The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-18
From tho New Hampshire Patriot
General Pierce's Military Career.

He General Pierce) won no iautes in his Mexican
a'a 70 ops m sa o. Pal ~, any ame rba
acier tn OF Pillow and Gushing; the field OF bat.
lie he tainted, and Withdrawn 70 place OF safety
he resigned his commission and returned nome long be-
fore the close OF the war-Ctarsmont Eagle, June 10.
1852.
The federal papers OF the abolition stripe filled
with siuf like the above, and the best and all sufficient
reply to everything of the kind IS TO be found ~ The
following article, which was published in the same
Clauemont Eagle Of August TO- 1919 il is most tT
umphan vndcaton OF General perce's military career
from all The aspersons which have been and are being
cast upon il:
1t will be reeollectel by all conversant with the de-
tails OF the advance OF Gen Scott upon the city OF Mex
leo, tina, after the battle of Ceo Gordo he found bn
sell without Sufficient force TO prudently continue his
paca upon The Guy III reinforced AZ this tune Genera
men (northern men) from Vera Cruz 10 Gen. Scott, in
the sickly season Of July. The Mexcans and guerilla
bands had collected various points in great force be-
tween Vera Cruz and Gen. SCOTS encampmen with
the view TO rob and plumber and prevent men or stores
being taken TO the COMMANDMENT chief; and il was
can force and the natural deences of the country, that
ii almost mpraccable TO strengthen Gen Scott But
Gen. Pierce, stranger IN the country, and with new
troops, succeeded in overcoming every obstacle, and
reached Gen. Scott with his whole command in
that commanded the admiration Of that scientific officer and
all military men, and with trifing loss. Determined
take 10 his commander as many men as he possibly
could, be had occasion 10 show his skill general
well bravery soldier. Often forced TO maneuyre
boldly under almost desperate circumstances If there IL
anything in the opinion of military men. in the army and
out Of H. had the military career Of General Pierce closed
here he had exhibited in this march all the qualities OF
brave and able commander. and would have returned
10 his home with honor TO himself, his State, and his
country.
It is the purpose OF this article give any detailed
of his march, of any OF the battles wherein
General Pierce engaged but to show the character
he sustained from official reports and the public press
the time
After General Pierce joined General Scott he was
engaged in every battle except the s,ornng OF Chepu
tepec When leading his brigade charge at Contre
ras, under most CALLING hire OF the enemy, and after
sitting in the midst OF it, as we are told in the most
dangerous position and horses falling around him.
for the columns TO pass along and he cooy encouraging
them they advanced and receiving their cheers, and
then gaopng to the head Of his charge, his horse in
fell, most severely niuring hun With assistance he
Immediately mounted upon another horse and con
tnued to lead on his amidst the hickest OF the fight
| But let the official reports tell the story.
Extract from the report of Major Gen. Pillow OF the
battles OF Conreras and Churubusco:
Iss. rgadier Pierce thou gh badly njrr by the
fall Of his horse while saanly leading his brigade ino the
thckest Of the battle the l9h did MOI quit the field but
40. During hi. movement met with Coils. Ransom,s
and Morgan reamentsi2h infantry, under Capt Wood.
division fning Gen Perce's brigade which had been
moved by order Of the genoralncbe under communal of
and OF the main works where they had been,
junction with sheidssbrigade, engaged in fierce open
though suffering severely from his injury OF the preceding
day lad nevertheless been duty and in command Of his
brigade, Bnd until few moments before, when he had
tainted from pain and exhaustion and been carried from
"3d cannot withhold the expression my sense the
deep obligations under for the success and honor due
(Cad~alader and Piece) whose promptitude, skill and
daring We're equal 10 every emergency and wio 10 the
absence Of discipline in their commands met and
come every obstacle, and led their brgaaes to honor
| and distinction .
Extract from General Scotts report of the battles OF
| Contreras and Churubuscoi
Accordingly the advanced divisions and Shields
brigade marched from Coneras under the immediate orders
ny he
oat OF activity the evening before by hurt received
Pierce, Gust able keep the sadde) with his brigade
conducted by Captain Lee engneer by third road liIe
order favor the upon the Convent, and of
the retreat upon the capital"
bsfore under pain and exhaustion tainted in the ZION
Several other changes ia the command occurred this
field"
Extract from the report OF Major General Worth, dated
August %, 1917:
The division commander iorego the opportunity
pesen'ed to acknowledRe his obligations AID express his
and Bfgadier Generals Shields cadwaiader. and Pierce.
with whom he had the qualification OF and co-ope-
ration at various critical periods of the conflict"
o. the 22d of August, days after these great and
decisive battles, Cen Pierce appointed by Gen. Scott
one OF the American commissioners in seling the terms
OF an arnisce between the armies of the United States
and Mexico, and, with Generals Quiiman and Z. f. Smith,
executed that delicate and honorable trust.
The stounng OF Chepuepec, on the 18th OF Septem-
Der, the only one, amidst the glorious
OF the valley OF Mexico in which General Pierce did NOT
participate He then confined TO his bed by sick
and have been credbly informed, that not with.
standing his great debility al times, and the severe injury
in the battle of Contreras the only occasion when
he Oft duty from the time be landed Vera Cruz
oil he left the city OF Mexico for the States.
General Pillow, IN his report OF the stormng OF Che
pnepec, thus aludes TO the commander OF his first
brigade
81 regret that was deprived during the action Of my
brave talented aud accom- plshed gsdier Cen Pierce,
who confined a sick bed"
Such the official reports OF the conduct oil General
Pierce by his superors in command at the time. No
comment is necessary.
We will now furnish few extracts from the news
papers OF the day. Many more might be furnished but
we deem II unnecessary. Some OF them extracts from
letters from the army, and some the remarks OF editors
Extract from letter from officer in the 9Th regi.
meni 10 his friends al home Speaking OF Gen. Pierce
he says:
am sorry he is going, as don't know Of q who
that the soldiers would like well Bravery a great
way toward making man respected In the army, and
Genera Pierce has good reputation f1r that
his immedi,te commander, General Pillow / imagine
him upon that black horse Contreras He
gave a word Dr. filed past in a shower Of shot
saw him, too, Chufubusco, notwithstanding be
hardly able to sit on his horse, with the bullets Tying round
him"
Extract OF a letter from C. r. Low dated Mexico,
December, lS47:
To my great SURPRISE find that Gen. Pierce will leave
with the train for Vera Cruz He borne
hmself with great honor and usefuness general officer