The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-06-01


OF which his name appears prominently but only 10
refer 10 few OF the which exhibit him IN the dill
ferent lixhls in which his merit conspicuous.
When disappointed in the hope that all controversy
between The United States and Mexico would be settled
by peaceful negotiation government ordered General
TAYLOR 10 advance his little army from Corpus Chrsu 10
the Rio Grande Mexican force appeared IN front 10 OPP
pose their march, and there reason 10 believe mat
battle must be fought at the passage of the Arroyo Col
osdo Mansfield was directed 10 advance and place the
batteries so as 10 cover The crossing, il still being the
nuruose to avoid If possible conhe between the armies
whose governments were yet at peace. The movement
was successul-the Mexican forces retired ana our army
continued It's march peacefully When General Taylor
arrived al Point Isabel he determined TO make tha'
his principal depot and ordered Mansfield TO lay ou
a plan for it's defence Ia half day he surveyed lhe
ground, determined the key to the position, and mark
ed by stakes The OF redoubt 10 cover 1t. The
prosecuiion OF the work was confied TO junior en-
yneer and Mansfield marched with the army headquar-
lers TO take position opposite Matamoras The com
handing general here directed him, chief engineer. 10
erect battery to command the and then to construct
a fort 10 hold the position II became necessary to
move with the main body OF the army TO Point Isabel,
and detachment of troops left under the direction
of the engineer, Mansfield TO complete the for-the
same which now bears the name of the gallant CON-
mander who died defending il, the famous Fort Bfowa
Hitherto Mansfield had shone conspcuousy in the lsh'
of military and constructor. but his character
wa, now 10 receive bis liter use from the blaze OF
the enemy's fire. The weakness OF The garrison and The
unfinished con on OF The work invited assault and the
material for constructing the requisite bomb proofs ana
trayerses had TO be collected by parties sometimes com
PEELED to 60 miles from the work.
Threatened in rear BY light troops, bombardea in front
by heavy batteries day and night this devoted garrison
fought and Jabored and well did the genius OF The ensl
neer second the herosm Of the troops New 'urces
met new difficulties ingenuity supplied the want OF ma
efia and the army when il came, shattered and bleed
ing but victorious from The fields OF Palo Alto and Re
SAGA de la Palma, the loved flag OF the Union sill
H ying defiant over the little garrison OF Fort Brown
BY ,hi. act OF hostility the subssng peace was broken
and our army was longer to stand on the defensive
its march was onward, and lis next field OF trial was
the fortified town of Monterey, winch had in Mexican
history the prestige of invincibiy. Field works
and Notifications guarded the approaches on the
north and east and the heights upon the west and
south were so fortified as render the town unenable
il should be taken General Taylor the day OF his
Arrival before Monterey, ordered his engineer, Mansfield
TO reconnoe in front of the enemy, and, II possible, 10
pass round his left and the praccabiy OF turn.
ing his position SO Oft with Sal.
lilo and prevent succor from the rear. The duty was
performed under the guns of the enemy and with emf
nent success The distance between the principal works
was measured and the distance from the Bishops Palace
10 the height which commanded it. The reconnaissance
was completed and the party returned in The night bring
ing six or eight prisoners with them 10 guides IN
future operations.
i By this reconnaissance the route was found Tor
to The OF the enemys lines OF defence, and
his formidable Notifications the heights were success
sively carried by attacks in reverse.
\ Mansfield was then directed TO place the heavy battery
in an advantageous position to assa the citadel OF the
enem,'s works which was effected under OF the
night and he marched the next morning. supported by a
brigade 10 make close Reconnaissance OF the enemy S
right and 10 carry his advanced work, if it could be
done without too much loss The attack opened.
and the salient works somed by the volunteers, who
were ordered up after the action commenced
The conflict was severe, and the loss great Mansfield
was shot through the leg but applying ,ournquet 10
suppress bleeding, he continued on the field, directing,
anmaing and sometimes in situations OF grea, exposure
leading the troops The day, though he had to be
lifted on his horse, he again upon the field, CON-
pee ed his instructions for the improvements 10 be made
in the redoubt first taken, to make II efficient for
the new use TO which it TO be applied Whilst thus
engaged he saw the heights carried which he had
noilred, and reported il practicable TO storm The
cess OF the siege, which first possible, and then
probable, seemed be certain; and the excitement
OF danger subsded, he retired, yielding the pain Of
his wound The severity of which may be measured by
the fact tina, be was unable walk for months af
| forwards.
When the army resumed active operations lie marched
with its headquarters, and actively engaged in
connoenng the enemy before the battle of Buena VISTA
and on that hard fought field maintained his weearned
reputation for military science and kngbty daring In
addition TO the evidence afforded by the official reports
his services have received the unmsakabe endorsement
OF being The subject among his comrades in battle Of
many anecdotes alike complimentary to his GOODNESS and
his gaantry
Tha, he appreciated by his government appears in
the fact that he was breveed three times in
pasn--ior the defence OF Fort Brown, for the siege OF
Monterey and for The battle Of Buena Vista Since bis
return from Mexico he has been Engaged in important
duties as engineer upon the Atlantic coast. and
Gently selected 10 supernend the construction Of the for
hcatious for the harbor OF San Francisco, California
His designation by the President for The post OF Inspector
general Of The army is deemed just a reward for bril-
liant servce-gooJ the recognition OF moral worth