The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-02-24
From the Washington Union.

W tiic war NHN Ut lkS HtIEUt
a gentleman at the head ofonc ofthe depart
ments under President Polk resigned hi
commission in the civil service of the country
and was appointed a brigadicr general in th,
American army. He was an Irishman born
lie Ind made most favorable impression
while discharging his official duties in Wash
ington. lie was among the very few of oul
adopted citizens who held prominent posi-
ton in this country. The State which hat
presented him to the President as cmnenty
worthy of his confidence, had herself shown
her appreciation of his high ability and un
exccptionablc department, and the result
proved that her estimate Of the man was just
After having served with Generals Taylor
and Wool on the other line, he landed witt
the American army at Vera Cruz under
command of Gen. Scott, and was warmly
culogized for his gallantry at the capture o.
that city and the castle OF San Juan de Ulloa
in March ofls47 When Gen. Scott ISSUED
his brilliant order (No ll1) OF the 18th o
April, in which, with almost prophetic In
spiration, he sketchcd the very details o
the great victory that awaited him at Cerrc
Gordo, he selected this brave Irishman Il,
one Of the leaders in that eycntful struggle
lie said
The second Crwiggs) division of regulars
is already advanced within easy turning dis
tancc towards the cnemy's left. That di
vision has instructions TO more forward be
fore daylight tomorrow, and take up posi-
tion across the national road in the cnemy's
rear, so as to cut off Il retreat towards Jala
pa. Ii may be reinforced today, il uncx
pcctedly attacked in force, by regiments
one or two-takcn from Shields brigade O
volunteers. If not, the two volunteer rcg
mcnts will march for that purpose at day
light tomorrow morning, under lIrigadicI
General Shields, who will report to Briga
dicr General Twggs, on getiiug up with him
or To the seneral-in-chicf if hc be in ad
vance"
This order was executed to the letter
The party under Twiggs aud Shields were
the advance party; but while leading hi.
troops to the conflict, under the heavy tire o
the enemy, General Shields lell, US it was
supposed, mortally wounded
"Brigadicr General Shields, (says General
Scott, III his report OF the day : operation, b,
"a commander of activity, zeal and talent
is, fear mortaly wounded
Aud again, the same commander says, in
another report;
"Thc Brigade SO gallandy led by General
Shields, and, after his fall, by Colonel Baker,
deserves high commentator for its fine be.
/ havior and Success
/ General Twiggs said "Qf the conduc,
Of the volunteer force under the brave Gen.
cral Shields, ] cannot speak in too high
terms"
| General Patterson united in these strong
concentrations of the courageous general.
And the whole country soon responded to
, the sympathy and solctudc which his dread,
ful wounds and his noble bearing had SC.
cured for him in the American army.
The Illinois general slowly recovered, how
ever. His escape from death was miracu-
lous, and We shall never forget how the in
tclligencc Of his restoration 10 health thrilled
the American people.
The next great battles were those Of Con
treras and Churubusco Here We find the
gallant Shields once more ready for action,
though still weak and suffering from his
wounds 1t is remarkable that, after having
= t.-. --i-i Il. -.' "'"v'.i".I,S nviu JJidlid ~
Pucbla, bleeding and suffering from his
wounds, hc insisted upon going into the
fight, and did so, when SO weak and wasted
that his physicians declared IT impossible
for him to survive! Again general Scott
paid him the highest compliments for his
skill and daring in fulfilling his orders
This was on the 18th Of August, 1877.
On the 2Sth of the same month, General
scott once more reports to the Secretary Of
War and this time he writes "from the
gates Of Mexico What does he say of
Shields? We copy from his dispatch;
Shields, the senior officer Of the hamlet,
after Smith had arranged with Cadwaladcr
and Riley the plan Of attack for the morning
delicately waived Interference but reserved
to himself the double task Of holding the
hamlet with his two regiments, South Car
olna and New York. against ten times his
number on the side Of the city, including
the slopes to his left, and, in case the camp
in his rear should be carried, to face about
and cut of the flying crrmy.'
And again. speaking Of the grand finale Of
that day, Gen. Scott says:
"Slelds, too, by the wise disposition Of
his brigade, and his gallant activity, con.
trbutcd much to the general results He
held masses Of cavalry and infantry, sup.
ported by artillery, in check below him, and
captured hundreds, with one general (Mcn.
doza,) Of those who fled from above"
Referring to the fifth victory Of that glo.
rious day, Gen. Scott says:
at has been stated that some two hours
and half before Perce's brigade, followed
closely after the volunteer brigade, both un.
der the command of Brigadicr Gen. Shields,
had been detached to our left to turn the
cncmy's works, to prevent the escape Of the
garrisons, and 10 oppose the extension of the
eacmy's numerous corps from the rear, up
on and around our left
"ln winding march around to the right,
this temporary division found itself on the
edge of a wet, open meadow, and in the
presc,,cc of some 1000 of the cnemy's inian.
try, a little in the rear Of ChurubuSco, on
that road. Establishing the right at strong
building, Shields extended his left parallel to
the road to outilank the enemy towards the
capital. But the enemy extended his right,
supported by 5000 cavalry, more rapidly,
(being favored by better ground) in the
same direction, Shields concentrated the di-
vision about a hamlet, and determined to
attack in front. The battle was long, hot
& varied, but ultimately success crowned the
zeal and gallantry of our troops, led by their
distinguished commander, Brigadicr General
Shields, Shields took 800 prisoners, includ
ing officers.
General Worth spoke highly of the gal
liant bearing Of Pillow, Shields, Cadwaladcr,
and Pierce in this engagement His praises
were rc-cchocd by General Twiggs and
Smith. General Shields, in his own report,
which is model of its kind, presents II
graphic and beautiful sketch of the battle.
But we find General Shields in this last, as
in the first conflict In the terrible attack
upon the city Of Mexico he was in advance
with the veteran Quitman and the accom-
plshed Pcrsilcr +. Smith. General Scott re.
fcrs to him warmly, md says, in one part,
of his report ofthc battle, General Quitman,
being in hot purs'it-gallont himself and
ably supported by Generals Shields & Smith
Shields badly wounded before Chapulto-
pee and refusing to retire, &c. .t'uy.
General Quitman writes. "ln directing
the advance, Brigadier General Shields was
badly wounded in the arm. Nopersuations,
however, could induce that officer to leave his
command and quit the field. And again
Until carried from the field on the night OF
D - a.