New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-07-08
General Scott and the Catholics.

To he Editor Of The " L. IFiopHe'
In assuming, as YOU do, as a matter of
course that the charge of Rev. Mr. Fuller is correct
and that Gen Scott did, "when In command of our
army in Mexico, order his men TO kneel to a Roman
Catholic procession as 1t passed" think you are
In error and do General Scott injustice. | am per-
suaded that his regard to the conscientious scru'
pies of his Protestant soldiers would have pre-
vented his giving any such orders feur own
case and that Of other Protestants travelling In
Catholic countries not parallel You, and they,
could if you pleased avoid the professions and there
fore very proper that you should either avoid
them conform to the customs of the country but 1t
was not so with the Protestant soldier duty often con-
peltd him to be present. and II would have been the
hight of intolerance 10 compel him to bow down " 10
was soldier of the old Rsgular Army during the
whole Mexican campaign was with Gen. SCOTT In the
City of Mexico; have frequently seen roman Catholic
professions pass through the streets, and have never
once seen Protestant soldier knee-nor do believe
they ever were required by Gen. sCoTT, TO kneel or
that they ever did kneet II ne ever asd give such an
phOWt single days iEteymssIoR, during the whole Pc
Rod Of his command
But. MIR. Editor will tell you what know that Gen.
SCoTT did do and which shows the goodness OF HE
heart and bis kind feeling toward the Catholics much
more than The compelling his Protestant soldiers TO
knee 10 the Host would have done. / know that he
WA kind and compassionate 10 the SICK ana wounded
prisoners and that he voluntarily and without ex-
chhnge freed poor Catholics from their prisons
and restored them their families Permit me 10 re-
late two instances Of feeling that fell under my
| own sbserv alton After the battles Of Contrerss aud
ChuTubusco, the wounded officers were placed In the
church Of the small village OF San Geronimo. On visit
ing then with the surgeon my attention was called 10
| Colonel who was badly wounded, and seemed 10 be
| suffering more mental than physical agony On In
curing the of his distress learned that he mad
left wife and two children 10 the city and that bis dis
trees arose from the agony his absence and supposed
death would cause them. told him that the generosity
| and kindness OF Commander were well known,
and that did not doubt but that be would take some
measures to alleviate his distress So soon as my du
ties per united rode from Cogscau, where was sta.
iOI ed, TO IGcubaya the Generals headquarters and
having solicited an interview, represented in lew
words the case of the poor wounded Mexican Colonel
The General Immediately acceded to my request, and
allowed him 10 20 10 the city parole, ana be was
think, the day restored TO his family On subse
quent visit TO the General in the presence OF one other
officer the General speaking of the capture OF the
city, and the feeling in which he spoke OF the
probable loss, impressed meyeTy deeply he said |
shall take the city, but will cost the lives Of q think
three hundred men, and then pausing, he added,
What melancholy price to pay for It
The prisoners captured in the several battles In the
valley were confined In prisons in the city The Cstho
lie Archbishop OF Mexico applied to Gen SoorT for the
release OF these poor soldiers, basing his apple
the pea Of humanity and Of the qualification such an In
stance OF cemency would give the Mexican people
Gen ScoTr not only complied with the wishes of the
Archbishop but did II in manner so grateful 10 the
feelings OF the Mexican people to call forth the espe
es thanks of the Archbishop only for the restora
lion of these poor creatures TO the blessing Of liberty
and 10 their families but for the very kind and cOnsid
crate manner In which the favor was conferred.
These are a few Of my "reminiscences (of which
| have many more) of Gen SCOTrS catholic federation
while in Mexico II you think them worth Insertion
in your paper, they are al your disposal SOLDIER
| I'VE have the name OF the writer of the fore
goine.-Ed.1