Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-07-16

90 fRy the way il lie matter OF wonder that we did not
III h,e,E our necks in that Internal Pedraga.l II was
n In mi every enc hors de combat !" hut win indom-
~ courage and torlude under circulating Puin he was
assisted his horse day. ana LED ms command III
both the battles of Contreras ana C"ufuousco.
From the Boston Courer-Whigl
The following letter from COL Smith of New Hampshire
gentleman WHO rendered distinguished services to Inc
Americans in Mexico during the invasion of that country by
our t,oops has been presented US for publication
G,IaAs7os N. H., juno "a 1852.
yu 70 nrohobv aware that the commencement Of the
war with Mexico had been more ian ~ rsh yeuis re
dert o the CITY The AZccs during he war was Twice
oxId from the city, the suspicious OF the government
been awakened and its dspcasule IN conse
ousnre of the manner in which treated Major Ganes Ma
nr Borand and the other Encatnacion prisoners lnnco
,t.y after The second order for my expulsion desiring 10
cont: ol my movements, mace my escnpe passed le
mountains in nights horseback, having brioed IA
none oucrrila chief Colin who accompanied me with five
of his spctuc associates carried dispatches from
10 Gen Scott uhcn Pueba) which delivered at four
o'clock in the morning. ami afterwards continued with the
role commander he avaing himself OF my minute KNOW
ledge Of The country until again entered the city with the
American army j arrived Purbla two days before Gen.
Percss brigade arrived thcre-and never prouder OF
country ard proud OF my native Stale as when
that fine command marched into the CITY, balconies
were crowded and such reinforcement spread general Joy
hrorph the army The circumstances OF the march, the
energetic prudent and sfu manner In which had been
pcormtd-thc daring courage manifested oy me comman.
der particularly crossing the National Bridge, when his
hal was shot from his eadwere OF course the subjects OF
muc, and secured for General Pierce high ad
and entire confluence ana tnese, may safely say
were never abated during the campaign.
do not propose give you details OF that campaign but
10 state some facts within my knowledge in relation
the operations Of the l9h and 20h of August and the 6h
of September On the 10Th August was at 81. Augustine
about miles from Contreas Perces brigade marched
GU, early to open road the mountain for the ar
ery which followed that afternoon did not see General
pierce again till near tic day had been with
Cen Scutts staff all the morning OF the 2Oh and had heard
If The dangerous injury Gen Pierce had sustained by the
fall Of his horse the Pedrcga The afternoon before. The
n
oi rock being hard gallon. The preservation OF tho
life of the General here. at the National Bridge 10
have been providenal Although The bones OF The horse
were broken that he was lett upon The spot INC enacl,y
with which rider held To his command dung that day
and the next was wonder of ALL He rode during the
residue vi evening" the horse OF the gallant Lieut. John
son. who had Just been shot In Ills saddle
| met Gen. Piece the 20th near Coyacan. Gen.
Twipnss division had advanced the road towards tho
church Chunbusco and when met Pierce the heavy hr-
inc of the batteries had opened. shall never forget his ap
rode the head OF that noble brigade des
lined suffer terribly in the afternoon lie was exceed
ngly thin down by the fatigue ana pain Oh Tie Gay
and night beforehand h.n evidently suffering severely
Sill glow In his eye as the cannon doomed mat
showed within him spirit ready Tor inc conflict.
The brigade was formed on the west side Of the pa
IN OF Coyacan opposite Tie church. was familiar with all
The roads in that neighbohood and informed Gen.
Scott who was in his saddle under tree near the church.
from which he was issuing orders different members of his
staff that knew q route by which the enemy could be at
tackled in the rear Having decided al once 10 send eces
brigade and support by other troops mat might ne at
his command he despatched call Gen. Pierce. did
SCI and when rode u conversation in substance and
as recocc' in the following words took place
Cen Scott, sud-"pcrce my dear fellow you are badly
inured-you are fit to be in your saddle Eyes am
said Pierce sin like this" Gen. Scott said-"lt IS
tcmeri,y shall lose you and cannot spare you ought
IN order Won back to ST Augustine You touch
foot 10 the srrup ~ of them, sud Pierce and
hnt is enough or to-day This will be the last great fight
and mus lead MY brigade" Tine order was then gwen
aching az rnde by the direction Of Gen. Sccit Major Lee
OF The engineer corps, accompanying the command The
brigade moved rapidly forward for about me when we
g. me 10 ditch as recpllec twelve feet wide and
six or eight deep Pierce lifted from bis saddle and as
to tread upon mpossb!es ne led the BRIGADE then I'M
der fire. in his crippled condition. Tor distance
on foot, when he fell from exhaustion ana SUFFERING 100
GREAT even for his energies He refused 10 be carried from
The field and remained till the final rout of the enemy
More nlexihe determination and daring courage Go not
| believe was ever exhibited upon battle held
On the niau before tho battle CT Molno del tcy uenera
Picrces brigade the hacienda OF San Boa, about
one mile from Tacubaya, where it had been held from ear
lest dawn under arms. You know how General Worth
most gallant division suffered. The carnoge on the hed
dreadful General Scott despatched me 10 accompany
nv friend Major Gaines with an order Tor Fierce 10 ADVANCE
They were ready instant and moved rapidly forward
was upon the field and Witnessed Pierces fine movement
upon the Kings MI 10 relieve Col Garland, who had been
iuh,inr I'LL that hour He advanced with the 9Th infantry
land as recolec "a artillery not OF his brigade proper
The enemy whose c had nearly ceased upon me move,
mcrt of these regiments rccpcned with round shot and
she from ChepuIepec well remember that the bay horse
which the took from the States became under hre
difficult manage and well nigh pungns over pccl,
nice close BY the Kings Mill at the bridge in consequence OF
Inc bursting OF a she'll but few feet from him. Nothing
couI have been more cool and admirable than this whole
movement ;, ,
made the acquaintance OF General Pierce thousands Of
miles from our native luEd under circumstances that tried
mems souls" found him there, what all know MIN 10 DC
here ard cannot withhold this act OF justice from one VINO
has brave heart and selfsacrcing spirit as ever
warmed a true mans husOm. know Gen Perce nceos no
yindicuton Of his military conduct, His merit in this re-
sprct is proclaimed by united voice OF officers ard men
those who participated and who know But at the same
rc he NAV not be dispeased with these hasty remnis
cences from me- have been long from the country
thai feel hut little interest In mere party conflicts
! Your OBJ dl servant, NOah L. oMlln II.