Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1858-08-14

Gen. Quitman in the Mexican War.
The death of Gen. ohm A. Quitman seems
TO create much regret all over the country,
and among men Of oil parties. His civic and
military career is sketched by the press gen.
orally with mnch minuteness. From an &C.
count OF his services during the Mexican war
we copy the following
Gen. Qutman's first demonstration against
the enemy was the storming of Fort Tame.
ria, strong work at the lower part of the
town of Monterey which he attacked at the
head OF the Tennessee regiment and the
Mississippi rifles on the 2lst day of Septem-
Der, 1916, and captured on the 23d. lie was
one OF the first TO enter the city. On the
death Of General llarmer aud the retirement
OF General Butler, the command OF the entire
volunteer force fell to General Qnitman. lie
was entrusted by General Taylor with the
command Of the expedition against Victoria,
the capital Of Tanaulipas; assaulted that
place with seven regiments, and took posses
sion Dec. 2S. lSl7. Ills forces were after.
ward joined to the army under General Scott.
lie was at the taking Of Vera Cruz. and con-
tlnued IN active service throughout the whole
OF that memorable campaign. While on the
road, advancing with his command in support
OF General Worth, who was about attacking
the city OF Puebla, General Qnitman received
his commission from the President as major
general of the army. lie now outranked
Gen. Worth, but be pushed on to support
lin, and when that gallaut general entered
the city, Qultman, on arriving there, declined
to exhibit his commission or TO supersede in
any way the captor Of Pueblo.
During the subsequent operations before
the city of Mexico he continued high in the
confidence Of General Scott, and was ap-
pointed by him to posts Of distinction on
several occasions. AT Chaputepcc he led
in person the assault on the batteries on the
south side, at the foot Of the hill, and after
wards continued his victorious course along
the Tacnbaya causeway to the city. la this
gallant enterprise there was generous emu.
latlon between bis division and that of Gen.
Worth, which was also advancing upon the
city along tho San Cosme causeway. During
the early part OF the night the advance con.
tinucd, the head OF both columns sending
their flashes Of sulphurous light across the
plain. One hour and twenty Minutes past
midnight the Garita Of Been was gained
Qu.tman Immediately mounted upon por-
ton OF the wall, and waving rifle with
handkerchief attacked to it as u flag, called
upon those around him to mark the hour and
to note the position Of the head of Worths
column, which WAS still some hundreds Of
yards from the Garta Of San Cosme.
Here the battle ulled for time, while the
exhausted troops were ordered to lie down
on their arms for a few hours repOse. Send.
ing an nd TO report to General Scott his
position, Qutman, in company with Major
Beauregard, of the engineers, proceeded to
select positions and throw up batteries
against the citadel. which was Immediately
III iront OF them. After some time the aid.
de-camp returned, and Quitman unxiously
inquired: What news from head quarters q
Every one says that you will not be able
to hold the position" replied the ad-de.
camp, land that you will have to fall back"
But what did General Scott say :! hastily
demanded Quitman. did he send me any
orders 2"
General Scott said, sir, that he would
not embarrass you with orders"
IL thank General Scott for this. Then,
gentlemen, we will hold the position" said
General Quitman, "and go to the National
Palace"
And he did hold it, and at seven o'clock of
that morning lie boisted the American flag
on the National Palace in the city. He was
thus the first TO enter the capital, as be had
been the first in Monterey.
General Scott appointed him Governor Of
the city, and after few weeks be received
orders from Washington to come home TO
confer with the government as TO the military
occupation Of Mexico. Peace, however, was
soon after concluded.