The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-06
The Military Operations In Mexico.

Tfrom the Nashville Union
The military service of Gen. Pillow commenced in
the summer of 1886. He arrived at Camargo with
the troops Of the Tennessee Brigade, to the command
of which lie had been assigned, with an ardent de-
sire of early participating in active operations But
the arrangements Of General Taylor for moving on
Monterey, only contemplated force of some 5000
men Of all arms The volunteers of the column were
selected by lot, and organized into field division
under Con. Butler, with Quitman and Hamer for his
brigadiers In consequence Of the non-e employment
Of the remaining troops. Cen Pillow was left in COM
mand OF brigade in depot at Camargo. His atten-
ton turned to the instruction OF his command in
the duties Of its new profession and the establish
ment of an efficient discipline. Such duty Is that
most trying upon the patience and devotion OF an
officer, for il is that Of routine, without the stimulus OF
immediate and urgent necessity Tor exertion. In
respect to the troops at Camargo, the honors and
fatgues Of the service being gathered and I'M
dergone by other troops though not all the dangers
for the fatal diseases Of unhealthy climate broke
out, and made az many, II not more victims than
both sword and pestilence IN the active portions OF
the army. Among those attacked was Gen. Pillow,
who after living dangerously i'll for many weeks be-
far restored n to be able 10 travel. Under
the superstition that period OF inactivity would en-
sue, he made preparations to leave the country for
the benefit of his health. and had proceeded far
the mouth of the Rio Grande. There he learned OF
the movement Of the army on Victoria. tie returned
at once, marched from Matamoras in command of
brigade to Victoria. and when Gen. Scott dismem-
bered Tay lors command, in order to lay siege to
Vera Cruz Pillow marched for Tampico, there en-
barked. and was present at the landing of the Ame
ricsn army opposite Sacriheous the 9Th Of March,
lS47 On the following day the extension of the
lines of investment commenced and in the execution
Of this duty Pillow became first positively engaged
with the enemy
Worth's Division of regulars having taken its
ground on the right oil the proposed ine without Sc
nous opuostion Patterson was ordered to move his
troops to their station on its left and to the south
and west of the city Of Vera Cruz. The enemy had
however assembled in force, to dispute the further
occupation OF the line and the General OF Division
ordered Pillow to disodge him from old build
ing Uhe hacienda Malibran) and the chapparal in
its vicinity. His force was composed OF two regi-
ments of Tennessee, and two OF Pennsylvania volun-
teers and the report of his division commander de-
scribee his conduct in the following language
"a few minutes after General Pillow, having
penetrated the chapparal, encountered the Mexican
infantry in the vicinity Of the ruined building,
whence, after some sharp firing, he drove them with
loss, one officer and three men having been left upon
the field He now opened bis way through the chap
paral, and pushing with the First Tennessee regi-
ment, Colonel Campbelrs,) gained possession Of
the magazine, "a strong stone building south OF the
hacienda Mabran) in which were found large
number Of segude rockets, and one hundred and
twenty boxes of schrapnel shot. Leaving Colonel
Campbell's regiment to hold this point, he moved
on with the Second Tennessee regiment, (Col. Has
kell's.) and the First Pennsylvania regiment, (Col.
Wynkoops,) against body of cavalry and infantry,
occupying the railroad ri ite intersection with the
Madeline road Here the enemy was again driven,
and he was pursued through dense chapparal
and over rugged country, to the crest Of the hills
southwest of the city. On these hills the enemy
rallied and made show Of resistance but he
compelled as before to retire. az our troops steadily
advanced until completely routed, he sought shelter
under the guns Of the city The two regiments last
named, although exposed to the FIRE from the guns
Of the city, biyouaced on these heights"
This, the most considerable action which occurred
IN the extension of the lines of investment, at the
sege Of Vera Cruz, closed the operations of the 18th
81 March. The two following days the extension
was completed to Yergara, and the business Of the
siege commenced. During its continuance. the
subject Of this memoir was occupied in active re-
connoissance ano the detail duties Of his command
In the course Of them he had conspicuous share
in the operations which resulted in the fall OF that
important place and upon its commander Offering
10 captulate, Gen Pillow was appointed one of the
commissioners for the negotiation Of the terms. on
he part OF Gen. Scott. with Gen. Worth and Col
rotten, Chief Engineer, and Capt. Aulick, on the
part Of the naval commander. How he performed
thc delcate duty, appears from the official report Of
ihe Chief, for in u he has said that "iour
more able or judioious officers could not have been
desired "
Tie speedy approach 81 tie scltly season forced