Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-06-24
WHO Is GENERAL PIERCE,

: AS this IS the great question OF the day
# (says the New York Express) we give thu
it following brief sketch of his life, drawn u
# by one who is evidently very friendly bi
n ographer:
e General Pierce is a son of the late Ben
jamin Pierce who fought in the revolutionar,
war; was high-sherff of the county o
Hillsborough, in New Hampshire, and wa
Governor of the State in 1927 and 1929
Frank, as his son was called, enjoyed the
advantages of high education in the neigh
boring colleges.
General Pierce is therefore of gooe
: stock, and he has proved himself a worth,
scion Of that stock. He was born in Hills.
borough, New Hampshire, and is now about
forty.six years of age.
Frank Pierce was brought up to the pro-
fesson of the law He now follows the L.
; gal profession, and it is estimated that he
realizes by it about $4,000 year. Hc re.
sides at Concord. In his personal appear
ance he is of middle height and size, and Of
good address.
He was elected a member of Congress on
the democratic ticket in 1888, and was re-
elected in lS35-thus serving four years in
the House of Representatives while quite a
young man-namely, from 1888 to 1887,
He had previously been member of the
Legislature of the State, and Speaker Of the
lower House While a member of the
House of Representatives in Congress, he
was elected member of the United States
Senate for the term of six years, commenc-
ing in 1887; but resigned in 1912, the fifth
year of his term, and returned to the prac-
tice Of the law. His colleaguein in the United
States Senate from 1887 to 1s4l, was Henry
Hubbard, who was succeeded by the late
Levi Woodbury..
Upon the accession of Polk to the Prcsi-
dental chair, Mr.. Pierce was offered the
Attorney Generalship, but declined it. He
said he had no desire for public office, and
he would never consent to leave his home
for any purpose unless to serve his country
in war, and that in some case of necessity.
At that time, Col. Ransom, who was Presi.
dent of the Military College in Vermont,
wanted q commission in order to fight in the
Mexican 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 TO
the command of such troops as might be
raised in New England. The reply Of the
government was. that the request could not
! sa ka qsas,ln!ied Mith hns it was intended to com
man. That man was Mr.. Pierce himself.
But lie will not take it," said Col. Ransom.
"But he must take it" replied the cabinet.
Mr.. Pierce was Immediately offered the
Colonely of the New England regiment, and
was induced to accept it, and Col. Ransom
was appointed Major of the same regiment.
Before the regiment was raised, vacancy
occurred in the office of Brigadier General
Of the Third brigade, consisting of the Ninth,
New England regiment,) the Twelfth, raised
in Texas, Arkansas, and other Southern
States; aud the Fifteenth raised in Ohio and
Wisconsin. He was appointed to this Of
fee; and the other brigadicr generals ap.
pointed at the same time were Thos. Mar
Shall, Joseph Lane, james Shields, George
CadwaIlader Enos D. Hopping, Caleb Cush-
ing, and Sterling Price. He was supelin-
tendent of the recruiting service, and took
an active part in raising the troops.
The commission of General Pierce was
dated March Sd, lS47. He took command
of $500 men, and reached Vera Cruz June
2sth, ls47, which shows that he was not
asleep. lie Joined General SCOTS army, at
Puchla, in July, ls47. He was engaged i'll
the battles of Contreras and Churubusco in
August, lS47. lie WAS twice injured in
these actions by falling from his horse.
When he reached Contreras, he met Gen.
Scott, and under him engaged in the battle
there There was deep ravinc between
the United States troops and the AIexicans.
The enemy was drawn up at the other side
in the battle array, and with his batteries
placed. The order was given to charge and
outHank them. In charging down, the
round shot Of the enemy was flying over
their heads and plouging up the ground.
sword, would say, "rhere, boys, is 4 game
of ball for you" In this charge his horse
fell and rolled upon him. Fle was severely
injured and the horse was disabled He
mounted another horse, and joined the fight.
He suffered great pain all night, and could
not sleep. The surgeon ordered him not to
go into the field next day. That night they
had hin in arms, and the rain was terrible,
and the surgeon advised him to go back to
San Augustine, were there was depot; but
he would not lie determined to 60 on to
Churubusco.
At charge i'll this battle, both his brigade
and that of Gen. Shields were ordered to
, get in the rear. He was again thrown from,
his horse with such violence that he tainted
on the field. Afterwards, when the troops
coming up, wanted to raise him, he TOLD
them to charge on and he would take care o.
, himself, though the Mexican Lancers were
then charging on the spot, and towards /;
cornfeld. lie commanded his troops tt
charge them in, advance.
After this battle an armistice was pro
posed, and Gen. Pierce was appointed ont
of the commissioners.
At the battle of Molino del Rey he rode
!. over the field, with bullets flying about him
and was called off by Gen. Worth, who tolt
v him he was rash. He was at the battle o
!. Chapultepec; and when the victory declared
for the stars and stripes, the South Caro-
;. linians and the Ninth regiment, which ha,
n fought together at Churubusco and Contre
3 ras, met. Their blood had mingled in on
common stream, and the Palmetto regimen
showed its valor by the number Of its me-
8 that lay dead on the field. General Pierc
Al Al