The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-07-14


tired to view the scene''
General Pierce was all anxiety to be with his
command, and the doctor told him he must remain
still, as he did not know the extent Of his injury
besides, that his command in good hands,
(Col. Ransom's,) and he could be Of 10 immediate
benefit to his brigade.
AS the General recovered strength he asked
whether my horse was safe, and receiving an affirm
alive answer. said, "Then will try him" said,
" fear you will not be able to keep the saddle;' to
which he replied, a. | am not, then you must tie
me there % Then with authority that put fur
Their remonstrance out of the question, he demand
ell to be assisted, and he mounted the rocks again.
Having got TO McGruder's battery, he took
the horse of Lieut.. Johnson, who had but just been
wounded, Che died that EVENING" while was Or
dered to the rear TO get ammunition for the how
itzer battery, commanded by Lieutenant Calender,
who, think, owes his life to General Pierce.
found General P's injured horse and conveyed
him 10 the rear, and although had him in the city
of Mexico, he never did any good He was turn
ed loose in the wagon yard, in the rear of the quar-
tiers Of the 9Th infantry, near " La Cessna Gate" "
where he died from the effects the injuries received
on the 18th. He had broken the stife Joint and torn
his foot nearly off When returned with his
black horse, presented to General Pierce by the
ladies of Concord it was evening, and the firing
ccasng, General P. had dismounted, and was suf-
fering much He lay that night upon the field, on
an old wagon cover and as the first shot brought
all hands to their feet upon the memorable morning
of the 2oth-the morning that stamped General
Pcrsiicr Smith as tactician, and Shields noble
as brave, General Pierce again in the saddle,
and his brigade entered the field Of Contreras, now
being won by the galantry of those who worked
themselves to the rear of that position, in night
u NN' N'''' N'"' ""4 a york York DRAGON.
The letter Of General PIERCE, to which
We allude above, bears the date MeXoque,
Mexico, August 81, 1847, and was pub
lished soon after in the Post. 1t was ad-
dressed to a relative. We quote all of it
that relates to the battles of Contreras
and Churubusco. 1t will be seen that he
makes no allusion to his having tainted at
Contreras, and we incline to think that
the correspondent of the Times has rather
overdone that part of the affair. We
think that the two accounts taken together
furnish all that is material in regard to the
services rendered by General PIERCE in
the two battles to which they relate:
"Thc official reports of the great battle of Mexi-
will probably reach you soon as this letter,
and | shall, therefore, not attempt to give you
minute details. 1t was fierce and bloody beyond
any thing that has occurred in this war. The bat
tie differed in many respects from that at Buena
Vista. There General Taylor received the enemy
in strong position selected by himself. Our force
on the Goth consisted of less than 5000 men the
Mexican force, within supporting distance and en-
gagged, undoubtedly exceeded 10000. We attack
ed him in position, upon ground Of his own selsc-
ton, admirably fortified. You will distinguish, so
far numbers concerned, between the battle OF
the morning and that of the atternoon--although
| spoken of in official reports engagement
under the designation of The battle of Mexico.
Zone of the regiments Of my brigade (the 18th,
| lost, in killed and wounded one-third of its entire
| force. In killed and wounded we number not less
than one 1000; and among them, lament to say
unusual proportion Of officers. My horse a
full speed on the evening of the 18th, when leading
my brigade through perfect shower of round sho
and shells, fell under me upon ledge of rocks, by
which sustained severe in Jury by the shock and
bruises; but especially by severe sprain in my le
| knee which came under him. During the afternoon
Of the 18th, we had gained advantages over the
enemy, who remained firmly entrenched with
| 1000 men opposed TO about 1000 our side
houitwt the possibility of bringing our artillery to
bear. You will readily conceive that our situation
| was not the most agreeable. The morning of the
Goth was, however, brilliant the night of the
! 18th was dark and gloomy. Soon after day ligh
the enemy's works were carried with the bayonet
and Of their 1000 men, regular troops, under the
command of General Valencia, probably 1000 can
| not be found to-day. We continued
our pursuit until one O'Clock, when our front came
up with the enemy's strong works at Churubusce
and San Antonio, where the great conflict in the
| afternoon commenced. At San Angel, dispositions
having been made to attack in reverse the enemy's
works on the San Augustine road General Scot
ordered me to march my brigade, in concert with
that Of the intrepid General Shields across the oper
country between Santa Catarina and the above
named road in order to OFF the enemy's retreat
| We gained the position sought, and although the
enemy's line was perfectly formed, and extended sc
far the eye could reach in either direction, they
were attacked vigorously and successfully. Ar
irving at ditch, which it was impossible for my
horse to leap, dismounted, and hurried forward
brigade, for 300 or 800 yards, when turning sud
denly upon my knee the cartilage of which had beer
seriously injured, tainted and fell upon the bank
in the direct range, and within perfect reach of the
enemy's fire That escaped seems to me now
! provdential"