Richmond semi-weekly times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 184?-1853, 1852-06-11
GEN. PIERCE.


not promise, however, to shed much light on this
subject as yet. Our locofoco cotemporarles' to
whom we look for information, have furnished
few particulars of General Pierces career, but the
knowledge which they afford is meager and
satisfactory to the last degree. The Historic
Muse it would SEEM. if she has not altogether
forgotten to record the deeds of the New Hamp-
shire warrior and statesman, has at least preserv-
ed but an obscure and imperfect memorial of his
achievements in the council aud in the field
The musty archives of the country must be raked
from the dust of oblivion and ransacked for the
evidences Of his valor, his craftsmanship and his
claims upon the gratitude Of his country men,
The friends of the new candidate doubtless
busily engaged at this time in the prosecution of
this task, and we shall soon be richly rewarded
with the results of their. antiquarian researches
Gen. Pierce was born in Hisborough county,
New Hampshire, in the year 1905 He was
graduated according to some authorities at OAR
mouth, and according to others at Bowdoin Col
lege. He represented his native county for seve-
raj years in the New Hampshire Legislature, and
was elected to the lower House of Congress in
1888. 'sDuring his first Congress, (says the Re-
publicly he served as a member of the Judiciary
Committee, and discharged his representative
duties without saying or doing much that is spe
cialy remembered. In his second Congressional
term he distinguished himselfby his hostility to
harbor and river improvements. In June, 1885,
he voted against the bill making additional ap-
proprations for the Delaware breakwater, and
for certain harbors, and removing obstructons in
and at the mouths of certain rivers, and for other
purposes, for the year 1885, few days subse-
uuentlv, General Jackson signed the bill. At the
same session Mr.. Pierce voted against the bill
making appropriations for the improvement of
certain harbors therein mentioned which was
also afterwards approved by Gen. Jackson. At
the same session he voted against the bill to con-
tinue the Cumberland road in the States of Ohio,
Indiana and Illinois, This was on the 29th of
june and on the I'd of July Gen. Jackson signed
that verv Cumberland Road bill. There is
noise or confusion to prevent us from arriving at
Mr.. Pierce's opinions on this question OF improve
ments He is against all improvements-of
roads, rivers and harbors-by the Federal Gov
ernment, and committed against them the
Journals of the House positively and repeatedly"
Mr. Pierce entered the United States Senate
in 1887, and remained a member of that body
until 1912 when he resigaed his seat. His most
elaborate speech in the Senate was against the
bill for the relief of General Harrison's widow.
When the Mexican war broke out, Mr.. Pierce
volunteered as private soldier and was appointed
Brisadier General by Mr.. Polk. He present
at some of the battles in the valley of Mexico
His achievements are recounted as follows in a
memoir prepared for the New Yotk Herald by
one of his friends:
When he reached Contreras he met Gen. Scott and
under him engaged in the battle shere There deep
ravne between the United States troops and the Mexi
The enemy drawn at the other side in bat
tie array and with his batteries all placed The order
given charge and ouank them In charging down
the round shot of the enemy flying over their heads
them with his sword would say, "There. boys game
of ball for YOU In this charge his horse fell and rolled
upon him. He severely injured. and the horse
disabled He mounted another horse and joined the fight
He suffered great pain all night and could not sleep The
surgeon ordered him not to go into the field next day
That night they had laid IN arms and the ranwa terrible
and the surgeon advised him back to San Augustine
where there depot but he would not. He was de-
termined to go to Churubusco.
At charge in this battle both his brigade and that of
General Shields were ordered to getn the rear He was
again thrown from his horse with such violence that he
tainted the field. Afterwards when the troops,
ing up wanted raise him. he told charge and
he would take OF himself though the Mexican ancers
then charging the spot, and towards corned.
He commanded his troops to chargethem in advance.
After this battle arnstce proposed, and Gen.
Pierce appointed OF the He
strongly opposed to the armstice unless the castle of
Chepultepec given up security and there
use in proposing armstice unless they prepared
to give up California General Scott wasopposed to him
in opinion, but the showed that Pierce right
The armistice was granted almost Internationally
At the battle of Moline del Rey he rode the field
with the bullets flying about him, and called off by
Gen. Worth, who told him he rash He at the
battle OF Chapuepec and when victory was declared for
the stripes and stars the South Carolinans and the
Ninth regiment whichhad fought together at Churubusco
and Contreras, met. Their blood had mingled in one
common stream, and the Palmetto banner showed its
Tor by the numbers gifts that lay dead the field
Gen. Pierce addressed them and said, here the
North and South had met together of
the glorious Union-net maintain its rights and uphold
Its honor. These battles had cemented the union of
North and South and he hoped they would be forever uni
ted Nine cheers were then given for the Palmetto
glment, which loudly responded to; and the
same compliment returned by the Caronians to the
Yankees.
After this battle he resigned his commission and came
home having done enough redeem his pledge and main
tain the honor of his country,
This, we believe is the sum and substance of
what is generally known of the civil and military
antecedens of the Democratic candidate. The
whole civilized world asked who is James K.
Polk, when that gentleman was nominated forthe
Presidency, but Democracy has descended into a
lar lower depth of obscurity to find its present
standard bearer
Our Democratic cotemporaries affect great Joy
and exutation at Pierce's nomination. They say
that he is the man of all others to beat the Wings
with aud that overwhelming and unpreceden-
ted triumph awaits the Democracy under his lea
dership.
Now, 1t is somewhat remarkable that gentle
man OF such pre-emnent availability, gentle
man whose nomination is equivalent to cleo
tion and whose name is n tower of strength,
should not have been put in nomination until the
fourth day. Yhan the lnnyantinn ,xas Ii, i1,,,ni