Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1852-08-12
From the Nashville Union OF the 18th ultl
Letter from Gen. Pillow.
us OPINION or FRANKLIN PIECE.

HIS OPINION OF FRANKLIN PIERCE
COLUMBIA, Tenn, July s, 1852.
AS everything touching the character Of Gen. Pierce,
as well the opinion of our public interests
the public, have thought it not improper give you,
for publication. extract Of private letter OF the late
president Polk written myself the 18th day OF
May, lS47, and delivered in the city Of Puebia,
Mexico. The extract is as follows Wis
: Your two Bngadier-Generals, Pierce and CadwAl-
ader who will be under your immediate command are
noble men, Gen. Pierce is now the first man in New
England. He is of fine talents. He is my per-
so9al friend, and you may fully confde in him. He
wl'h me in the House OF Representatives for several
years, and was afterwards in the Senate Gen Csdwal
ader Is gentleman Of high character and Of decided
military reputation. You may well be proud of two
such officers under your commando
vi General Cadwallader, who is before the coun-
try, II is not my purpose 10 make any remark. His
character Tor gallant conduct and chvarc bearing has
been, and will be, questioned Nor should
deem it necessary to add single remark to the para.
graph fully expressive of the opinion Of late dis
ngushed ExPresident of the nation, except for the
very unjust, bera and false reflections upon the con.
duct Of Gen. Pierce, while officer Of the army in
Mexico by certain presses and by Senator Jones
and Mr.. Netherlend, of Tennessee.
In the operations of the army in the valley Of Mexico
that Gen Pierce fully sustained the exalted opinion Of
Elk President Polk will be seen BY reference to the re-
ports Of Major Generals Scott and Worth and those of
my own. These dispatches all prepared with a
personal knowledge Of the gallant bearing Of Gen.
Pierce, and time and under circumstances exempt
ing those officers from any possible motive oyerest-
mate the Importance of his services the character of
bis conduct
The reports of the first and last OF these officers agree
IN the statement of fact, that General Pierce
verey injured by the fall of bis horse the ocks Of the
Pedrgal, while gaanty leading his brigade IN the bat.
tie of Conreras They also bear full testimony the
iact that though badly injured he might have retired
to the hospital disabled for duty and Through barely
able keep his saddle" yet he remained upon duty and
led has gallant brigade into the bloody battle Of Churu
busco, and continued in its command until overcome by
exhaustion and pain, he tainted fell IRON his horse and
was horne from the field.
When is know to the country that the whole army
including Gen Perce had been upon duty from early
on the morning OF the 18th till late the day the 2Oth
OF August, without refreshments repose, and thar
Gen. Pierce badly injured by the fall Of his horse
that he lay upon the field and in the midst of the Pedr
gal all night and that next day he 'berely able
keep his saddle before this long aud bloody battle COM
menced after long and hot pursuit of the enemy hen
these facts known the country they those
who shared in the glores and suffering OF that field
persuaded that will either feel express sur
prise that Gen Pierces physical strength with
long continued suffering, pain and exhaustion should
have given way and that he should have tainted and
fallen from his horse But ii is presuminq great deal
suppose that those who bore him from the field shou/
not have known the difference between an officer wb1
physical strength was actually over-tasked AM in
state oil total hepessness and unconscousness ona
who had from timidity, affected this condition
But tits impossible for intelligent people to believe
that had officer of Gen. Perce's rank nd command
so acted, his Immediate division eommar der end G.
Scott himself, and Generals Worth and sbied.N,h
former OF these his associate tbs field the Lara
commanding him in that part Of itwould all have CON-
CURED in making false reports tn the ,,,ya-.o.
thus dishonoring themselves TO screen from oari,od &
demnatlon and disgrace officer who had b.seIv and
cowardly shrunk from duty Those who entertain this
opinion utterly discredit and dshonor all those officers
and among them Gen. Scott himself; for upon no otbeT
superstition the character and conduct of Gen
Pierce orcourage and galantry be called in question
why not call IN question that Of General Scott himseI1
Because during the battle Of Contreras he was with
the exception OF short period, San Augustine while
during that Of Churubusco be was at Coycan and durn
the battle OF Moline del Rey and during tho storming Of
Chepultepec he was at Tacubava. And vet who has
done sol Gen. Scott night been nearer these
fields. He was, however, enough to successfuIIv
direct the operations Of the army as the result fully
shows.
He knew that the army required not his Immediate
presence TO inspire to deeds of courage and heroic
daring. He knew that results would be obtained by
unnecessarily exposing his person, and hence he pru
IDENTIFY and wisely occupied positions, though somewhat
remote from which he could safely direct the operations
of the army Yet 1t would be reasonable and just
to reflect upon General Scots conduct and character for
galantry as General Pierce's.
IL General Pierce had sought less active parcipa-
ton in these bloody operations the wound he received
by the fall of his horse would have thrown him ont Of
the after operations and he would las he could with
honor) have retired the hospital his tent dis
abled for duty, and thus have avoided all risk the
battle Of Churubuseo If lowing the injury he re-
ceved the 18th he had less disnn mart than
Did others, yet his participation by neg
alive one.
An officer, who won honorable mention for gaantry
and good conduct, IN battles where all had full and
glorious share, in the official reports Of every officer
lpon the field who bis senior (including Gen Scott
limself) could have performed negative part upon
1ther fields and among officers less distinguished his
services would have satisfied the highest aspirations Of
The most ambitious soldier
Having personal knowledge Of the facts here stated
feel duty of honor them, in vindication nf
he character of brother officer, uniustly reflected
lpon BY those knowing personally nothing of the faes
Ind know myself, would not, by silence, acqul-
in any false statement before the public, deeply
Sounding the pride and sensibities Of American
oloer, whether Wing or Democrat.
have wish to throw myself before public, into
he canvass before the country TO make any
With any portion Of the press. Neither do seek OF
wish collision with any gentleman Of the Wing party
have the honor Of personal acquaintance end Of kind
elasns, with both the gentlemen named above, OF
nv State, and mention their names that may be
Understood correcting their statements-based, as
oppose upon erroneous information. But be this ash
nay, the imputaon unjust, is false, and calumEous
am, sir, with great respect,
Your ohelient servant,
GIDEON J. PILLOW.