Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1852-09-16
Letter from an Old Soldier.

pened actively, that Scott would carry
Tennessee. There was some disaffaction
at first, some few soured politicians flew
off, but the bone and sinew stood firm.
CLOSED their ranks, fixed bayonets, and
charged their opponents. The indications
now are that the soldier State is safe for
the gallant old soldier who has always
led the columns to victory. As one of the
many indications we see, we copy the fol
lowing letter from Lieut.. Shields, of Sc
vier county, East Tennessee. The Knox
vile Register says he ''is one ofthose who
volunteered from Sewer county to serve
in the Mexican. war; was afterwards
lieutenant, commissioned by Polk fought
in every battle in the valley of Mexico,
was several times wounded in battle, as
the scars on his body testify" He now
is enthusiastic for Scott. Listen how he
talks about his old commander; his words
Come bursting from the heart, and COM
municate an electric thrill to the hearts of
others: ~
..1 SEvIERyILLE, August 6, 1852.
Il 10 tie Etlltor }, | learn by the newspa-
pers that some man. in "Little Kentuck"
has become very angry at me because |,
a Democrat, should support my old com
mander, General Scott. [ had supposed
this was a free country, and that man
had a right to vote for whom he pleased
The writer of that article says that am
convert. In that you are correct; [
was Democrat, and at first felt like sup
porting Pierce; but when | remembered
the trials and dangers L had gone through
while under Scott, 1 did not feel that I
could do my feelings justice and vote a
gainst him. ...... ... -.
When l thought of the long and toll
some march from Vera Cruz to the city of
Mexico, when we were fifty days in the
heart of an enemys country, cut off from
all supplies, as well as from all communi-
cation with our own country and friends,
surrounded by guerillas on every side;
and when. you heard Of US again we had
planted the star-spangled banner upon the
Halls of the Montezumas, and it was still
floating triumphantly in the breeze over
as brave an army and as noble COM
mander as ever went forth to battle; and
when [ heard my brave old commander
abused | could stand it no longer. Well
do | remember with what kindness he
visited the sick and wounded in that cam
paign, and how he administered to their
wants day after day. l tell you, Mr..
Editor, the officers and soldiers under his
command loved him You, my brother
soldiers, remember how he visited the
hospitals in the city of Mexico, and how
he administered to the wants of the sick,
furnishing each man with shirt, a blank
ct, a pair of shoes, and dollars worth
of tobacco; and [ for one drew all these
comforts, and a knapsack also, as did all
others who lost theirs in battle. But
now [ am to be abused because [ choose
to vote for my kind, generous, noble brave
old commander; and that, too, by man
who fires from behind masked battery
and won't sign his name. ....
| venture the man that has written a.
gainst me, and who is trying to tear down
Scott, never slept on a wet blanket; new
er stood sentry at night for his country;
was never put on half ratiohs and hard
crackers, and was never compelled to
drink warm water, unless it was to work
off a. dose Of physic. But if | am not
in November next we viii give
you a hasty plate of Scott soup, that you
will find warm enough for your comfort,
and the water of it Shall be real Niagara
water. o5D'" 1oi''+ '' -'''-
But / said the soldiers under SCOTS
command loved him You, Brother sold
iers, remember when he was arrested;
you remember the morning he left the
army for the United States, and what was
done that day; yes, every regiment march
ed round his quarters, clad with badge
of mourning, in order to show how they
honored and loved him. You know we
had orders not to cheer; but one Of the
volunteer companies was obliged to cheer
and break the solemn silence, and cheer
they did. This was company of sharp
shooters who took a part at Vera Cruz