Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1852-09-08

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7 From the Barlisgtss fvt, J senstnel.
0qe Fierce A. N1extco.
tipdness Of Gen>rAl MARTA
anehester, an old JefIes sonisn
cmocrat, we are permisted 70 la2
lkders private letter TO him fuuii
~. Col. Roberts, Of the army in re-
ailitsry conduct and services u
Gel 43Gexico. 4
&C., 1lls3s.as In every bst,le from ~
landing d our army a. vers Crasto the Slssr
ing 81 Chepultepec. and twice brsveteS1 , 1fst !
major and secoud a lieutenant colonel q, UIt
gallant conduct in that campaign. &ra
native son Of Vermont, Of WHOM she isant -
good reason to BE- proud; and hs Statements
will be believed wherever he is known. 9aS
| The letter is written in the unrestrained free
dom which ought always to exist between a
father and son, and shows clearly on it's face
that it was not intended for the pubic eye;
and it is only through Tic iAiluence of friend
to whom Gen. X. read it, that we have been
able to obtain it for publication. 1t adds an
| other TO the many scatLing rebukcs which the
| Infamous libellcrs Of Cen Pierce are almost
daily receiving from officers of the old army
| as well as the new levies, who in Mexico were
his companions -inarms and witnessed his
conduct
WASHINGTON, August A, 1852.
Ny DEAR FATHER: In answering your inqui-
ries of my personal knowledge Of Gen Pierce's
mi itary services in Mexico, feel some distrust,
as an officer Of the cid line, that natural bias
against citizen sseeralsnay operate to prevent
a candid avowal or their value. Nevertheless,
will state the facts of my own knowledge,
and / doubt not that you will see that am
just to your "modei statesman and general"
was in Puebla when it was first generally
known that General Pierce was on his march
from Vera Cruz to that place in command of
several new regiments and recruits for the old
army. l recol'ect at that time the guerillas
were strongly organized and occupying the
seemingly impregnable passes at the Puerto
Nacioncl. Cerro Gordo. La Hoya, Rio Frio,
DC. General apprehension was felt for the
safety of his command. II was composed of
raw material-newly appointed officers and
men just recruited The season was unpro-
pitious. the climate pestileutial and sicky,
and his march was in the epdemcal mouths.
The success Of General SCOTS r1ovcmen. upon
the capital greatly depended upon this COM
mand. In no small degree its effectiveness
would turn upon the prestige of valor success
ia the march would inspire in the soldiery,
and the certain reliance they feel in officers
whose courage and example have been ap-
proved.
Such reliable information had reached Cen
eral Scott about the 25th July, that the gucr.
i'las were in great numbers strongly cntren-
ched at the passes of La Hoya, that he detach.
cd Smiths brigade, reinforced by Dragons
and Domingo spies, to go TO Pierce's relief
This command rapidly marched in that direc-
ton as far as "Ojo Aqua where General Smith
received intelligence that Pierce had brushed
away the force entrenched at La Hoya, and
that he was moving rapidly down the western
slope towards Puebla.
General Smith returned there with the wei.
come intelligence that Pierce had fought his
way through every pass from the Puento Ma.
cionel, and had effectually disorganized and
defeated the entire guerilla force. His arrival
at Puebla spread satisfaction throughout the
army. The sentiment Of ;ncincib;lify for the
first time seemed to pervade the whole line
New officers and raw men joined us, with the
confessed title of ceterans, and with the hearts
and courage of old soldiers. Other distinctive
features of this command likened it to an old
drilled corps-its order, discipline, and subor-
dination. Common danger has always been
acknowledge great assistance in creating
these essential elements of all military success
1t doubtless creates union; but unless troops
are commanded ty Generals equal to The occa,
sion, pressing and continued peril will result
In division. disnffection, and defeat. No army
officer properly regarding his military repu,a.
ton, when General Pierce reached Puebla
would have put it at hazard blythe denial Of
his claim to be ranked with skltul and sue
cessful generals.
Again: can speak of General Pierce from
personal observation. On the 10Th of August
(as you know l was detached from Twiggs's
division as an advanced guard, with two com
panies Of the rifles, with orders from that gen.
ersl to clear "pedrigal in front of Contreras Of
it's rickets and skirmishers, and ,on getting close
close enough to the works for a s1re reconnos-
sance, TO send for him. This was done While
Gen. Twiggs was with me, wihintwo hundred
yards Of the enemy's works, estimating their
force and strength, We noticed their sudden
change of guns, and rapid firing in new
direction. In a short time we observed our
troops making their way through the pedrigal
to our right and rear. Not knowing the pur-
pose, we carefully watched their bearing, ex-
posed as they were to one of the most rapid ar
tilery fires of some twenty three guns ever
witnessed Round shot and shells fell among
them like hailstones. Still they moved firmly
on, led by an office on horseback whom we
could not recognise at the distance of some 600
or 200 hundred yards. On they passed, I'M
checked by destruction, unappalled by danger!
We continued anxiously regarding them, until
Twggs suddenly exclaimed to me. "by Cd,
its the old third; see how they stand it," This
force proved to be Pierce's brigade, he leading
in the face of the fire have described No
better commentary can be offered to the army
than this Illustration of the frmness, courage,