The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1858-02-18
Washington Cor. Of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
Interesting Sketch of Gen. Quitman.


General John A. Quitman is one of the
most remarkable men in Congress. The
son 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 was early in the field as a soldier of for.
tune, and raised regiment for the Texas
revolutionary struggle. He is an old man.
dis hair, beard and moustaches are almos,
entirely white, but his eve is yet lus,rous
and clear, his arm muscular, and his spirit
rs 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
kindness of heart. No general was more
beloved by his soldiers. To General Omit.
mao, more than onv other man, belongs the
credit Of the capture of the city Of Mexico,
and the salvation Of the American army.
At the battle of Chepullapec, General
Scott invested him with discretionary rower
to move upon the city or not, as he saw fl,
after the hill Of Chapultepet was won. No
sooner was the American flag hoisted over
the ramparis, than tile command, "Quit.
mans Division to The City" was passed
along the line. and after receiving new sup.
plies OF ammunition, the tired, blood stain
Ell and shattered troops moved cheer fully
upon the Garita Belen. II 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, tho column was
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
or bugles cheered on that band of heroes a.
they swept to the storming charge. No
banners waved, but the Saxon cheer rose
above the roar Of the battle, the proud slo.
gan of victory. There, in the front rank,
was the gallant, gray.haired old chief, on
foot, IN greatly exposed situation, coolly
smoking his segar, and waving a rife, to
which his white handkerchief was attached
Like the white plume of Prince Henry ri
the battle of Navarro, IL was seen in the
thickest of the fight. General Quitman was
one Of the first men who leaped the ditch,
and, turning TO General Smith, asked him
the time of day. 1t was twenty minutes
past OHe CLOCK. Let whoever survives
this day remember that" said the General,
and at the same instant he announced that
they were the first Americans who had pass
ed the ramparts. have not space to dwell
longer upon the incidents Of that memo.a.
bic occasion-bow General Qutman 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 bloody
and powder-bcgrimmed soldiers, who thus
formed the advance corps of the army.
General Quitman has seen much civil and
political service. An able lawyer-he has a
fine reputation at the bar throughout Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana. lie has served in
Legislatures, in State Senates, in Cons,itu
iionai Conventions, and for four years was
Governor of Mississippi. He is man of
large fortune. liberal, and respected by all
who have business relations with him. He
is good speaker, bu, lacks the power of
voice necessary to popular orator. ....
a MAN has been committed to Jail at Stat.
fneI fs,r *, II