Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-22


sehtisl point and directed Capt. Lee to carry his
approval to Gen. Smith, with instructions to exc
edte It. A movement was then made towards the
Soor % Gene. TWiggs and Pillow. when Genera
9eVse remarked that as the night was dark and
rainy they might as well remain until IN. next
morning Upon which Sen. TWiggs observed. "a +
DIS division vas In The FIELD aud thst bis plae.
vas With il; but Gen. Pillow allowed himself
very easily to be persuaded 70 taxi bed ia 3..n
SCOUTS quarters and a0as actually ia bed the nsrt
"a0rHsng s0ea the assault Sas made upon Coatrsras
Whlch was taken 10 seventeen minutes zs.v Tn,
watch, in accordance with the suggestions or n u
OF Gen. Smith. Before retiring to bed Gen Pill
low, 20 be prepared for disaster or a failure
expressly, but privately, warned Mr.. Trist Wit
Eeom be was then on intimate terms that be had
no confidence in the pi N and drsirsd him 60 F.-
member that be had so declared himself This
iact had from Mr.. Trist hims r.
This brings me to another point in Gen. Pillows
address, where he eudeavoLs 70 make il appear
Gen. Scott was most urgent ia seeking bis esteem
aud confidence, garbling for this purpose note
rom usD. Scott, IN which ne say, "Pernit me to
repeat once more, that have from nv first meet
ing With you, been anxious from hi Oh opinion of
your head and heart, your intelligence bonor zeal
anu VaioT, to win yonr esteem and confidence ON
a''g terms consistent 1cit justice aud honor"
The reader will be astonished when be hears the
true history of the from which this extrset i
made, which Is this: On the afternoon of the 10 h
OF August when the strong post at Coutr.ras VS.
invested, Gen. Pillow being the senior officer of TIE
troops designated for service against that most this
GeHerai, as he almost proved before the Court OF
inquiry subsequently,, 10 an interview with Gene
ral then Colonel, Riley, sugg sted, it oud APP
pear somewhat 10 the way of query, t-Csn Won
not with your regmeat) get into tue rear of the
enemy ana N Ike an assault theF-" Gen. Rey's
recollection was by no means clear as to what Gen
Pillow said aud it plain that nothing that could
be called plan of battle was suggested n.ch less
d.. i'm RTTr Al
reaching the rear OF Contreras and there repulsed
handsomely cha &c of Mexican horse; but no as
sault was made upon Contreras
That vrning, as slready stated, Gen. Smith pro-
posed night NOV, meut By which body OF men
was to be LurOwn ia position for a daylight Assault
the next morning, from the direction of some tim
Der beyond the position reached By Gen. Riley the
dsy before, and this the plan in which Gen
Pillow, as declared to Ar. Trist, had no confidence
The plan succeeded, aud CODtrerss fell easily into
the possession oil our forces, though occupied by
o,OOO choice troops with some twenty pieces Of
artillery. under command of Gen VALESTI6 one
OF the most distinguished of Mexico's Generals
here were taken a number of Mexican officers of
high rank, both civil and military, aud here. too.
we're recovered the two six Founders so nobiy de
lThoed' though honofably lost, at Buena Vlsta, in
the pr cedii F bruary
In the official report of this battle. Gen. Pillow
though actually in bed at San Augustine, thr e or
Iour miles from the scene of action when the bat
tie came on, and after the secret caution to Mr.
irlst TO remember bis disapproval of the plan for
the assault, actually claimed that the battle was
fought after has plan, defending this monstrons as
sertion subsequently, by referring TO some nevey-,et
certified something, alleged to have been SAID 20
Gen. Riley, the day before, which came to nothing
whatever it was.
Now, the reader will please mark what fol-
lowed
Alter the American Army had entered the Cant
SfOff had "A. =
delicate task OF making general report of the op
eTatons OF the army in the valley of Mexico for
which purpose he was obliged TO read very carefully
the ports oil the various commanders who had re-
spectively reported upon their OVID operations. he
feli upon the report of Gen. Pillow upon the taxing
OF Contreras de could not fail to notice the alb
surdly and grossly false claim therein set M of
having planned the method of assault by which
that place Was taken-having certain knowledge
that the plan had been propose by Gen Smith
under circumstances already stated 1t became
necessary for Gen. Scott assign the honor TO Gen
smith to whom it was due, aud thinking or hoping
that Gen. Pillows sense of justice needed nothing
out hint to induce him TO modify hi. report, he
wrote private note to him. calling his attention
to 40 inadvertency, by which, il unchanged an in
Jury might bh done to Gen. Smith, and asking him |
10 reconsider his report. To Gen. SCOTS great
surprise, Gen. T. declined to change his report !
and reiterated bis pretension that the battle had
been fought 10 accordance with his plan. In this
state OF things, Gen. Scott determined to make
another effort and addressed anOther priUats note
20 ten. Pillow, and reasoned the point with him
lrgpg him TO modify his report "a NOT IN inter-
ere with the just claims Of Gen Smith, snd here
was that Gen. Scott, in a spirit OF Kindness and
eonciiatiou, condescended TO appeal TO Gen. Pill
ows better feelings, if be had any. and professed
us earnest wish to maintain friendly relations will
iim on any terms eojtsStet ssith justice aud honor
las If he han s il: You are 6AseIy attrInp.,ng |
SfpIf of
o him. and it is my dnty see Justice done to ali
u tue otnceFs OF the army; to yourself honor |
our good qualities, and desire TO maintain friendly
ciations with You, but mark, only on terms con-
lstent with justice and honor WAC does not see |
nat TINS Is the true spirit Of the earnest desire so
rauduientiy psraded, of Gen Scott, to secure the /
friendship OF his second ia command
10 any eye out one bleared by vanity or blinded /
y moral o6liquity, the note from Gen Scott was
ne Oh toe most insulting that could have been
enned. IL expressed condition for the main.
ehahee OF friendly relations which, to consciously
Il-tlIiusd num- would have gone to the heart
i'm tue eject OF two-edged sword. Ii contain
d plain imputation that Gen Pillow might be a
lshonest man; that he might be caDable of y,5b- |
'"g brother soldier Of his justly ACQUIRED donors
Inc enc sufficiently illustrates the characters of
he TWO men. Gen. Pillow persisted ia bis preten-
Oos ana zen scott, as he could not maintain
1ehdiy relations with him "consistenuy with JUS
&c anG honor, dropped those relations; sBd nov.
mole years having intrrVened Gen Pillow woaiG
ave ms readers beeye that Gen Scott sousht
lost anxiously bis friendship.
But must desst from further comments poon
I'D dlscredltabla address, ld as il Is With artfal-
stated H-Lruths, which often a species of
ost detestable iasehoois, and leave 10 others The
sk, Il any one thinks it worth while. TO show how
r. postefous It is in Gen Pillow TO criticise the Oh
'atons Of the sFu'y under Gen. Scott, making his
hlnshss upon circumstances only brought TO light |
= the accomplishments OF the events referred TO-
NC eoes net k"o" what sort OF e csptclty il r
ilIes % Plaza operations after the fact, aud show
?" much better things might have been done ? |
aQs Gen. Pillow 6nds fault With the armis,Ice
anted by Gen. Scott to the Aexicans while their
'Vsrnment was yet Intact within the city, and had
. nishsSt motives Tor making peace to prevent |
wing the streets Of The espitli dshouored By the
sad o. forsieu aEmy. Gsn. Scott knew that the
vas virtually 10 bic possession on the evening
sas oassie Of CheFHbusco, and heard hin tell
Q Aexlean Commissioners so AZ the moment tbey
ssented the application Of Santa Anna for an ar
isuee' Gen scott knew that be could enter the
- out be knew, also that his doing so would dis
fse The sosFFEment, aad tbst it might require / 8
rose months afterwards 10 fnd a governmeLt in
aai'ioH 70 make praee, as proved 20 be the
Sc When, finally, be did enter the city. There
4 Reasonable hope Of avoi ling that delay oy
ceolng 10 the proposed aFaiistice. That Il vas
: ayoiced Gen. Pillow has bad the viz 10 see, !
Ter TIE fact, and noS comments upon II.
~ l. pfopgT Tor me 10 say that some tyo years
zee | resigned my commission 10 the ara,y IN
iieh bad served marty forty years, and have
sSnt ssii-itposed fstiFsment "a pursue course
study altogether priv &c and psrsOozl, with no
IRE OF intention OF minsiing 10 any political or
her eontroEersi s; but meeting nith this base At
npt, - consider il, Of Gen Pillow, % thros
credit upon The oBe sollies Of our country whom =
: eou1tTy delights 90 honor, uhose ssConaae- Of