Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1852-09-30
Gen. Picrce's Military Career.
FACTS FROM THE DOCUMENTS.

Annexed to tins article isl scorchng rcyiow
of Gen. Percc's report of his military career
We have not seen the Generals report, and
therefore cannot Judge of the review; we take
il upon the reputation of the Louisville Journal
"a leading newspaper of Kentucky, and one Of
the ablest in the country. How far the journal
is confirmed by other official evidence will be
seen in this article.
Since the topic Is thus introduced, we improve
the opportunity to show, from the official docu-
ments. that TRuMAN b. RANSOM was the true
hero of the New England regiment, and won the
laurels with which the locoiocos have attempted
to crown Pierce We commence with the first
battle after Pierce's brigade had joined the main
army-to wit;
CONTRERAS, AUG. 90, ls47.
"a diversion for an earlier hour daylight
had been arranged the night before, according
10 the suggestion of Brig. Gen Smith, received
through the engineer, Captain Lee, who convey
ed my orders TO our troops remaining on the
ground opposite to the enewy's centre-the point
for the diversion OF real attack, as circumsian-
ces might allow. Guided by Capt Lee. 1t prov
ed the latter, uader The command Of Coz. RAN
SOM Of The on, having with him that regiment
and some companies of three others - the 3D.
18th and inesn-Scoirs Report, Er. Doc No
!, ls47, page 307.
So Col RANSOM, not Gen. Pierce, was in com
mand on this occasion. But again;
"Col RANSOM, with his temporary brigade.
conducted by Cap. Lee, engineer, not only made
the movement to divert and distract the enemy,
but after crossing the deep rayine in front, adj
vanced and poured into the works and upon the
fugitives many volleys from his destructive mus
ketry."-!Sonic Doc, page 307
Our next extract will show that Pierce didNoT
join until AFTER THE BATTLE WAS WON, and the
troops were marching out of CoDtreras, and viii
also give the reason. "The battle being won y
saws Scott Worth was ordered TO attack San
Antonio in front as soon as approached in the
rear by Pillows aud Twlggs' divisions, moving
from Contreras:
Accordingly, the two advanced divisions aud
Shields brigade marched from Contreras, under
the immediate orders OF Maj. Gen. Pillow, fcho
,cas nolo joined By The gallant Brig Gen. Pi0ce
Of his diuision personally U5orn om Of dciiuii,
late the ersning before, By a SeUere hurt eceired
from The fall Of his hOrSe."-Sdme Doc, pages
30S-9.
Pierce, then, was not in the battle of Contre.
ras, which was fought at daylight of the 1oth
and RANSOM iDas in and commanded brigade
in place Of Pierce-al because Gen Pierce wac
hurt by the fall of his horse "late the evening
before At this same hour Col. Ransom wa,
bravely at his work;
"Much credit is due to Col, Ransom, by who's,
uniirng exertions and zeal the 9lh aud Eth wer,
placed IN a position near the batteries late in ia,
night Of the lhh."-Tieiggs Report, same Doc.
page 393.
San Antonio was taken before Pillows dvis
ion with whom was Pierce got up and that d
vision fastened to take part in the Battle Of
CHURUBUSCO, AUG. 90. ls47.
We find that the gallant RANSOM ,uas arai,
N command IA s'ao Of Pierre, aud uobly perfor
ming his duty. This time, however, it was no
because Pierce was hurt, but because he jri,,lea
Gen. Scott chartaby says, on account Of hi
hurt To the official record again:
The 9th, 18th and 18th regiments under Co
Ransom, &c. all shared in the glory of this ac
ton. Gen. Pierce, from the hurt Of the eveninl
beiore-under pain and eNhaustion-(a inied 4
the aoi'on."-San'c Doc. pages 3l2-l3.
Gen. Pillow also records that Pierce, though
badly injured by the fall of his horse, &c. on tn
l9th' did not quit the field but continued in com
mand Of ms brigade" he. on the march a6ey tn,
battle Of Conireras 10 Churubusco,l but he ais,
coniesses that Ransom did The ,rork. bv nddiu,
-" thoo regimeats Of .ehich, uNptR rnr nNrpr
ATE COMMAND or THE GALLANT Cor. RAYsou
Assailed the enemy's work lat Contreras) in front
at daylight, with great intrepidity and confirm
ted much to the glorious contamination of IN,
WORK so handsomely commenced on the proceed
ing gay "-S'me Doc, page 337. Gen. Phlo,
also records the fact that Pierce Jainted at Chu,
uousco' and adds that by the circumstances O
the day, Rarsom's, Morgan's Graham's an
ifousdale's regiments, and the 18th infantry
were the most actively engaged
We next come 10
Mol-lNOS DEL REY, SEPT. ?. lslz
The part Of the record in point is exceeain.l,
Dfiel ana pihy--Pieroe didn't gef there in ti,ae !.
The battle was won Just as Brig. Ger. pier,.
reached the ground"-Sane Doc. nage asa
ciAPULTEPEC, SEPT. 18Th. 1917
Gen. Pierce lsas absent.
The immediate command deYolyed on Rro