Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1858-01-13
From the Union d American.
Generals scott and Pillow.
THE HowITzER CASE.

In Genr Scott's second card, / am charged, in
,.oriunction with Gen. Worth and Col. Duncan,
18th conspiracy against him, during the Mexican
,ar. This charge, BEING now made for the first tim"
il due to a proper regard for public opinion, that
should specially reply to so grave charge, emana-
ing from so high scource.
II ia known to the country that General Scott
,as in command of the army which conquered Its
vay to the city of Mexico, and that was the sem
IT division commander in that army, ard in con-
uuence was next 10 command and rank to Gen
colt II il also known that Gen. Worth a
:reyet Major General of the United States, and
as in command of another division. 1t Is also
uown that Col. Duncan commanded battery Of
light Artillery-that he was three times breveted
his distinguished services, and that at the close
the war; was appointed by President Polk H.
pector General of the American army. 1t is like
Use known that at the close of that brilliant
CAMPAIGN General Worth, Colonel Duncan, and my
elf all placed under arrest-that charges were
referred against us, and court martial asked for,
y General Scott, for our trial. But the exact ma
ire Of the supposed offeuses-the character OF the
harges preferred, and the true and mOtiUes
9hch led TO these unhappy dlssensions, are not so
cell known. And now that Gen. Scott has delib-
rately, in a card published to the world over his
t,wn signature, charged that We were all engaged
Ia conspiracy against him-the commanding Cen
Nral of that army-an offence for which, if guilty,
20 should have forfeited commissions, and all
the only survivor of the three, to explain the
ure of that rupture-give the causes which led
! , 1.-THE character of the charges, and the re-
llt-that the public may understand how far this
rave charge is warranted by truth. This duty
ny part is the more imperative, nasmuch Gen.
colt, in the same card, charges the court which
rvestigated the charges against myself with cor
option in its finding and the late Chief Magistrate
vt the nation, with corruptly rewarding two MEM
OF that court "lor it's services in brow-beaI-
ing him and white-wasbing me-"
Ipropose, therefore, to investigate this subject,
ad shall confne the present article to the charge
sanst Notwithstanding for future communi-
ition the defence of Gen. Worth and Col. Dun-
an. These officers my friends while living,
I'D as we are now charged with being co-conspi-
ltors, it is my duty to defend their regulations,
''hen dead, against this defamatory charge OF their
Id prosecutor aud enemy.
As this charge relates back to the cause of my
,rrest the public will naturally expect to fnd in
ne causes assigned for my arrest in the charges
r proof in the cause, some reference to this con-
piracy. But not go. i arrested for alleged
,lsrespect to Gen. Scott n my appeal to the Gov
rnment from proceedings growing out of refec'
ions upon me, about two email howitzer guns
3. ptured by my command in storming Chapultepec.
he matter alledged to be dtsrespectfuL was my
statement in that appeal that Gen. Scout had de-
= rmined upon rupture with me- because of my
pposton to the 0rn,iStsce, and that the guns were
That NV statement of the facts of the case may
free from any bias, growing out of my position
3 an interested porty, have procured friend TO
t. Ike up the history OF the Mexican war, and the
cord OF the proce edings Of the Court of Inquiry,
u examine these solely with the view TO elicit
lNerefrom the truth and present the facts embodied,
to be Incorporated In this article. This having
cen done, give below the result, without any adj
ition or change on my part. IL will be seen TO be
brief and condensed narrative of the facts as
they appear OF record. 1t is as follows:
This charge made BY Gen. Scott against Gen Pill
to IA Rpey history Of sss geaesn
2, D: On account OF aspersons put forth against
nee by the commander inchef concerning the
small howitzers from the Castle Of ohapulteec,
IN he senanded a court Of inquiry. The hiding Of the
contained OF fact, and certain conclusions
requested that the should be fsrred back to
Vie for correction. Gen. Scott refused to the
quest and ON this refusal Gen. Pillow appealed TO the
Var Department.. The matter contained IN the appeal,
ad the which were therein suggested as those
ne expressed to send copy direct to the
shich took pace the 21st OF November, ls4T.'"
The error of fact and inference therefrom CON-
claimed OF, not that il found by the Court
4 Inquiry, that these guns were placed 10 his wa
on by his consent, or carried 10 the City CT Mex
for his benefit, or that they were ever IN his
POSSESSION in the City of Mexico. thai they were
'ity Of Mexico with any intention on the part OF
Illow TO appropriate them TO himself Scott in-
i,mated. No such thing wss found. But it was
uiierr, by the court that Pillow was aware of an
itention the part OF Welsh and Rogers, two
Dung officers. TO remove them TO the city Tor
themselves; aud that he did aequiesce 10 their re-
aoval of them. Aud this inference Is founded on
d mistake OF fact, clear and manifest in their hnd-
*, viz: that IL vas reported 10 Pillow that the
uns were not removed from bis wagon In conform
y with his order; the testimony being positive
uai no such report made to him.
The constitution making the President the cons
aander-in-ebief of the army and navy, and the
Mar Department having been organized with q
lev 10 take charge OF the land forces, an appeal
given In cases like this TO that Department, "
orrect from the mistakes and relieve from the
buses OF the Commanding General And, on
.a Investigation Of the evidence, Pillow Was re
ieved OF the charge Of allcdged sequi seence lr
she removal Of these guns by Welsh and Rogers
by inll and satisfactory exealpaIioa IRON the per
Of Mr. Marcy, then Secretary Of War The de
sermnstious of record, and the action Of the Gov.
ernmenL must be regarded as conclusive, alss
stand as the shield OF acquitted Officers agairs
subsequent attacks.
Knowing nothing whassver OF che facts exesp
what IL found in Ripley's History OF the nexicsl
War, and Ex- Doc. No. IS, hrst session S9th Cen
gress; she following facts are collected thersirom
lo-wit: The battles Of ContresSs aud Cbaru6uscs
we're fought ca the l9sh and 2olh days Of Angusst