Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-10-07
Letter from Lieut.. Shields.

plains itself. The Knoxville Register,
from which we copy says he has hereto
fore been Democrat, and is one Of those
who volunteered from Sewer county TO
serve in the Mexican war; was after.
wards Lieut., commissioned by James
X. Polk; fought in every battle in the
vale" of Mexico; was several times
wounded in battle, as the scars on his
body testify He now goes for Scott.
Here is the letter. Nashville Crenn J
Wing. ss
SEyIERvILLE, Aug. 6, 1852.
10 THE EDrroR:- learn by the
newspapers that some man in Little
kentuck," has become very angry at me
because |, Democrat. should suppur,
my old commander, Gen. Scott | had
supposed this was free country, and
that man had right to vote for whom
he pleased. The writer of that article
says, that | am convert. In that you
are correct--l was Democrat; and at
first felt like supporting Pierce; but when
| remembered the trials aud dangers
had undergone with Scott, did not feel
that could DO my feelings justice and
vote against him. s.a
When thought of the long and toll.
some march from Vera Cruz to the CITY.
OF Mexico, when We were fifty days in
the heart of an enemv's country, cut off
from supplies, as well as from all rom
municaiion with our own county and
friends, surrounded by Guerrilas on ev-
cry side; and when you heard of US again
we had planted the Star Spangled Banner
upon the Halls of Montezumas; and il
was still floating riumphanly in the
breeze over as brave On army and as no.
bic commander as ever went forth to
battle; and when heard my brave old
commander abused could stand il no
longer. Well do remember with wha;
kindness he visited the sick and wound
ed in the campaign, and how ne admins
tered 10 their wants day after day.
tell you MIR. Editor, the officers and sold
iers under his command loved him. You,
my brother soldiers, remember how he
visited the hospitals in the City of Mexi-
co, and how he administered 10 the wants
OF the sick-lurnishing each man with a
sbiri,'a blanket, and pair of shoes. aud
one dOllar's worth of tobacco; and for
one drew all these comforts, and KNAPP
sack also, as did all others who lost theirs
in battle. But now am to be abused
because | choose to vote for my kind,
generous, noble and brave old command
er, and that, too, from man who fires
from behind a masked battery, and won'l
sign his name. - a
| venture to say that The man who has
written against me, and who is trying to
tear down Scott, never slept on we;
blanket; never stood sentry night for
his country, was never put on half rations
and hard crackers, and was never CON-
pelled to drink wal IN water, unless it
was to work off a dose of physic. But
1t am not mistaken in November next,
we will give you hasty plate of Scott
soup. that you will find warm water e.
nough for your comfort, and the water of
II shall be real Niagara water.
But said the soldiers under SCOTS
command loved him; you, brother sold
lers, remember the morning he left the
army for the United States. and what
was done that day: yes. every regiment
marched round his quarters, clad with
badge of mourning in order to show how
they honored and loved him. You know
we had orders no, to cheer; but one of
the volunteer companies was obliged to
cheer and break the solemn silence, and
cheer they did. This was company of
sharp shooters who took part at Vera
Cruz and Cerro Gordo, and who did so
much OF the guerrilla fighting on the road
to the valley Of Mexico. they were
noble set of fellows, ami did their duty to
a man. You will remember how slow
aud siaggishly We marched up the hill
that brought US in view of the capilol
before the battle of Contreras; and on ar.
rival at the top of it, there was our old
commander looking through his spy glass,
and crying outas we passed him: "Boys,
The Capitol, the Capitol, the Capitol!"
My fellox soldiers, how did you feel in
that hour! Didn't you feel new life take
hold OF your weary, toll worn limbs, and
were we not led on from victory to vie
tory, until Scott was arrested and torn
away from his noble army by his own
government. But, by the blessing of God
we will try andbe with him again in No
vember; and whenever Scott leads, victory
ls sure. Newspapers may talk about
Sewer county falling off 500 votes, and
all that kind of stuff; but with old Scott
as our leader, she will roll up the largest
Wing vote she ever gave. The "Pine
knot boys, who served under him are
here, and they will count in any crowd.
A few words as to the man who writes
against me. Come out, sir; shed your
skin-its the time for snakes to Shed
and If you don't shed now we will
skinny alivejn November. Well make
The Feathers" fly.
You say ! love ''bald face Now,
sir, that is not true, but little good old
punch | never could refuse, and if am
not mistaken in you, we have taken many