Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-06-09
GEN. PIERCE.

Our readers will doubtless be duly thankful for
any information we can give them in respect to
the past history, civil and military, of the Demo-
cratic candidate for the Presidency. We can
not PROMISE however, to shed much light on this
subject as yet. Our locofoco contemporaries, to
whom we look for nformation have furnished
few particulars of General Pierces career, but the
knowledge which they afford is meager and un-
satisfactory to the last degree. The Historic
Muse, it would seem, if she has not altogether
forgotten to record the deeds ofthe New Hamp-
shire warrior and statesman, has at least preserv-
ed but an obscure and imperfect memorial of his
achievements in the council and in the field
The musty archives of the country must be raked
from the dust of oblivion and ransacked for the
evidences Of his valor his craftsmanship and his
claims upon the gratitude of his country men,
The friends of the new candidate are doubtless
this task, and we shall soon be richly rewarded
with the results of their antiquarian researches
Gen. Pierce was born in Hillsborough county,
New Hampshire, in the year 1905. He was
graduated according to some authorities at OAR
mouth, and according to others at Bowdoin Col
lege, He represented his native county for seve-
raj years in the New Hampshire Legislature, and
was elected to the lower House of Congress in
1888. During his first Congress, (says the Re-
pubie,) he served member of the Judiciary
Committee, and discharged his representative
duties without saying or doing much that is spe-
cially remembered. In his second Congressional
term he distinguished himself by his hostility to
harbor and river improvements. In june 1886,
he voted against the bill making additional ap-
preparations for the Delaware breakwater, and
for certain harbors, and removing Instructions in
and at the mouths of certain rivers and for other
purposes, for the year 1885, few days SUISSE
quently, General Jackson signed the bill. At the
same session Mr.. Pierce voted against the bill
making appropriations for the improvement of
certain harbors therein mentioned which was
also afterwards approved by Gen. Jackson. At
the same session he voted against the bill to COR
tinue the Cumberland road in the States of Ohio
Indiana and Illinois, This was on the 2eth of
June and on the I'd of July Gen. Jackson signed
that very Cumberland Road bill. There is no
noise or confusion to prevent us from arriving at
Mr.. Pierces opinions on this question of improve
ments. He is against all improvements-of
roads, rivers and harbors-by the Federal Gov
eminent, and committed against them on the
journals of the House positively and repeatedly"
Mr.. Pierce entered the United States Senate
in 1887, and remained member of that body
until 1912 when he resigaed his seat. His most
elaborate speech in the Senate was against the
bill for the reliefof General Harrison's widow.
When the Mexican war broke out, Mr. Pierce
volunteered as private soldier and was appointed
Brigadier General by Mr.. Polk. He was present
at some of the battles in the valley of Mexico
His achievements recounted as follows in
memoir prepared for the New Yotk Herald by
one of his friends:
When he reached Contreras, he met Gen. Scott and
under him engaged in the battle there There was deep
rayine between the United States troops and the Next
cans The enemy drawnup the other side in bat
tie array, and with his batteries all placed The order
was given to charge and ouank them In charging down
the round shot Of the enemy flying their heads
and ploughng up the ground General Pierce cutting at
them with his sword Tould say, There, boys, game
Of ball for YOU In this charge his horse fell rolled
upon him. He was severely injured, aud the horse was
disabled He mounted another horse and joined the fight
He suffered great pain all night and could not sleep The
surgeon ordered him not to into the teid next day
That night they had laid and the rain was terrible
and the surgeon advised him go back San Augustine
where there depot; but he would not. He was de-
serrnined go ChuruDusco.
charge this battle both his brigade and thar OF