The Nevada Democrat., 1858-03-31
sketch Of General Quitman.

General John A. Quitman is one of the most
remarkable men in Congress. The son Of a
Lutheran clergyman, born in the State of New
York, he, at an early age, wandered to the
South, which has ever since been his home.
Possessed of great bodily vgor, an active mind,
and daring spirit, he was early in the field as
soldier of fortune, and raised regiment for
the Texas revolutionary struggle. He is now
an old man. His hair. head and moustaches
are almost entirely white, but his eye ia yet
lustrous and clear, his arm muscular, and his
spirit as high strung as in the days of his prime.
His has been an eventful career. In Mexico
he was greatly distinguished for his skill as a
general, his dauntless bravery, and his kind.
ness Of heart. No general was more beloved
by his soldiers. To Gen. Qutman more than
any other man belongs the credit of the cap
the American army.
At the battle Of Chapultepec, General Scott
invested him with discretionary power to move
upon the city or not, as he saw ft, after the
hill Of Chapultepec was won. No sooner was
the American flag hoisted over the ramparts,
than the command, "Quitman's division to the
city," was passed along the Il he, and after re-
ceiving new ammunition, the tired, blood-stain-
ed and shattered troops moved cheerfully upon
the Garatico Belen. 1t was this prompt move
ment which decided the Mexican war. Let the
Il
py to add my testimony to the fact. On the
causeway the column was foremost, and then
the decisive charge took place. There was the
gallant Shields wounded; there Major Lorng
of the rifles fell. 1t was a desperate hour. No
drums nor bugles cheered on that band Of he
roes as they swept to the storming charge. No
banners waved. but the Saxon cheer rose above
the roar of battle, the proud slogan Of victory
There. in front ranks, was the gallant. gray
haired old chief, on foot in a greatly exposed
situation, cody smoking his segar, and waving
o rife to which handkerchief was attached. |
Like the plume Of Prince Henry, at the battle
Of Navarro, it was in the thickest of the fight
General Quitman was one of the first men who
leaped the ditch and. turning to Gen. Smith.
asked him the time Of day.
II was twenty minutes past o'clock. "Let
whoever survives this day remember that" said
the general, and at the same instant he an-
nounced that they were the first Americans that
passed the ramparts.
Ihave not space to dwell longer upon the Incl
dents of that memorable occasion-how Gen.
Quitman led his column into the Grand Plaza
and formed it in frent of the Palace and there
was the American flag saluted by the little
band of bloody and powder-grimmed soldiers
who thus formed the advance corps Of the army.
General Quitman has seen much civil and
political service. AS an able lawyer, hc has a
nne reputation at the bar throughout Missis-
sippi and Louisiana. He has served in Legs-
latures, in State Senates, in Constitutional Con-
ventions and for four years was Governor of
Mississippi He is a man of large fortune, libe-
raj, and respected by all who have business re-
lations with him. He is a good speaker. but
lacks the power Of voice necessary to popular
orator Wash. Cor Cincinnati Inquirer.