Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-08-05
P @ L [ I [ C A j..
Gen. Pierce in Mexico.


The testimony to Gen. Pierce's gallantry
and efficient services in Mexico, o,-says the New
Hampshire Patriot,-from the brave and noble
officers who served with him, continues to come
out as the assaults of the federal press become
more vrulent. We copy the following from
the Louisiana Courier, which the editor says is
from gallant and distinguished gentleman,
trained to war and Injured TO its Perils, and who
has the most exalted opinion of Gen. Scott as
a soldier, and high regard for him as man."
We regret that the writer did not put his name
to this letter, for it would have added great
weight to his testimony. Such is the witness
who has volunteered his testimony in behalf of
gallant brother soldier, against the reckless,
wicked and distardly assaults Of band of po-
litical assassins who would attack the reputa-
tion of an angel that stood in the way of their
partisan ends. Let all men read his plain,
frank and truthful statement, and then ask
themselves what confidence can be placed in
men who are accusing Gen. Pierce of coward
ice, and declaring day after day, that he was
not in single one of the battles in Mex
leo -
NEW ORLEANS, July 8, 1859.
Col. J. F. H. Claiborne Dear Sir in the
New Orleans Bee of the Cd inst, perceive an
assertion relative to the military services of
Gen. Pierce, which is So erroneous and unjust
towards that gentleman, that, having had the
honor of serving with him, cannot allow it to
pass unrefuted others less charitable than the
Bee, have even gone so far as to accuse him
indirectly of colUdrdice! 1t was my luck dur
ing the war with Mexico, to see or hear of no
towards in our small but gallant army-es-
pecially amongst our General Officers, some of
whom, on the contrary, on too many occasions,
were but too rash and impetuous confounding
the duties of the sabaltern with those of the
commanding general, the proper position of
latter not being always at the head of his col
umns of attack, but wherever he can best see
to the execution of his orders; when, however,
they waver or falter, and victory becomes doubt
full, then, and not till then, does it become his
imperative duty TO put himself at their head,
and colors in hand, if need be, like Napolean
at Arcoe, show his soldiers the way to victory
or to glorious death
The article referred to says +" He (Gen. P)
was present at none of the battles fought by
Cen Scott and further on, that his only ex-
ploits during the war with Mexico, were lin
tied to '' fall from his horse and sprain ~
Now, this is bold assertion which arises, no
doubt, from proper want of information on
the subject, for the editors of the Bee are gen.
orally too Just and correct not to admit their
error after shall have stated what positively
know on the subject, either from what saw
personally or from the unquesiionable authori-
ty of eye witnesses. 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 $500 new levies, volunteers
and recruits for the army then at Puebla, not
withsianding all the difficulties he had TO en-
counter. He started from Vera Cruz on The
18th of July and after many difficulties en-
countered on the route, and being harassed
constantly by the guerillas, (Ripley's history of
the war with Mexico, P. l64, vol 2d) under
that celebrated chief and robber Padre Jarauta,
he arrived in safety with his command at Pue-
bla on the 9Th of Aug, "having lost but few
of his men from sickness and the desultory fire
of the guerillas."
Al the battle of Contreras had the oppor-
tunity 10 see him under a heavy fire of shells
and shot, before his horse had fallen upon him.
and saw nothing IN his manner and looks, not
(for this was rather different affair from his
guerilla wauare) which could have possibly
been interpreted as the sentiment of fear or
irresolution, let alone that of cOtodrdice On
the contrary, he appeared TO me quite at home
for a new hand at the business. | will no; as
sert, however, that he was fully of the opinion
of the Swedish hero at his first battle, that
the whistling of the balls was delightful mu-
sic to fight by - for | saw few who agreed en-
tirely with him in that respect, especially when
each solid shot that struck the pedregal, spread
death and destruction in every direction. But
he was in appearance far from being also of
Henry the Fourth's (of France) mind at his
first battle, ''that the whistling of the balls was
SO disagreeable to his nervous system that he
felt more like running away from than towards
the enemy" Yet, Notwithstanding this admls-
sion, but few battles afterwards his advice to
his officers was, 4" Gentlemen, follow my white
crested plume-you will always see it waving
wherever the danger is the greatest and the
fight the hottest, and it will always lead you on
to victory" To any one who has ever seen
the '' Pedregal' which had to be crossed at the
battle of Contreras, to get at the entrenched
camp of Valencia, the wonder is, not that the
Generals horse 'should have fallen and sprain-
ed the Generals foot,'' but that he should not
have broken his neck-for those who were dis
mounted had the utmost difficulty to get
across the broken and rugged country, and un-
der any other circumstances than those we
were placed in, we would have hesitated long
time before making the attempt. " Pierce s
brigade was at once ordered to the 'front.'
With his two remaining regiments, Pierce
pressed rapidly forward"
Mexican batteries played rapidly upon
his advance, but the troops were protected
by the inequalities of the ground from the
showers OF shot and shells with which they
were welcomed. Pierce was, however,
temporarily disabled by the fall of his horse,
which, stumbling in cleft of the rocks,
threw him heavily TO the ground'-(Ripley.
page 223.) Then again, he was no, horne
off to his TENT but remained on the field OF
battle the whole night, Notwithstanding it
was one of the stormiest it was ever our luck
to pass in an unprotected position. Cap
tain Magruder then thought of availing him.
sefo Pillows permission TO retire, with
his mullated battery,) 10 repair his losse:
and damages. Pierce, who, although quite
lnme, remained upon the field, opposed i
Tor some time, and it was not until The moor
was nearly down that be gave his consent
tR'piey, page 237.) fHe here refers, evi
dentiy, to the moon which shone occasional
~, ior at other times one could hardly SET
ones hand before ones face-as all those
who were there Gun well testily.)
The next morning when, BY the rapid ant
successful assault Of the fortified position O
Contreras by Smiths force. the broken roat
acToss the pedregal, which The even;no ha