Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1852-10-23
A Brilliant passage I'm American
HfStOrY,

written oy an eye WITNESS VINO served
the carnpuign under General ScoTT-M Nj
WayIand, editor Of the Journal
From the Lowell Journal ofthe l4th inst.
GEN. SCOTS TRIUMPHANT EN-
TRY INTO THE CITY OF MEX
ICO AS A CONQUEROR--HIS DE
PARTURE FROM II AS A PRIs
/ ONER.
| Five years ago this morning Genera
lSe.oTT, at the head of bis brilliant Stat
made his triumphant entry into the All
cient capital Of the Aztecs. He had d
ready ordered portion Of the troops 10 III
Igrand Plaza, aud as, Mt a Et,le nfter min
o'clock, he rode up from the western gar
ita among them in full uniform, an
mounted on his splendid charger, 'lie rpec
tacle was one Of deep and thrilling iuieres
to every American. Tie stars and stripe
Aoated to the breeze from the Nationa
Palace. The old Cathedral loomed mag
nticently mp OH one side Of the square
and from the balconies Of the old Curse:
edifices on the other, The Spanish ant
Mexican girls were seen TO wave she
white kerchiefs as enbems Of peace, mix
silent petitions OF favor from The advanc
ing conqueror. Beneath the pillars Of itlt
bazaar, and under the shadow of the Ca
tbedral, might he seen grim Mexicans
scowling IRON their seraplis and heneaH
their broad soinbferos--wonderstr nj
the idea of their beautiful Capital Of ESQ.,.
900 sors having thus fallen into the hands
of less than eight thousand American
troops. As the General rode through the
Grand Plaza a--anid the Yankee blue jack.
cts drawn mp in perfect order Oh either
side, and the heavy cannon. whose tbun.
ders but the day before were heard with
such fearful effect at Chepultepec. ranged
here and lhere--all discipline for the mo.
inent seemed to be forgotten by the gal.
laut soldiers. They loved their chief al
most to alteration. They had been with
him in his perilous march from Vera
Cruz, and had followed him into the blaze
of every victorious battIe-field-and now
on this morning to see him triumphantly
entering the enemies Capital. their hearts
thrilled with Joy and exultalion. Throw
ing off all restraint, as the old hero came
forward on his prancing steed, the hearty
hu5sas and cheers rent .he air, long and
lound As the General took off his cap,
in acknowledgement Of the cordial greet.
ing from his victorious men, one of the
bands struck up our national mir, and
again and louder than before, the huzzas
broke from the lips Of the exnltant troops.
General Scorr dismonnting at the gate of
the National Palace, entered the grand
hall or saIoon--from which the edicts OF
the Viceroys and Governors and Presi-
dents for centuries had been issued--anj
immediately wrote an order announcing
his occupancy Of the Mexican capital.
In that anfouncement--a copy Of which
is before rs, he says, and beautifully SAYS,
"Umder the favor of God the valor OF the
army, after mauy glorious victories, has
hoisted the colors Of our country in the
capital OF Mexico, and on the palacc' OF
its government The honor of the army.
and the honor OF the country call for the
best behavior on the part Of all. The val.
lent, must, to obtain the appreciation OF
God aud country, be sober, orderly, and
merciful. His noble brethren in arms will
not be deaf to this appeal from their com.
mander and friend" On the afternoon Of
the same day General ScoTT again adj
dressed the troops in these wortls--"The
General.in-C Chief call. upon his brethren
in arms to return, both in public and pri.
vate worship, thanks and gratitude to
God FOR the signnl rinmphs which they
have recently achieved fr their country.
Beginning with the 9Th of August and
ending the 14th instant, this army has
CALAMITY fought its way through the fields
md forts of Contreras, San Anfonio, Chur-
ibasco, kMoliuo del Rey, Chapallepec.
md the gates Of Sau Cosno aud Tacnbaya, |
n the apilaI OF Mexico. When the very
united numbers who have performed such |
brilliant deeds shall have become known,
he world will be astonished aud our /
ountrymen filed with Joy and adlnira.
ion."
In such fitting language did the victori.
ms conqneror address the men under his
uponhis triumphant entry into
he Mexican capital. How we'll his
words were needed. aaid with what devo.
ion and patriotism lie proceeded at once
0 the work Of securing the great object
i his lnission--an honorable peace-is
noWn TO the nation aud TO the world.
Fhefe never was an army whose bearing
nd conduct in conquered country, Sas
he American army in Mexico. Upon its
n.rance into the capital, The Republic
ad no government, and it therefore be-
anne the first duty of General SCoTT 10
i've the people an administration which
Ilould protect them intlleirrights Of prop
rty, and M their religions observances..
Iere it was that The victorious chief dis
Iayed those high civil and ad,nnistra- 4
I'VE talents, which won tile admiration Of
he whole army. and proved bis uli4les-
onable claim to the possession OF the
igiler attributes Of the statesman as well L,
S the. soldier. We shalt not dwell
lrther upon the administration ef affairs
nrina General SCoTr's occupancy ot
fexlco. than TO say tllat it was brilliant, ,
nd in all respects successful. Through |
Is devotion, perseverance aud iucessant
bors. peace also was finally secured. 4,
We have briefly sketched the Conquer
III trinmpIsnt ellirance into the Nation.
Palace on tie morning Of September /,
atl,. But now the scene changes -and
il picture is reversed. lii precisely six
onths, 10 day, from the date OF his own i
aE -