The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-09-11


and we believe it Is historical fact
which cannot be controverted that Gen.
Pierce uas not In q single battle during
that fierce struggle.
The first time he really came in sight
Of the enemy-tor the little affair at the
the National Bridge, with the Guerilas,
was, according to his own reports moth
ing at alL-was at Contreras on the 10Th
of August. Here he was disabled by a
fall NTH his horse before his brigade got
into position. No one will say, then,
that he was at the battle of Contreras.
The next morning, the goth, he received
orders about ] O'Clock from the general
in chief to advance; but he says himself
he was not able to walk or ride, and the
command devolved upon Col. Ransom.
That evening was fought the battle of
Churubusco. Gen. Pierce was ordered
to attack the enemy on their right; but
in his own words '.he fell upon bank,
within few hundred yards Of the enc.
my's fire. and tainted!
The next battle with which his name
has been connected was that of Moline
del Rey on the Sth of September. But
here, according to Gen. SCOTS report,
written on the spot, Gen. Pierce did not
reach the battle field until just as the
enemy had been routed; according to
Gen. w orth's, not until an hour after
the pursuit had been commenced.
A.. Va.
was ordered to make movement with
his brigade immediately under the
guns of Chepultepec.' But before he
could make the movement, he says HIM
self, in his official report, he became so
unwell that he was compelled to leave
the field. He kept his bed all the next
day, the 18th, on which Chapultepec
was stormed, and until the next morn
ing, the 18th, when the fighting was all
over. He then reported himself for
duty.
After this we hear no more of Gen.
Pierce until he resigned his commission
before the war was fully over, and. pre-
pared to return home to New Hamp-
shire.
| Such is the absolute truth in relation
to Gen. Pierce's warlike achievements in
Mexico. The facts are taken from the
official reports of the day-mostly from
Gen. Pierce's own reports-which con-
stltute the only reliable annals of the
war. 1t is in vain that heated pal tisans
attempt at this late hour to explain them
away for political effect. They are part
OF the history Of the transactions they
record, and cannot be eliminated so long
as truth has an abiding place in the
land.
Here, then, we have correct sum-
mary of the civil and military preten-
sions of the democratic candidate for
tie Presidency. What paucity of ma
terials from which to work up a great
man! How utterly barren the subject !
How flat, stale and Improbable +!
We will not contrast this beggarly
account ofjejune speeches, soulless votes
and untought battles, with the splendid
record of the deeds of WINFIELD Scorr!
1t would require more time than we can
spare to raise ourselves up from the
depths of the one subject to the heights
OF the other. But Winfield Scott re.
qulres no special eulogy at our hands.
The history of the country for the last
forty years is full to Overlooking of his
magnificent achievements. Politicians
may atlectnot to appreciate his great and
shining merits, but with the people
the masses--his name is as familiar as a
household word. His deeds have for
years constituted the theme of conversa-
ton around the firesde, and generous
hearts and strong arms are ready in
places that are little dreamed OF to bear
him aloft into the highest office in the
gilt OF free people.-.Niner'S Journal.
ANEcpoTE OF GEN. ScoTT.-The .New-
burg Gazette tells the following story OF
Gen Scott, while in Mexico: after the
American Volunteers were discharged
in Mexico, two soldiers who had been
wounded met Gen. Scott in the street
and he asked them if they were going
to start for home that day. They re-
piled that they were. The General told
them that he had issued proclamation
the day before that all the wounded
Volunteers should be entitled to receive
ten dollars extra pay, in order to assist
them in procuring little luxureS on their
passage home, and placing his hands on
their shoulders, said he only regretted
that he could not make it a thousand,
and with God bless you, my fine fell
lows and a hearty shake of the hand,
he separated from them. This IS but