The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-20
General Shields on the Death OF General
auitmas.

/ JEFFERSON DAVIS. Gen. SHIELDS seconded
the resolutions Of coincidence, in the follow.
ing able and interesting speech
/ Before vote is taken on these resolutions
/ ! wish 10 make few remarks az tribute
/ Of respect to the memory OF the deceased.
| regret that it is not in my power, on this oc.
cason, TO do full justice to the character OF
one Of the trucst friends and bravest soldiers
with whom it has been my lot to be associ
ated through life. 1t was my good fortune
to be closely and intimately connected with
I Gen. Qnitman 10 Mexico. In some Of our
campaigns in that country we happened to
( be- thrown together in many a scene gilmore
than ordinary suffering and peril. This
connection eDgendered a strong personal
attachment between US; which strengthened
into feeling Of bro,herly affection before
the close Of the war--a feeling that continu.
( Cd without interrupt on until the last mo.
/ ment Of his existence.
/ The deceased was endowed by nature
with all those solid, sterling qualities, which
render man loved and respected in private
I life or in public station. He was an aflec-
tomato father, a kind neighbor, ard an up
right citizen lie was simple, courteous
and dignited in his department, scrupulous-
! ly honest in his dealings with others, and
/ firm, inilexibla and fearless in the perform.
/ ance Of whatever in his conscience he be.
/ lieved 10 be his duty. In word and deed
! his bearing and conduct on all occasions
! and under all circumstances, were such that
no man ever approached him without be-
coming impressed with the inherent manli.
ness aad the exalted beroism Of his whole
| character.
! have listened with interest to the able,
eloquent and truthful remarks OF the Senator
from Mississippi. He has spoken fecingly
and torclby OF the character and services Of
hIs deceased colleague. lie served with him
in Mexico, and fought by his side at Monte
rey. The eulogy which he has this day
pronounced upon his courage and conduct
on that occasion, is the testimony of a gal
. liant soldier, who shared with him the
! perls and glories Of that memorable siege.
can say nothing in this connection but
what would be likely TO impair the effect
OF what has been 50 well stated already; so
/ viii pass to other scenes with which hap
4 pened to be more familiar, and in which
our deceased friend performed u prominent
! part
| The siege Of Vera Cruz ia one OF the
most remarkable of the kind in our military
annals. Like the battle Of New Orleans,
| II presents an Instance Of magnificent re-
suit achieved with considerable loss. At
that siege, although the perils were not ex-
tremely imminent, the services required and
/ performed were, IN general OF the highest
Importance. During the investment and
bombafdment OF the city, General Q1itman
performed the duty allotted him with so
much zeal and activity that he won for him.
self high reputation in the Army. Alter
the TALL Of Vera Cruz, the American Army
took up its line of march for the capital OF
Mexico. Owing to accidental circumstances
and greatly to his own regret. the deceased
was prevented from participating in the
frs, engagement that took place on that
line. But notwithstanding this, his soldier
ly conduct upon all occasions was so con
spicuous that he continued from day to day
to augment the reputation be had previously
achieved ut Monterey and Vera Cruz.
But, Mr.. President, It WIS in the last en-
gagemcn,s in the valley Of Meyico--those
brilliant exploits that crowned succession
Of glorious victories-that General Quitman
exhibited that energy and efficiency which
established his reputation ia the Army as an
accomplished soldier and an able and sue
cesslul commander. On the morning # the
9Th OF September, lSI1, the division theu
under his command, received orders 10 unite
IN a general attack upon the castle q; Chap
ul,cpec. The moment the word was given,
the troops dashed across the plain that
stretched between the main road aud the
castle. carried few batteries which they
found in their route, forced their way up the
side Of the steep hIll on which that ancient
fortress stands, in the face Of destructive
fire, and united on the summit with the d
vision under the gallant Pillow. in a com
bined attack upon tue castle. The attack
was as successful az it was bold and impet-
aous. Chapul,epec tell and the TALL of that
fortress placed the military key 10 the City
OF Mexico in the hands OF the Americans
This was our morning : work--a work al
mrably conceived by the Commander in
Chief. aud spleudIdIy executed by the troops
appointed 10 the service.
Early in the afternoon Of the same DAY
The troops OF the same division attacked aud
pursued large force OF the enemy aloug
the aqueiuct on one Of toe main roads 10
Mexico, drove them headlong through the
Garota Belen. assaulted and took that Tia.
reta AZ the pom, Of the bsyonet, 10 the face
u a murierous tire of grape and nuske,ry
All having driven the enemy from the bat
teries that commanded the entrance. threw
themselves down upon the ground moist
with their own blood and the blood o! the
eaemy, and slept upon their arms the follow.
ing nght within the walls OF tie city they
bad jus, captured with such unparalleled in
irpdjly, and throughout that whole DAY
General Qlitman sas 10 he constantly seen
At the head q his command, n the mllsi OF
the hre, anlmaiing his troops, directing their
movements, and inIusing his Own daring
spirit into his battslions
Mr. pres.den,, IN referring TO these excit-
t'g scenes, there are memories u the pas,--