Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-07-21
DefrffrS artitlesr


and then tell bis readers what be thinks o.
himself and his regard for truth.
To the Editor Of the Republic
SrR: Your correspondent "Old Army" in
the Republic Of ed June, makes great NUM-
Der Of assertions arranged under scperate
heads. duly numbered. and bearing most I'm
posing similtude to 'suefiefal Order" but
be proves nothing. He tells us what the Of
fcia, orders show, but he does not bring for
ward the record nor cite the book and page
Now, MT to be drawn from my original pc
siton by the many irrevelant statements Of
"0ld Army" repeat what said in my FIRST
communication, that Gen Pierce, though
with the army in the valley Of Mexico, vas
pursonally engaged in no. one Of the great
battles, and that be resigned and came home
months before the war was ended And
say, therefore. that he did nothing 70 entitle
him to The least distinction as an officer, and
that those who claim it for him do it without
knowledge % the facts or with peryerse mis-
representation.
| Was General Pierce at Contreras on 20th
of August lie says, in his own report. (see
message and documents for 1S47-S, pages
| 105-6)
"At one o'clock on the following morning.
(tbe Goth August General Twiggs. with
Captain Lee &C., came to my biyouvac, with
orders from the general in chief to assemble
all the forces. &c. Beirg myself unable to
keep my saddle or .toralk, in consequence of
Severe injury from the fall of my horse
the day before. the command of the force de-
rolred on Calonel Rsnsom. "6c.
| Was General Pierce at Churubusco ON the
afternoon Of the Goth Augustl
In the same report be says,
at was my misfortune, as before stated,
to receive serious injury from the fall Of my
horse on the afternoon of tie 10Th This
accident rendered me unable to struggle with
the difficulties of the ground over which we
were obliged to pass, &C.. and in the effort
to do 50, fell (faipt from exhaustion and
pain) a fep yards from the seyercst fire OF
the enemy's line"
General Shields, in his report, confirms the
fact that Pierce was not with his brigade, fol-
he says;
Piercc's brigade, under my command in
this action, lost considerable number Of
men, (See Shields report, same volume J
W dS ueucTai leTCe dt uei hcy Oh
the sth of September?
Your correspondent l"Old Army" says he
was and that he brought up his command
under fire in fine order, and that there are
men in Washington who witnessed his gallan,
conduct on that occasion"
What does General SCOTS report say:
"The battle was won just as Brigader Gen.
eral Pierce reached the ground
i What does General Worth, who camman-
dcd the forces i'm that battle. and Who from
necessity, must be the best witness, say?
In letter to Gen Scott. December u,
1S47, (see Executive Document, No 60, 49,
As. pagel ,077,) be places the matter beyond
dispute;
Il have to assert that the battle lad been
,con more than an hour before General
Pierce's brigade, or any other support,
reached The ground that had been near
" that length Of time engaged il collecting
the wounded and the dead that General
Picrces brigade did not approach III Moline
to replace Garland, and to occupy that cap
tured work, until two hours after its arrival"
&c.
Surely this official statement must confound
/ ciu army, anu Sd'lsiy Tue Iest VI tndh-
kind" that General Pierce did not bring up
his command under fire. at Moline.
Was General Pierce at Ch,pultepec, or
the garitas on 18th September
! In his own report says:
Il was compelled to leave the field in con-
sequence OF severe indisposition, which con-
fined me to my bed during the 18th, and Of
course deprived me of the satisfaction of par
ticipating with my brigade in the glorious
achievements OF that day"
Again in the same report:
cat A o'clock on the morning Of the 18th
rejoined that portion of my brigade Goth reg
iment) then acting under orders Of Major
General Quitman at the garita, on the Tacu-
baya road
! Generals Quitman and Smith say in their
reports, that the Mexican authorities inform
cd them at dawn on the fith that Santa Anna
had retired with bis forces from the city,
General Pierce reached the garita at clock
and the Mexican authorities. to surrender
the city, at dawn. Which was the first there
| confess cannot decide
So, then, General Pierce was not 10 the
battle Of Contreras. nor Of Churubusco, nor
of Mulino del Rey, nor of Chapulteprc. nor
at the garitas. But says "Old Army" he
was with bis brigade on the afternoon OF tie
19te of August and there was firing In the
city after our troops entered it. Hell. If
"Old Army will show from any official re
port that Picrces brigade Except the 10Th
infantry, which crossed the pedrigaI Oh The
10Th August) was exposed on either of these
occasions. General Pierce may have all the
glory that should enuro to general officer
for so great an exposure. sold Army" as
scrts that General Pierce did not come home
in the first train. But this rs a miserable
quibbls He resigned and came home in one
of the first trains, (I think, still. the frst.)
months before the war was ended
Ifthe curious wish toknow more Of The mil
itary services Of General Pierce in Mexico, let
them inquire Of any officer who saw bin in his
daily walks. There are many out of Wash
ington, and in it, who can testify. II they will
besides 4.
ONE WHO SAW AND KNOBS.
p. S.-My distance from Washington will
explain the delay in answering "old Army"