy
right and reat But the accident rendered the General
physically unable 10 struggle successfully with the diff
and in making the effort he fell, fam, from exhaustion
and pain few yards from the lire of the enc
my's line During this action General Pierce evnced
,he greatest eoolness and bravery AS the shot were
flying about him he exclaimed his troops g There,
boys, Is game OF balls for you" 1t was the first
time that he fought under SCOTS eye, who, in this
That noble soldier, General Worth. 100, IN his Official tui
report. acknowledges his obligations and expresses
his admiration OF his gallant bearing. Gen Pillow, also,
says IN his official report CAUCUS! pa 1879 "Brgadier
General Pierce, though badly injured by the fall OF his
horse while gallapy leading his brigade into the thick
est OF the battle on the 19h did quit the field but
continued in command Of his brigade. Two regiments of
whichhe OH and l2ih infantry, under the immediate
command of the gallant Colonel Ransom and Lieutenant
Colonel Bonham the 10th, and Captain Woods on the
2oih--assaed the enemy's work in front, at daylight,
with great ntrepdity, and contributed much 10 the glo
rlous consummatlon OF the work so handsomely COM
menced on the preceding day" While the official reports
OF Gen. Pierce's superior officers thus ample his
bearing, those OF inferior grade not less So An
officer OF the ninth regiment, writing from Mexico in
lSi7, OF Cen Pierce, says; imagine see him
now upon that black horse at Conlreas. He gave us
word or two we filed past, in shower of shot and
shells, in return for which gave him cheer saw
him. oo at Churubusco Notwithstanding be was hardly
able 10 SIT on his horse. with the bullets flying round
him."
These great battles which placed the capital of Mex
90 al the feet OF The American general followed by
The well known arnisce. Il marks the confidence
already felt IN General Pierce that the commander ap
pointed him one OF the commissioners to with Santa
Anna. The result is well known. American liberality
and humanity Were repaid by Mexican treachery and
alsehood On the 18th of September hos,Il,ies were re
newed.
The American army, after another series of brilliant
leafs OF arms, hosed on the morning OF the l4th of Sep
TENDER The American flag the National Palace.
Among them were The battles OF Moline del Rey on the
Slh, and OF Chepuepec on the 18th, 18Th, and I4,h
General Pierce was engaged in battle with the enemy
the Sth al The loot OF Chepuepec. Here he did efficient
service, and was present when danger TO be met
AS he was going the field, when bullets were flying
about him, General Worth called him from it with the
remark that he Was rash. In this battle, j. H.
Warand, an officer of the army, writes Qsi7) that
the New England regiment was ordered TO take Oft
The troops from the field. The duty assigned was an
honorable one and was worthily performed. General
Pierce led portion oil his brigade before the blazing fire
OF the eGemys cannon with degree OF courage and dar
ing which has been spoken of with admiration He
rowly escaped with his life several times the six pound
ers ranging within few inches OF hin and pougbng
the ground by the side OF his horse lie continued
ing bis sword and encouraging his troops ill the duty
assigned was performed. The cry was, Come on,
brave New England boys"
The same gentleman wrote the lines containing notices
Of The New England officers 10 the army. OF General
Pierce he writes:
g Break New England's lion spirit,
No-not while Pierce plunge his sleed
Amid the cannon blazing near it,
Wave his bright sword and Onward lead y
The last great battle was The storming OF Chepullepec.
This took place the 18Th General Pierce this
day confined by illness his bed. I" regret says
the brave General Pillow, !" that was deprived of The
services OF my brave talented and plshed Bga.
dier General Pierce, who confined 10 sick bed"
Such - he uniform testimony oil his brother officers 10
The bravery and efficiency OF General Pierce Nor is this
all. The men under his command ldolized him. After
he bad led them IN triumph, and the hour of battle
had passed and the camp wrapped IN the mantle OF
night, his ndhearedness prompted him TO wind bis
way unaiteded along the line OF tents, where Uee TO be
seen epsd cheeks and Exhausted frames OF the wound
ed soldiers lie heard their las, dying words he received
their last requests and expended his last shilling 10 pro
II was such offices these. which habitua with
HIM. that won the love OF the soldiers
In December, alter asceriained that there would
be fighting. Gen. Pierce left Mexico for home.
He LETT The service with the Respect regret, and adpra
lion Of all " am sorry he going" writes officer,
cas- don't know of man who would do better for the
men under his command, that the soldiers would
like - we'll" Another writes; 10 my great surprise,
find that Central Pierce will leave TO morrow with the
train for Vera Cruz. He has borne himself with great
honor and usefulness general officer II is eaid OF
him here that after the terrible battles OF the valley OF
Mexico he visited the wounded and dying soldier, and
with uniirng vigilance and open hand administered
without stunt or measure TO the alienation OF their suffer
ings We all regret. especially those Of Us from New
Enpland, his purpose 10 retire from the service"
The American STAR published III the city OF Mexico,
contained the following notice OF him the occasion OF
bis departure:
" BsIG GIN. PfKRoE.-Among the distinguished officers
with he train which leaves the to-day is Bfgadief
General Franklin Pierce OF New Hampshire The Amer
leans IN the city will greatly regret the departure Of this
accom- pshed gentleman ADD officer, ADD certain we
him III General Places gentlomany bearing bis ur.
bane and republican manners, which have made him so
great ayorie with both officers and 1t Is his pur-
pose believe. resign the place which he
y his