Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1857-05-27

nently true of the country, and is not rare Il
the population of the cities and towns. Gu
people are early familiar with the use of arms
and the drill of o few weeks converts them int
regular and efficient soldiers. 1t is far other
wise with the population Of Europe. With tn
noble institution at West Point to make mate
rial for officers, and small regular army for
nucleus, our volunteer system will work well
1t has worked admirably. speak Of the South
The regulars hold volunteer force very cheap
This is natural Yet the Mexican campaign
worked some change in this inve:erate preju
dee.
After the heat of the day at Churubusco,
Palmetto Commissary, who had left his provis
ion wagons and rushed into the fight, approach
ed Gen. Twiggs, the stern old warrior, and ask
cd the loan of some provisions for our exhaust
ed troops. "No, sir! why did you not attent
to that, and bring up your own provisions {?
As the detected Commissary walked away
Twiggs said to an officer, "who is that youn:
fellow 2" "He is Commissary of the Palmet
tos." &c Is he? call him back" Why did yol
not tell me you belonged to the Palmetto Regi
ment, sir? take from my wagons what proviS
ions your people require"
Mr.. President, offer the following toast:
Il Volunteer Citizen Soldiery-Its safety, eff,
cheney, and gallantry, as illustrated by the con
duct of the Pamettos in the Mexican war.
Maj. Meishan being called on, offered:
His Erceliency The COMMANDMENTS Chiet-Ed
ucated as a soldier, the volunteer system vii
not suffer under his administration.
Gov. Allston responded to the compliment
and expressed his high appreciation of the sys
tenn, which he said would meet his hearty sup
port, unless a more efficient one could be adop.
ted. He concluded by calling on DR.. r. W
Gibbes to favor the company with the reading
of letter in his possession, which added strong
testimony to what he had said Of the value and
efficiency of volunteers.
DR.. R. W. Gibbes came forward and said
Mr.. PREslDENT:-Is was my good fortune
during the administration of the excellent and
revered Gov David johnson, to receive from
his hands the valuable historical document
which it will be a mournful pleasure now to
read. Knowing that had long been collecting
and preserving manuscripts relating to our his
tory, he presented me this letter, which is the
official communication from General Shields OF
the death Of the heroic Butler, and the deeds
of bis men. am pleased, sir, to have the honor
OF preserving it to this time, and hope, when a
records is completed in tho new State Capitol,
to place along side the tattered flag OF the Pal
mctto Regiment this sacred relic OF the war
and contribution to its true history. Sir: this
single sheet contains chapter of the hig ghest
interest to South Carolina-to tie patriotism
and courage of her gallant sons-,and adds ad-
ditional lustre to tho annals of American his
tory,
DR.. Gibbes then read as follows:
HEADQUARTERs IsT Brio. Vol: DIV; -
San Augustin, Sept. 9, 1917. :
Sir Permit me to condole with you and
your State, upon the loss of one Of its citizens,
and one of the brarest and noblest officers of
the army, Col. Pierce NJ. Butler. lie rose from
a sick bed, On the 18th ult, when his regiment
was ordered to march from this place to the
battle field of Contrcras, placed himself at its
head, and weak and fccblc as he then was, en-
coulagcd and animated his troops ovor one Of
the most difficult routes ever trod by tho foot
Of man.
On the morning Of the 25th, when the attack
WAS made on the cnemy'S position, he threw
his regiment across the main road to Mexico,
and poured fire so terrible and destructive on
the enemy's masses, that the road and corn
fields might be said to be left literally covered
with the dead and dying.
From Contrcras, where the force under Val
encia was broken to pieces, we pursued the
routed foe towards Mexico, aal came up with
the main body Of his army strongly fortified at
the village Of (ihurubuscc, Here the odds
against sLGt pogticn of the force which had
tho honor to command were fearful, five to one
at least, with every advantage of ground. Moth
inc. however remained for us but to assault and
carry his position. \ check under the circum-
stances would be equivalent to 4 defeat, aud
defeat would result in the entire destruction Of
the army. We advanced, thereltTe, against tue
enemy, under one Of the most terrible fires to
which soldiers were ever subjected. The roll
of musketry vas so incessan that it re embed
enc prolonged continuous rolley. The conduct
of the Palmetto Regiment, both officers and
men. on this occasion has never been sur
passed on the field of battle. The Colonel:
whose great and noble qualities had endearcd
him not only to his own regiment hGt to the
whole army, having been previously wounded:
as well as having l.s horse shot under him, adj
yanced on foot in the front rank of his regi-
ment, aninlatng and encouraging his men, until
mrlsket ball through the head terminated his
life. The Lieut.. Colonel was shot down about
twenty minutes afterwards, with the colors OF
the regiment in his hand The Major, upon
whom the command devolred, pushed forward
his fore with spirit and gallantry-and though
upwards of one-thigd Of tue number fell on the
field, the charge was successful, the enemy was
driven from his position and pursued close to
the gates Of Mexico.
| could also speak Of the gallantry of. the
New York and tie other regiments OF my COM
mand. in this conncXion-but deem it inappro-
Pirate in letter OF this character The vcto-
ry, though one of the most glorious ever achieved
by American arms, has been dearly purchased
by the sacrifice of some af she noblest spirits Of
our ceuniiy. The loss Of Col. Butler in partic-
ular, has been deeply felt by the whole army.
10 me he was endeared by. the strongest ties of
love and friendship; mourned over his fall
with feelings of deep and heartfelt afhiction, and
through my whole life, whatever may be FAY
own future fate, should always take q deap
interest in all that concerns his name name and Gami
ly. Permit me, sir, tc. say i, conclusion, that
trust the gallant State upon which his death has
shed such Iustre will supply the place of guardian
and protector to bis widowed family. [ have
the honor to he, sir, your obedient servant,
' JAMES SHIELDS,
Brisadier General.
His Excellency David johnson, Governor Of
South Carolina.
The reading q the lStter was attended with
renaa.2d applause, and the reader concluded
with offering the following sentiment:
The Palmetto Regiment-It fairly urned the
most accomplished soldier Of the age, Scott.tlhe
first of Southern chieftans, Quitnmn-aId ths
heroic representative of "Erle's green isle
Shields.
Capt. ), Blauding drew the attention Of the