Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1852-10-02
SKETCH 0FTHELIFE OF GEN. PIERCE
Democratic Candidate for the Presidency.
CONTINUED

CONTINUED
General fierce's headquarters for sboH
time,were at the fremont House, Boston. where
with his noble and gallant friend. the lamenter
Ransom, he engaged diligently and energetically
in the work Of preparation There, as he de.
parted Tor The Fost of duty and danger, he took
leave OF mary friends. One of them EXPRESSED
hope that he would return in safety and in hon
or. 81 will tome back with honor, or Twill not
ccme back. was his reply.
General Pierce sailed from Newport in the
harqne Kepler Many of The troops on board
being sick, sltI're from The want of water, bav
| ing been PLACED on short allowance. General
Fierce, on receiving his allowance, mingled with
the suffering soldiers and made them share his
part. II was but the commencement of the uni.
versal care for the brave men under him. and nm
! llGfm kindness and attention TO :hem that was
characteristic of his nature and marked his whole
course through the campaign. Tie arrived at
Vera Cruz June 70. Here he encoeniered
| pes'lenIal camp, and was himself taken sick
Sill he was ever mindful of his companions In
arms. He lent funds freely to the needy, and
was often seen among the weaIed soldiers cheer.
ing them on In spite Of disease his loss here
was but trifing; and, after, DELAYS to procure ma
terials whicl the future comfort, safety, and
health of his command render absolutely neces-
sary, he Ief Vera Cruz in the middle of the hot
month Of Ju|Y, with one of the largest reinforce.
mtnts and most extensive trains that had started
for the interior since General SCOTS departure.
His brigade consisted of the ninth regiment,
New England men; The twelfth men from Texas.
Missouri, Arkansas, northern Mississippi, and
lhn Hlapnth raisaJ IN IA
Michigan, the eastern part of Missouri, and the
western part of lndiana-n all about lweLly>fye
hundred men. His line of march was beset by
Ne1icans and guerilla bands, determined to in.
iercept oil rrntorcements on their way to the A.
merican commander, and do the work of plum.
der aud massacre; and the Object of General
Pierce was, not 10 seek encounters with the enc
my, but TO present 10 his superior the greatest
number OF troops in the best condition that il
was possible for him to do.
On the first of August General Pierce, at Per.
ote, advised General Scott of the state of his
command. Il consisted to a great extent, of
northern recruits, able and willing men, and IN
fine condition, so far as health was conc erned
lie had lost but one marf by the vomito AT Vera
Cruz,and none by that disease on the march; and |
though the bridge nj San Juan had been partial |
ly destroyed, the main arch at Plan del Rio had |
been blown up, and he had been five times at. |
lacked, yet be says he had really encountered |
nothing that could he construed into serious re
sisance. 81 shall bring to your command" the |
General informs his chief about twenty four
hundred Of all arms. Tomorrow morning, al
our O'Clock, | shall leave here for Puebla, and
shall make the march in five days"
General Pieerce joined General Scott at Pue>
nla, August 9, with his command in fine cond-
ION. Va the next day, August Z, the American
lrmy moved forward 10 fight the great battles of
he valley OF Mexico. which resulted in the wav.
ng oi the American flag over The halls Of the
hontszumas. II is not necessary 10 describe
vents so honorable TO the officers who directed
hem and to the country that sent them forth. -
will be sufficient 10 state, in a concise and
urinary wy, such personal service as fell 10
lr lot OF General Pierce. His whole career n
y Mexico, from the time be landed in Vera !
,ruE until he Iefi the conquered CITY, was Of such
character as TO have won the admiration of q
ne officers Of The regular army. aud the love of
le men. He eIhibued gallaniry before the en-. {
my, and proved himself, in the words Of one Of d
le old officers who saw him act "emiaeaHy The 8
-ieHd and father Of his command" c
General Pierce was al Vera Cruz with tTen- ;
'-fve hundred men in June, IsI7, when, con- f
afy to his expectations. be was obliged to re. n
ain more than three weeks in Consequence Of y
e want Of requisite provisions, while be was
r more than tour weeks in the terra oalienie, S
e vomito region. Al length be marched from Q
era ruz with a train, which, when closed up. v
tendrd two miles. He went through a coun- b
and over road strong in natural deiences, h
'arning with guerillas. doggsd at every step by b
WY enemy. with constan, alarms. aud rpports G
atiaeks, and was assaulted six times on bis h
ieh; and yet be reached PUebla without the th
: ct single wagon. and with bis command in ID
? order. The conduct Of the general in this ac
Ireh-his energy. his sleepless vigilance. cool in
IS 10 difficulty, good judgment and skill in a. q
ilng himself ot the services af bic siafT-won 8
highest cncomiuBs from military men Of the 2.
line, and ELECTED the warm cou1mendsfiops Of 4,
neral Scott. This march alone proved him "a
possess The qualities Of an able and successful hs
n
Genera fiefes vss in seiion q; the National ?.