Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-08-03
Patrick Leonard and serg't Thos. Beggs

Patrick LEoyARD.-It will be seen from the Con-
gressional report in another column that Senator But
Ter alluded. in very appropriate ferms 10 Tue Gailan
conduct of this gallant sodier-ihe hig lriShman,
as he was once called. Patrick Leonard was a brave
and generous spirit ii cncased in rough EXTERIOR AMI
il gives us pleasure, if all the dcserters in Mexico
were his countrvmen 10 that Senator Butler did
remember him and his gallant conduct. 1t certainly
wipes out sumo of the reproach which, We regret 10
see, Senator Butler willing 10 see cast upon for
eigners.
We have clipped this paragraph from one of our
exchanges in order that may do that Justice, which
has been too long delayed, to brave but unprelend
ing soldier.
We do not sympathize, at all, with that feeling,
which would make war with an oppressed foreigner,
who has sought country as ylum from tyranny
and wrong Our ancestors were all foreigners, and
while that class of persons demean themselves with
propriety, and manifest proper regard for the law
and institutions of our Republic we as willing to
extend to them the protecting Ggis OF our Constu-
ton and government, Us the who are born and
raised on soil.
But aim, in this para graph, is to correct most
erroneous impression, which has gone abroad in re.
gard to "PATRIcK LEONARD and to hesiow The
need of praise upon the soldier who deserved it,
and whose wife and children might possibly enjoy the
rewards Of the valor Of their husband and father.
A great deal of high-nown language, and much
useful well useless breath has been expended on
the herosm Of PATRICK LEONARD, 10 the real detr-
msnt of the man who merits applause.
We had the fortune to participate in the most Of the
battles of Mexico, and we have therefore uniformly
declined as much as possible write speak Of the
incidents and occurrences Of that war, although we
may have been taun,ed by envous, selfconceted up
starts, with our frequent ausions our own military
exploits.
But we think it our duty, for once, to make known
what we ourselves have witnessed. The company
ID 10 which we were attached, stood on the left of
company H'' 10 battle, TO which last company, both
THOMAS BEGGs and Patrick LEONARD belonged.
Thomas BEGGs was an Irishman as we'll as PAT
RICK LEONARD, and BEGGs it was, who really bors
the standard Of the Palmetto Regiment in the heat of
the fight. He was shot near about the time Col.
BUTLER fell. As the color.bearer went down, Col.
DICKINSON with others, and took up the standard
In few moments, he was shot down, and then Col.
GLADDEN. reared the flag, and after bearing II for
time and until the Mexicans had, ina great measure,
ceased firing, he handed it over to PATRICK LEONARD,
that he might carry it; more accounof his muscu-
lar powers than any extraordinary courage prOwess
that distinguished him.
1t is my firm conviction, that not single man in
the Palmetto Regiment was wounded or touched by a
ball after LEONARD was entrusted with the ensign
under which'they had fought
PATRICK LEONARD lived in our own village for n
long time before the war, and we knew HIM well ;
and we venture to declare, upon our knowledge OF
his character that he had few elements of the hero
as any man that ever shouldered fired musket in
battle. WithNery moderate nerves, he did have a
strong desire dohs duty, and that all that marked
his character The truth has never been told about
the man, for he naturally tmid an Iisfnnan as
we ever knew, and man Of true galla1try has been
robbed of his deserved honors, for one who was, in
no particular, his equal.