The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-09-01
Capfain Callender's Letter.
AUGUSTA, (Me., Aug. 6. 1883

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DEAR Sir: As furnishing full and de-
tailed answer to your inquiries respecting
the conduct and bearing Of Gen. Pierce ia
Mexico. beg leave to refer you to the en-.
closed letter from Major Winship, which
contains complete and conclusive vindi-
cation Of his old commander, Gen. Pierce,
from the vile assaults made upon him by
vile traducers Of his fair fame.
know Major Winship personally. "A
braver, more upright, or more truthful man
does not exist. But it is not Of Major
Winship that desire to speak, any further
than to endorse the entire accuracy Of bis
letter. Nor do propose to enlarge upon
Gen. Pierce's patriotic military services;
nor OF his courage and high military con-
duct in his most admirable march with
new troops from Vera Cruz to Puebla; nor
of his several severe conflicts on that
march with the Guerlas who infested his
path; nor of his bearing as he led his
brigade under the enemy's hottest vo:leys
of shot and shells across the pedrigal at
Contreras. OIL the 18th August; nor Of his
courage, steady resolution, and determine
alton in command Of his brigade at Churu-
busco on the day following. because it is
unnecessary, as they are all set forth with
great minuteness Of detail in Major Win
ships truthful and lucid letter, which every
man who served with Gen. Pierce in Mex
leo knows to be true. Yet desire to say
that. in addition to his gallantry in the field,
equally conspicuous with his indefatigable
care and kindness. when the battle was
over, in rendering in person to the wound.
ed, and in causing to be rendered by 9th.
ers, every possible aid
Owing, under kind Providence, prob
ably. my own life to this distinguishing
trait Of General Pierce's generous nature.
| beg leave briefly to mention the circum-
stance. was in command of the howit-
zer battery, which, with Magruder's batte-
ry, first took up position at Contreas in
front OF Valepcia's entrenched camp
The enemy's skirnishers had prevented,
for the time, our engineer officers from
making their reconnaissance. The field
batteries (Magruder's and the howitzer
battery) were ordered forward to drive
back the skirmishers. and occupy the At
tention of the enemy while our engineers
their work. When our Bate
ries opened their fire, it Of course drew
upon them the concentrated FIRE of allthe
guns OF the enemy's entrenched camp
which could be brought to bear. General
Pierce's brigade was ordered forward TO
sustain this attack. and gallantly he led
his brigade across the pedrigai, under .
shower ofshells, grape-shot and escopetts
bullets.
There was no mistake but what the shot
flew thickly and necessarily on that day,
up the ground in every .direc-
tion, and inficting severe loss on our
force. Lieutenant Johnson, Of Magru-
der's battery, was mortally wounded;
number of our men were killed, and my
self was entirely disabled, having been
twice severely wounded, and was lying on
the ground when night came on. And
such night! Major Winship has well
described it. Ii rained and poured as il
seldom rains and pours elsewhere. 1t was
then that General Pierce, hardly able to
move on account Of the severe injury
which he himself had received on that day,
came 10 me, and having made kind inqui-
ries respecting the nature of my wounds.
had litter prepared, and sent me back
our miles to the town OF St. Augustine,
where were our hospitals and depois. L.
was most fortunate thing for me that {
hus fell under the Generals observation;
Ior had been exposed TO the severe rain
,f that sight, It is impossible to tell what
he resul, would have been. This is only
one instance among many Of General
Pierce's active care and considerate
lhoughifdlness. His bravery no one osn
doubt, much less any one who knows the
man, and has served with him in the 6eld.
Very respectfully, &C..
r. d. CALENDER,
Brevet Capt. U. s. Army.
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