Mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado Co., Cal.) 1854-1860, 1858-04-10
General QuitInan.

N aShlhgtOn correspondent OF the I'm
cinnati Enquirer gives the following inter
csting sketch Of this distinguished man:
"Gcn. 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 vigor, an active
mind and daring spirit, he was early in the
field as a soldier Of fortune, and raised a reg
iment for the Texas revolutionary struggle
lie is now ah old man. His hair, beard and
InOuStachcs arc almost entirely white but his
eye is yet lustrOus and clear, his arm muScu-
lar, and his spirit as high-strung as in the
days Of his prime. His has been an evcntful
career. In Mexico he was greatly distinguish
ed for his skill as general, his dauntlesS bra
very and his Kindness at heart No General
was more beloved by his soldiers. To Gcncr-
al Quitman more than any other man belongs
the credit Ofthc capture Of the City Of Mexico
and the salvation Of the American army.
At the battle Of Chcpultcpec Gen. Scott in.
vested him with discretionary power to move
upon the city or net, as he saw fit, after the
hill Of Chepultepec was won. No sooner was
the american flag hOiStcd over the rampartS,
than the command, "Quitmans Division to
the City was passed along the line, and, al.
ter receiving new supplies Of ammunition, the
tired, bloOdStaincd and shattered troops
moved checrfully upon the Garatico Bclcn.-
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 cauScway the
column was foremost, and there the decisive
charge took place. There was the gallant
Shields wounded; there Major Loring, Of the
rifles, fell No drums nor buglcS chccrcd on
that band Of heroes 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 the front
rank, was the gallant, gray haired old chief
on foot, in greatly exposed situation, cody
smoking his cigar, and woving rifle to which
his white handkerchief was attached. Like
the white plume Of Prince Henry Of the bat
tie Of Navarro, it was seen in the thickest Of
the fight. Quitman was one of the first men
who leaped the ditch, and turning to General
Smith asked him tho time of day.
1t was twenty minutes past one o'clock
LET whoever survives this day remember
that said the General, and at the same in
slant he announced that they were the first
Americans who had passed the ramparts. |
have not space to dwell longer upon the incl
dents Of that memorable occasiOn-hOw Gen.
Quitmsn 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 pOwdcr.begrimmed
soIsiiers who thus formed the advanced corps
Of 1hc army.
Gen. Quitman has seen much civil and po-
litical service. An able lawyer, he has fine
reputationat the bar thro'out Mississippi and
Louisiana. lie has served in Legislatures, in
State Scnatcs, in Constitutional Conventions,
and for four years was Governor Of Ms>issip-
pi lie is man Of large fortune, liberal and
respected by all who have business relations
with him. lie is good speaker, but lacks
the power Of voice necessary to popular Or
ntOr.