The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-25
Gen. F. M. wYsKoop.
WAsHIseros. d. c., July Q. 1852.

WAsHIsGros. d. c., July Q, 1852.
GEsTLEAss: am Obliged 10 you for your letter OF
July oth and take great pleasure in promptly replying 70
II. During the last with Mexico tnew General
Franklin Pierce personally and well but II is proper 10
him in those several battles wherein be earned for him
sell so justly the high reputation OF gallant solder ana
a good general. a.
reflected opinion OF the whole army From the rank and
file upward he universally regarded dlscrni-
mating. self sacrificing and devoted officer. The men es
eemed it favor TO with him. and officers deemed
themselves unusually fortunate to be Drgadcd under his
command
The united testimony of Generals Scott Qutman,
Shields Pillow, and Others amply concus in this regard.
and the detailed history OF his services makes up ag
gregaie which the fair, uuthloving American cannot con-
slider without PRIDE
When the requison was made upon the State OF New
Hampshire for volunteers, franklin Pierce the first
to enroll himself private in the ranks Fired by his
example, in almost incredibly short space of time two
companies organized; and the regiment bill hay
ing passed in the meanwhile, Mr. Polk rendered him the
coonecy OF the 9th regiment OF infantry. TO which CON-
mand the New Hampshire companies were attached. lg-
noran of the minor details OF the service, and knowing
that The regiment required immediate preparation for the
hed he modesiy declined e appointment IN favor oil
Col Ransom, soldier by education, and who. few
months later, goriousy fell whilst leading that regiment
TO the assault upon Chepultepec
General Pierce was afterwards offered the appointment
Of brgadier general which be accepted, and Immediately
entered upon the duties OF his new position with aacny
and decision He arrived at Vera Cruz during the most
pesiilentia season OF the whole year, Dune 2s lst7o
and found there camp filled with disease and death
Leaving that point in the middle of July with the 9th,
18th, and 18th infantry, lin all about 500 men, be made
OF the most rapid and successful marches recorded
during the whole war. His troops were new and to
great extent undlscplined the road was beset with gue
rllas along the whole line, and the heat was intensely
oppressive yet steadily. firmly and bravely he encoun-
tered these difficulties, always leading, always encour-
aging, until he reported 10 Scott at Pueba, with sgher
loss proportion to the size OF his command, than that
sustained by any other commander under like circum-
AT the National Bridge, when attacked by que
rlas he led his command against the barbados and in
the charge received ball through his hat, The news OF
his successful progress had preceded him to PeToe and
upon his arrival there found in him all that could attach
the respect and admiration OF a soldier.
General Pierce his first general battle at Contreras
August 49, 1s47 General Scott, Adescnbing the details
Of this engagement says that General Pierce was more
than three hours under heavy fire OF artillery and
muskei, along the almost impossible ravne in front and
the left of the enirenched camp. Besides twenty two
pieces OF artillery The camp and ravne were defended
closely by OF infantry, and these again supported
by clouds of cavalry at hand and lowering in view
General Pierce ordered forward with the 9th and
The evening the day, after having been exposed
10 muIderous fire OF more than three hours, that his
horse fell and injured him An old friend Of mine, and
an officer OF distinction. tells that at the time of
Pierces advance upon Vaencias camp at Conrsras, be
standing beside Major General Twiggs, watching
their approach, and as they came up under that wher-
ing fire, led by officer black horse, Twggs ex-
claimed, "By heavens il is the gallant old 3d-see how
steadily they move up" IL was the 9th infantry, and
Pierce leading
Although severely hurt and Sufficiently TO have justi-
fed his retiring under surgical treatment find him
again in the field The day; and here propose TO
give Gen. Scoits own testimony 10 his conduct In his
report OF August 2sh when speaking OF the occurrences
the Goth, he says Accordingly the two advanced
divisions and Sheldss brigade marched from Contrerss
under the immediate orders Of Gen Pillow, who
joined by the gallant Brgadie General Pierce Of his d.
vision personally thrown out OF activity late The evening
before by severe hurt received from the fall OF his
horse"
Them again, Gen. Scott says Next (but all in ten
minutes) Pierce Gust able 10 keep his saddle) with
his brigade, pillows divsion) conducte by Captain
Lee engineer, by third route little further 10 left,
attack the enemys right and order to favor the
movement upon The convent and cut off the retreat
wards the capital and, finally Shields. senior bgadier
Pierce with the New York and South Carolina regi.
ments, lQniimans division,) was ordered to follow
Pierce closely, and TO take command Of our left wing.
All these made with the alacriy
BY our gallant troops and commanders"
The successful termination OF these two great battles
was followed by the armstice and such the defer
ence paid by the Commander.in chief General Perces
high abilities, that he chose him OF the commits
sioners, along with Quman and Smith, TO manage the
details Of that delicate negotiation.
General PIerces services however, did not end here
for the Sth OF September we find him with the 9th
and I'd regiments OF infantry under heavy FIRE from the
batteries Chepuepec covering successfully the
treat OF Cadwaader and Garland's brigades from The
field at Moline del Rey.
ing OF Chepuliepee, and that day he confined by
illness TO his bed His major general, speaking OF him
on this occasion, Gays; regret that deprived OF
the services OF my brave, talented, and accomplished
brigadier general, Pierce, who confined to sick
bed
Thus have given to you, gentlemen, rapid but cor.
rect history OF General Perce's military services
roboated and endorsed by his Commander in-chef and
present political antagonist General Scott No with
particle OF fairness his moral conformation lis
ten with complacency 10 that miserable trickery of the
opposition which nsinuates aught against his gallant and
chvalric qualities.
Always prefenng the quiet walks OF life and the pur
OF his profession TO the turmoil and excitement oil
The world without il only in the dark hour OF
tonsI trial that he abandoned them for the pes and
priva,ions OF the camp and when the last battle was
fought and the w virtually concluded he returned
obrusvely 10 his New England home. and resumed
among the people of his State those occupations which
had attached 10 him such host of devoted friends and
admirers
His history az sta,esman-the high Offices he has
eminenty filed and the higher Offices he has rejected,
are events we'll known 10 you ALL and need no repetition
or comment from me.
As the indictment Of high principle. and the repre-.
sentative OF party which has always sacrificed every
with you in the hope that the good old State love
and lire in will be found triumphany supporting him in
the coming contest
For the sake of justice, sincerely trust that
the federal enemies OF the last with Mexico will not
be permitted again outrage political decency by trading
upon the glorious results OF that campaign for the
cessfu election OF their present candidate.
Very respectfully, your friend and fellow citizen,
FRANCIS M WYNKOOP,
To Messrs Strange N. Palmer, Joseph Weaver, Henry
Gels, Isaac M. Cake, r. M. Palmer, and Edward
kerns.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY The commencement exercises