Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1858-02-19
General Quitman.

A Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati En-
qulrer gives the following interesting sketch of this dis
tinguished man:
9Gen. John A. Quitman is one of the most remarka-
BILE men in Congress. The of 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 vigor an active mind
and daring spirit, he early in the field soldier of
fortune and raised regiment for the Texas revolution
ary struggle He is now an old man. His hair, beard
and musaches are almost entirely white, but his eye
yet lustrous and Clear his muscular and his spirit
as hghstrung in the days of his prime His has been
an eventful career In Mexico he greatly distin-
gushed for his kill general, his dauntess bravery
ed by his soldiers. To Gen. Quitman more than any
other man belongs the credit of the capture of the City
of Mexico and the salvation of the American army.
At the battle Of Chepultepec Gen. Scott invested him
with discretionary power to move upon the city not,
as he saw fit after the hill of Cheputepec
No sooner was the American flag hoisted the ram
parts than the command, Quitman's Division to the
City was passed along the line, and, after receiving
new supplies of ammunition, the tired boodstained and
shattered troops moved cheerfuly upon the Garatco
Belen. 1t was this prompt movement which decided
the Mexican War Let the honor rest where it is due
For one, am happy to add my testimony to the fact
On the causeWay the column foremost and then the
decisive charge took place. There was the gallant
Shields wounded; there Major Loring, of the Rifles,
fell 1t was desperate hour. No drums nor bugles
storning charge. No banners waved, but the Saxon
cheer above the of battle the proud slogan of
victory. There in the front rank, the gallant gray
haired old chief foot in greatly exposed situation,
cOOly smoking his segar, and waving rifle to which his
white handkerchief attached Like the white plume
of Prince Henry at the battle of Navarro it was
in the thickest of the fight. Gen. Quitman of
the first men who eaped the ditch and turning to Gen
eral Smith asked him the time of day.
1t was twenty minutes past O'Clock. " Let who
survives this day remember that said the General
and at the instant he announced that they were
the first Americans who had passed the ramparts. [
have not the space to dwell longer upon the incidents of
that memorable occasion-how Gen. Quitman led his
column into the Grand Plaza and formed it in front of
the Palace and there was the American flag saluted
by the little band of bloody and powder begrimmed
soldiers who thus formed the advance corps of the army
Gen. Quitman has seen much civil and political ser
vice. An able lawyer he has fine reputation at the
bar throughout Mississippi and Louisiana. he has
served in Legislatures in State Senates in Constitution
al Conventions and for four years Governor of Mis-
sssipp He is of large fortune, liberal and res
pected by all who have business relations with him. He
good speaker but lacks the power of voice nece
sary to popular orator.
1t appears from the official statement received at the
Post Office Department that the sum for prepaid post
age on letters sent from the New York Post Office for
the quarter ending December last S10O00ess than the
receipts for the preceding quarter. The sum for post
age stamps and stamped envelopes sold, also shows
decrease Of $4,000.