Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-29
POLIT IC A L.
wes,,mon, Of Democratic Soldier,

The Wheeling Iatelfgsncer has the fol-
lowing spontaneous testimonial from DEM
ocrat who served in the Mexican war under
General Scott 1t is the unsolicited decia-
ration of an honest man, and needs no COM
ment: -,
,The statements ofsome ofthe opponents
Of General Scott, respecting his arrogance
ar;s,ocracv. and excluSWeness, are so utter
10 rnfonnded and unjust to his noble char
:cter that cannot, though Democrat, re-
frain from detailing slight incident 10
which was party in the campaign IN
Mexico. Twas in the entire campaign
from the bombardment Of Vera Cruz to the
taL;ng Of the capital, and have had every
onnoTtunitv. which a soldier could have to
know his character, and the estimation IN
which he was held by the whole body OF
the soldiery, aud hesitate not to say that
there was not high,minded and honora-
BILE soldier in the whole army who could or
would saw a word derogatory to the militia
nv and generous character OF Scott he
was admired by all, beloved by all; and the
soldier who, in that campaign, would nave
uttered word derogatory to our general,
would have been secuted at by his compa-
nv. was a member Of Light Company
a. Flying Artillery, Capt Duncan, Twiggs's
division, and was engaged in every conflict,
except Churubusco, to the taking OF the
CITY. AT the battle of Contreras it was my
fortune to be in the column which letook
the two six-pouuders which had been taken
from Captain Washinston's battery al the
battle of Buena Vista. While engaged IN
turning these guns upon their late masters
Ireceiyed shot in my thigh, which en-
tirely disabled me for the time, and my
COMPANY were forced to leave me on their
onward attacks. After the battle had been
concluded, and the victory had been won
by our conquering columns, | endeavored
as best could to regain my column when
had pressed forward to the field OF Churu-
bnsco--the haste of the consecutive battles
of the Goth August not having allowed Oh
their providing for the dead and woundsa'
After the most painful efforts on my part to
reach some portion Of the advancing col
umn. prompted as | was to almost super
human efforts from the danger OF beng eX-
posed to the guerillas, who infested the rear
of our army, | made my way to held oil
corn, bordering on the field Of battle, and
finally sank, almost exhausted near stone
wall. which was raked by Riley's (the de-
serter) battery.
ain this trying situation was about CIV
ing up all further effort and reslSnlng my
self to fate, when my attention wes attract
ed by the approach of a lone horseman, on
the opposite side of the fence, who lmme-
diateiy, upon seeing my helpless situation
came TO my relief. He dismounted from
his horse and assisted me over the fence
and rescued me from the very jaws OF death
In short time was relieved and placed
in safety and thus was 1 indebted tor my
life TO Winfield Scott, the officer who came
alone to the post of danger and rescued
helpless soldier of the line. This is but one
of the many incidents which the generous
soldiers of the army of Mexico can relate
of their kind, humane, and great leader
Every moment he spent IN the vicinity
where lay he was exposed to the rakIns
shot of the base deserter, yet he paused not
faltered not but then, as ever, he PROVED
himself the humane and gallant Leader
whom the soldiers will remember IN hi
hour of need. | am q Democrat; L have
never given q Wing vote; but 1t can ge
to the polls will give my vote for hin
whom | have tried in the hour OF need an'
found my friend, He was ever ready tc
do his duty in the hour OF battle IN Mexico
and the soldiers of the army CT Occupation
will in their turn do their duty In Novem
Der, and rally again under the banner o
their leader, who has so often led them Il
glorious victory. In the army we heard o
Pierce, but never knew him. He was new
er with us on the battlefield. He may
have great qualities, and he may not; 70
myself, / shall support the man whom
know to be great, who was with us and o
US, and with whom and for whom shall
be at the polls in November.
sDANIEL KNEEDLER.
bridgeport, Ohio"