The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-22

He served officer of eng neers in the Mexican war
and for the gaantry, skill and various accomplishments
OF the engineer displayed by him. he received high CON-
mendaon from the General in chief and distinction from
the government To all this add. especially that he is
lover OF the truth that those who read his defence
Of the gallant Pierce may be assured that there is nc
prevarication lurking in any line Of it.
II the wings hope 10 succeed by reckless aspesions OF
the character OF their presidential opponent, can tell
them that in State at least they will signally fail for
in Louisiana thousands of wings will unite with such
writers "a Looker-on in Venice" in denouncing such
base means VIM. H. CHASE,
Major OF Engineers
From Louisiana Courier.
Gen Pierce in Mexico.
New ORLEANS, July Sd, 1852
Col. J. r. H. Claiborne:
DEAR SIR: In the New Orleans Bee of The I'd inst
perceive assertion releve to the military services
of Gen Pierce, which is and unjust to-
wards that gentleman that, having had the honor Of
serving with him, cannot allow it to pass unrefpted ;
Others less charitable than the Bee have gone far
TO accuse him indirectly of eo0ardice 1t my luck
during the war with Mexico TO see or hear OF
ards in our small but gallant army-especiay among
our general officers some OF whom, the contrary,
on too many occasions, were but too rash and impetu
ous confoundng the dvtes of the subaern with those
OF the commanding general the proper position of the
latter not being always at the head OF his columns of
attack but wherever he best 10 the execution OF
his orders; when, however they wayer or faller and
victory becomes doubtful, them and till them does
become his imperative duty TO put himself at their head
and coors in hand, if need be, like Napoleon at Arcole
show his soldiers the way to victory or TO glorious
death
The article referred to says ale Gen p was present
at of the battles fought by Gen. Scott p and further
on, "that his only exploits during the with Mexico
were limited to fall from his horse and spran ~
Now this is bold assertion, which no doubt from
proper want of information the subject for the edi-
tors of the Bee are generally too just and
admit their after shall have stated what posi-
lively know the subject either from what saw per-
sonay or from the unquestonabe authority of wit
In the first place. few days after the arrival OF
Gen. Pierce at Vera Cruz, in the month Of july he had
organized and equipped nearly 1850 levies, voun-
and recruits, for the army then Puebla, notwth-
standing all the difficulties he bad TO encounter. He
started from Vera Cruz the 10Th Of July, and after
many difficulties encountered the route. and being ha-
raised constantly by the gueras (Rpley's history OF
the with Mexico, p 1914, vol 3D. under that cele-
brated chief and robber Padre Jafauia he arrived in
safety with his command Pueba on the 9th OF August
having lost but few Of his from sickness and the
desuiory fire of the guerillas"
Al the battle of Contreras had the opportunity TO see
him under heavy fire OF shells and shot, before his
horse bad fallen upon him, and nothing his
and looks notwithstanding the novelty OF the position
10 him. (for this was rather different affair from his
guerilla warfare.) which could have possibly been IN.
erpreed the sentiment OF fear esoluton, let alone
that OF coUardieel On the contrary, he appeared 10 me
to be quite at home for new hand a, the business.
will not assert, however, that he fully OF the opin
ion of the Swedish hero al his first battle, 'that The
whisng OF the balls was delightful music s fight by !"
for saw few who agreed entirely with him in that
spect especially when each solid shot that struck the
pedrga spread death and destruction in every direc-
lion. But he in appearance FAR from being also OF
Henry the Fourth's (of France) mind at his fret battle,
hat the whisng oil the balls dsagreeable 10 his
nervous system that he felt like running away
from than towards the enemy" Yet notwithstanding
this admission, but few battles afterwards his advice
10 his officers was "Gentlemen, follow my white crested
plume-you will always see II waving wherever the
danger is the greatest and the sgbt the hottest, and IL
will always lead you on TO victory" To any one who
has ever seen the PedrgaP which had be crossed at
the battle OF Conlreras TO get at the enenched camp o
Valencia, the wonder is, not that the Generals horse
"should have faeH and sprained the Generals foot"
but that he should have broken his neck for those
who were dismounled had the utmost difficulty 10 gel
that broken and rugged country, and under any
other circumstances than those placed IN, we
would have bestaed long time before making the at
tempt "Pierce's brigade was at once ordered 10 the
front With bis two remaining regiments, Pierce press
ed rapidly forward"
:" The Mexican batteries played rapidly upon his ad.
vance; but the troops protected by the inequalities
OF the ground from the showers If shot and shells with
which they were welcomed Pierce was, however, tenn
poray disabled by the fall Of his horse, which, stumb
ling 10 a cleft OF The rocks threw him heavily 10 the
ground" (Rpley, page 223) Then, again, he not
borne of TO bis tent but remained the field OF battle
the whole night, notwithstanding was one OF the storm
lest was ever our luck pass unprotected posi-
ton" Capt,in Magruder then thought OF awaiting
himself OF Pillows permission 10 retire, with bis muii
lated baiery 10 repair his losses and damages Pierce,
VINO, Vulte upon tue OPP
posed II for some ne and II was not until the moon
nearly down that he gave his consent" (Rpley, p
237) tHe here refers, evidently TO the moon which
sbone occasionally; for at other times could hardly
ones hand before ones face, all those who were
there well testily)
The next morning. when, by the rapid and successful
assault oil the fortified position OF Conireas by Smiths
force the broken road the pedrigal, which the
evening before had been enhaded by powerful battery
Of twenty-five guns, had been thrown open, General
Pierce mounted his horse again, Notwithstanding the
pain he abofng under, aud reoined the head
OF his brigade on It's way to the bloody field Of Churu
busco
There, when General Scott found that resistance 10
front too obstinate, he ordered Immediately General
Pierce 10 10 left and take the enemys position
rear and afterwards ordered General Shields sup.
port the movement These two gallant officers marched
AT the head OF their brIgades to the attack OF the Mexi
cans, who "ounumbered them at least five TO one and
the time they (the Mexicans) obtained proiec
on by advancing into the ditch along the causeway be-
sides being hidden from their opponents By the dense
growth Of maguey. Under the dangerous aspect Of
Affairs, strenuous exertlons made 10 The
formation and make good the battle. Shields and his
staff Pierces staff or that General, suffering from the
injury OF his fall The previous day, unable 10 give
his personal ationtion) In fact the great portion OF the
officers did all which il possible 10 do, and finally
order was restored. "-(Ripley, p. 262-5)
Now the General kept his horse at the head OF his
column as long the nature OF the ground had permit
ted II but when he had got the field the enemys
line, along the road TO the city OF MEXICO from the
OF the es dep3nt in advance OF th bridge Of Cburubusco,
the ground became cut up with wide and deep bitches
that having aghted from hs horse endea advance
still further be soon became exhausted from the intense
pain he was suffering. and which every effort OF his
Increased ten fold he stlast found utterly impossible to
go any further and Notwithstanding he was exposed
ali IN hna ~ .Lort hal