The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-13

iellow cbIens, 10 those extracts from Tue feeoiu OF
the times 10 which have alluded that you may have
the means al hand to close the mouths OF his deractos
NORTHWEST.
General Pierce In Mexico.
From the Boston Courier, twhig)
The following letter from Colonel Smith, OF New
Hampshire, gentleman who rendered distinguished
vices to the Americans in Mexico during the invasion Of
that country by troops has been presented for
publication
CINNAMON, IN. H.,) June "a, 1859
You are probably aware that at the commencement OF
the with Mexico had been more than fifteen years
resident OF the city OF the Azecs During the war
twice expelled from the city, the suspicious OF the
incurred in consequence of the in which treated
Major Gaines, Major Borland and the other Encarnacon
prisoners Immediately after the second order Tor my
expulsion desiring TO control my own movements made
my escape passed the mountains in two nights horse
back, having bribcd famous guerilla chief, Colin,
who accompanied me with FIVE, of his desperate asso,
GATES | carried dispatches from --- TO General
Scott Chen at Puebla which delivered at four o'clock
IN the morning, and afterwards continued with the noble
commander he awaiting himself Of my minute knowledge
American army arrived al Puebla two days before
General Pieces brigade arrived there, and was never
prouder OF my country and never proud OF my native
State, when that fine command marched into the city
All balconies were crowded, and such reinforcement
spread general JOY through the army The circumstances
in which il had been performed-,he daring courage
Tested by the commander particularly in crossing the
National Bridge, when his hat was shot from his head
were OF the subjects OF much conversation, and
secured for General Pierce high admiration and entire
confidence And these, may safely say, were never
abaed during The campaign.
but TO state some facts within my own knowledge in
ation TO the operations Of the 10th and Goth OF August
and the sth Of September. On the 10th August was
at ST. Augustine, about seven miles from Contreras.
Perce's brigade marched out early TO open the road
across the mountain for the artillery which followed
that afternoon did not General Pierce again till
fhon Iay had oral coftts
stat all the morning OF the 10th, and had heard OF the
dangerous injury General Pierce had sustained by the
fall Of his horse the Pedregal the afternoon before
The horse supposed to have caught his in the
cleft Of rock, being at hard galop The preservation
Of the life o the General here as at the National
Bridge, 10 have been providenal Although the bones
Of The horse broken, that be was left upon the
spot the enacity with which the rider held TO his COM
mand during that day and the next was the wonder Of
all He RODE during the residue OF that evening. the
horse of the gallant Lieutenant Johnson who had just
been shot in his saddle
met General Pierce on the goth, near Coyacan; Cen
era Twggss division had advanced on the road towards
the church at Churubusco, and when met Pierce the
heavy firing OF the batteries had opened shall never
forget his appearance as he rode at the head of that
BILE brigade destined to suffer terribly in the afternoon
He was exceedingly thin, down by the fatigue and
pain OF the day and night before, and then evidently su
fering severely Still there glow in his eye the
cannon doomed that showed within him spirit ready
for The conflict
The brigade was soon formed on the west side of The
plaza Of Coyacan, opposite the church familiar
Informed General Scott who was in his saddle, under
tree, the church, from which he issuing orders
to different members of his staf that knew route
by which the enemy could be attacked IN rear Hay-
ing decided al send Percs brigade and to sup
port it by other troops that ght be at his command he
despatc he'd me 10 call General Pierce. ! did so; and
when he rode up, conversation, in substance and as
as | can Iecolleci in The following words, took
place:
Gen. Scott said Pierce, my dear fellow. you are bad,
ly inuredyou not fit 10 be in your saddle Yes,
am" said Pierce, 10 a case like this" Gen SEQ
said " II is temery; we shall lose YOU and cannot spare
you ought 10 order you back 10 81. Augustine. You
cannot touch your foot 10 the stTrup" " can, one OF
them, said Pierce, and that is enough for to-day This
will be the last great fight and must lead my brigade
The order was then given acting as guide by the drec-
ton of Gen. Scott Major Lee, of the engineer corps,
COMPLAINING the command The brigade moved rapidly
forward for about mile, when we came to ditch as |
Tecoieet ten or twelve feet wte and six or eight deep
Pierce lifted from his saddle and if TO tread upon
impossbies he led the brigade then under fire, in his
crippled condition, for considerable distance on foot,
when he Tell from exhaustion and suffering, too great
field and remained till the final rout OF the enemy More
iniexibe determination and daring courage do not be.
lieye was ever exhibited upon battle. field.
On the night before the battle OF Moline del Rey.
General Piefces brigade at the hacienda Of San
BoIiia, about mile from Tacubaya, where il had
how General Worl's mostgallanl division suffered The
carnage the field was dreadful. General Scott de-.
spaohed 10 accompany my friend Major Gaines with
an order Tor Pierce TO advance They were ready on an
field and witnessed Pierce's fine movement upon the
Kings Mill 10 relieve Colonel Garland who had been
fighting till that hour He advanced with the ninth in
fanry, (and recolect, second artillery not OF his
brigade properly The enemy whose fire had nearly
ceased, upon the movement OF these regiments,
opened with round shot and shell from Chepulepec |
well remember that the bay horse which the General
took from the States became, under FIRE, difficult to
age, and was well nigh pungng precipice close
by the Kings Mill at the bridge, in consequence OF the
bursting OF a shell but few feet from hun. Nothing
could have been cool and admirable than this whole
movement
made the acquaintance Of General Pierce thousands
OF miles from our native land under circumstances thai,
'iried mems souls" found him there what all know
him 10 be here, and cann~ withhold this act OF justice
from who has as brave heart and as selfsacri.
fcing spirit ever warmed true mans bosom. |
know General Pierce needs vindicalion OF his military
conduct His merit in this respect is proclaimed by the
united voice of officers and men-those who participated
AID who know. But at the same time he may not be
dispeased with these hasiy "reminiscences from me,
have been long from the country that feel bat little
interest in mere party conflicts
Your obedient servant.
NOAH +. SMITH.