Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-02-06
VOL. X.-No. 20.
sketoh of Gen. 0nitman.

General John A. Quitman is one of tho
most remarkable men in Congress. The
sou of a Lutheran clergyman, born in the
State of New York, he, at an early ace,
wandered to the South, which has ever
since been his home. Possessed of great
bodily Ylgor, an active mind and daring
spirit, he was early in the field as soldier
of fortune, and raised a regiment for the
Texas revolutionary struggle He is now
! an old man. His hair, beard and mustacbes
are almost entirely white, but his eve is
! yet lustrous and clear, his arm muscular
and his spirit as high strung as in the days
OF hls prime. His has been an eventful
career. In Mexico he was greatly distin-
guishcd for his skill as a general his
dauntless bravery and his Kindness of heart.
No general was more beloved by his sold,
lers. To General Quitman more than anv
other man belongs the credit of the capture
of the City Of Mexico and the salvation of
the American army.
AT the battle of Chepultepcc Gen. Scott
invested him with discretionary power TO
move upon the city or not, as he saw fit.
after the hill of Chepultepec was won. No
sooner was the hc'American flag hoisted over
the ramparts, than the command, "Ouit-
mans Division to the City" was passed
along the line, and after receiving new
supplies OF ammunition, the tired, blood
stained and shattered troops moved cheer
fully upon the Garatico Belcn. 1t was this
prompt movement which decided the Mex
lean War Let the honor rest whore it is
due For one, / am happy to add NV tes-
timony to the fact. On the causeway The
eGqqlldnImn GqqlldnIm was foremost, and then the decisive
Shields wounded R%chere- was the gallant
the Rifles fell. 1t was Desperate -nuaf
No drums nor buglcs checred 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 fvictory. There in the front
rank, was the gallant, gray haired old chief,
on foot, in a greatly exposed situation,
coolly smoking his scgar, and waving rifle
to which his white handkerchief was at
tached. Like the white plume of Prince
Henry at the battle of Navarro, it was seen
in the thckest of the fight. Gen. Quitmau
was one of the first men who |, ap I'd the
ditch, and turning to General Smith asked
him the time of day.
1t was twenty minutes past one o'clock.
IJSU NHuCNO Vi SulNlVcS ltllS DAY TclnClllD0f
that" said the General, and at the same
instant he announced that they were tho
first Americans who had passed t. e ram
parts. have not space to dwell longer
upon the incidents of that memorable occa-
sion-how Gen. Quitman led his column
into the Grand Plaza, and formed it in
front of the Palace and there was the
American flag salated by the little band of
bloody and powdor-bcgrimmcd soldiers,
who thus formed the advance corps of the
army.
General Quitman has seen much civil
and political service. An able lawyer, he
has fiue reputation Mt the bar throughout
Mississippi and Louisiana. He has served
in Legislatures, in State Senatcs, in Con-
! stitutional 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, but lacks the power
of voice necessary to popular orator.
Cincinnati EagutYer.