Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1852-10-01
A Soldiers Choice,

Soldiers Choice.
Gen, john Cocks, formerly in Congress from
Tennessee, has written letter contradictng
report in the Pierce journals of his State that
lie was opposing Gen. Scott. He says he is ia
for him to The end and asks the Editor TO copy
the following letter from volunteer in the
Mexican War from his county--as follows:
SEvlERvILLE, Friday, Aug. 6, 1852.
To THE Editor | learn by the newspapers
that some man in Little Kentuck" has become
very angry at me because !, a Democrat, should
support my old commander, Gen. Scott. had
supposed this was free country, and that a
man had right to vote for whom ne pleased.
The writer of that article says that | am a con-
vert. In that you are correct; | tcaS a Demo-
crat, and at first felt like supporting Pierce ;
but when | remembered the trials and dangers
had gone through while under Scott, did not
feel that could do my feelings justice and vote
against him. When thought of the long and
toIlsome march from Vera Cruz to the City Of
Mexico, when we were fifty days in the heart
of an enemy'- country, cut off from all supplies,
as well from all communication with our
own country and friends, surrounded by guer-
ras on every side and when you heard of US
again we had planted the star-spangled banner
upon the Halls OF the Montezumas, and it was
still floating triumphantIy in the breeze over as
brave an army and as noble commander as
ever went forth TO battle and when heard my
brave old commander abused | could stand it
no longer. Well do | remember with what
kindness he visited the sick and wounded in
that campaign, and how lie mnistered to their
wants day after day. tell you, Mr. Editor,
the officers and soldiers under his command
loved hun. You, my brother soldiers rene m
Der how he visited The hospitals in the City OF
Mexico, and how he administered to the wants
Of the sck-furnshlng each man with shirt
blanket, pair Of shoes and one dollars worth
OF tobacco; ard |, for one, drew all these com
forts, and knapsack also, as did all others
who lost theirs in battle. But now am to be
abused because | choose to vote for my kind,
generous, noble and brave old commander
and that, too, by man who fires from beh nd
marked battery, and won't sign his name.
venture the man that has written against
me, and who is trying TO tear down Scott never
slept on wet biauket; never stood sentry at
night Tor his country was never put on halt
ratons and hard crackers, and was never COM
PEELED to drink warm water, unless it was to
work off dose of physc. But if am not
mistaken, in November neXt we will give you
hasty plate Of Scott soup, that you Wi, tnd
warm enough for your comfort, and the water
of 1t shall be real Niagara water.
But SAID the soldiers under SCOTS COM
mand loved him. You, brother soldiers, re-
member when he was arrested you remember
the morning lie left the army for tn, United
States, and what was done that day; YES, eve,
ry regiment marched round his quarters, clad
with IA badIe oi mourning, in order to show
how they honorcd and loved him. You know
we had orders not to cheer but one of the VOL
unteer companies was obliged TO cheer and
break the solemn silence, and cheer they did,,
IhIs was company OF Sharr-shooters who
took part at Vera Cruz and Cerro Gordo and
who did so much OF the guerrilla fighting ON the
road to the valley Of AeXico. They were a
noble set OF fellows, and did their duty to man.
on a remember how slow and s,urcishv we
marched up the hill that brought Us in view Of
the capital, before the battle Of Cuntreras, and,
on arriving at the top of 1t, there was our old
commander looking through his spy-gass and
crying out to Us as we passed him: "Bays, the
capital, the capital The capital" NV fellow
soldiers, how d,d you feel IN that hour! Didn't
you tee new life take mold of your weary, toll =
worn limbs and were we not led on from VIC
tory to victory until Scott was arrested and torn
away from his nobe army by his own Govern
ment But, by the blessing of God, we will
try and be with him again in November and
wherever Scott leads victory is sure. News
papers may talk about Sewer County falling of
live hundred votes, and all that kind of stuff
but with old Scot, as our leader, she will rul
up the largest Wing vote she ever gave. The
"pne-knot' boys who served und d.r him are
here, and they will count in any crowd
And now, fellow soldiers, lets give "a long
pull, strong pull, and pull altogether" tor
our brave old chletan, General Scott. "Eye.
rght," forward march,
J. w. SHIELDS.