The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-08-11

was this same corps which subsequently,
under the command of General Felix
lluestou, routed .the vagabonds from
Natchez "under the hill" in 1885. For
many yenrs Quitman continued ia com
mand Of this company, and IN 1888 he
was appointed major of the second dlvis.
ion OF Mississippi militia. He at once
reformed the military code of the State
and gave new life to its military organ
ization.
In lS45 war was declared between tie
United States aud Mexico. Major Quit.
man rendered his services to the govern.
ment and was appointed one Of the six
Bngadier Generals 10 command the vol.
untter force. He at once placed himself
en- route, and in short time Joined Gen
era Taylor, who was then advancing up.
on Monterey. By forced marches and
leaving behind II large portion OF his bag
gage, General Quitman succeeded in ioi,
ing tie army with his division while the
orders were being given for the attack of
that city; General Taylor assigned him
at once position, and on the following
morning Quiman was the first TO enter
that city, under u very heavy fire Of the
enemy. On the Ge 9TH Of General Har
mer and the retirement Of General But
Ter TO recover from his wounds, the wholo
volunteer force fell under tue command Of
General Quitman and the severe labor
o' dr,il WAS prosecuted with an unliriua
patience and zeal never surpassed in
any service.
Tue scene OF active operations having
how passed 10 what is called the lower
lite OF Aex'co. General Qm,man was
transferred to the command of General
Scott. lie was at the taking oi Vera
Cruz, and continued in active service
throughout the whole Of that memorable
campaign. While on the road, nLvau.
cling with his command in support OF Gen
Worth, who was abOut attacking TIE city
Of Puebla, General Q ,i;man received his
commission hom the President as Major
General OF The army. He now outrauked
Gen. Worth, but he pushed on L" snp
por. hm, and when that gallant genera
entered the city, Quitman on arriving
theie, declined To EXHIBIT his comm! ssiuu
or TO supersede in any way the caplor OF
Puehla.
During the subsequent operations be.
fore the city ot Mexico. he continued high
IN the confidence oi Gen Scott, and was
appointed by him to posts OF distinction
on several occasions. At Chapultepec he
led in person the assaults OIL the batteries
on the south side, at the foot Of the ill,
and aflerward continued his victorious
Course along the Tacu!mya cnuseway 10
Tie city In this gallant enterprise there
MAS generous rmulaiinu n"tw cen his iii
vision.and that of Gener,I Worth, which
was also advancing upon the city slong
the San Cnsne causewAv. During the
early part oi the night the advance con
tInued, the head Of both columns seud.
ing their flashes Of salphurous light across
tlie PLAIN. One hour aud twenty minutes
past midnight the iarila Of Bclen WAS
gained, Quitman immed,rtely mounted
upon portion of the wall, and waving
rifle with handkerchief attached 10 il
as flag, called upon those around him
TO mark the hour aud TO note the posi-
ion OF the head nf Worth's column.
which was still some hundreds Of ya,ds
from the Garita Of San Cosme.
Here the battle lulled for time, while
the exhausted troops were ordered TO lie
! down on their arms for few hours re
pose. Sending an aid to report to Gene.
raj Scott his position, QuIlman in com.
pany with Major Beauregard, OF the En-
gineers, proceeded TO select positions and
throw up batteries against the citadel,
which was Immediately in front Of them.
After some time the aid de camp returned,
and Qu'tman anxiously inquired, "What
news from head quarters
Every one says that you will not be
able to hold the position" replied the
aid de.camp, 'aud that you will not fall
back"
"But what did General Scott say ~
hastily demanded QuitmsE. "Did he
send me any orders :"
General Scott said, sir, that he would
not embarrass you with orders"
" thank General Scott for this. Then.
gentlemen, ws will hold the position ssid
General Quitman, "an1 20 TO the Ma.
uonal Palace And he did hold il, and
ut seven o'clock Of that morning he hos
ted the American F.ag on the National
Palace in the city. He was thus the first
to enter the capital as lie had been the
first in Monterey.
Geaeral Scott appointed him Governor
OF the city, and after few weeks he re-
celved orders from Washington to come
home. The government had determined
TO hold the republic Of Mexico, and the
object OF calling General Quitman to
Washington was TO arrange the plan OF
military occupation and give him his in :
slructions as Governor Of the conquered
territory. These views OF tie government
were overthrown by the Unauthorized
treaty OF Guadalupe Hidalgo. which
changed the whole future Of Mexico. and
lost us the great results which must have
flowed from our victories.
General Qnitman did not return 10
Mexico, but proceeded to his home at