Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1862-04-19
General Shields.

Acting Major General James Shields is
a native of Tyrone, in Ireland, where he
was born in the year 1910. He is conse
qucntly about So years of age. In 1882
he went West, and settled in Kaskaskia,
one of the oldest villages in Illinois where
he devoted his energies to the study and
practice of the law. He was soon after
elected to the State Legislature. and in
1889 was made State Auditor. -Four
years later he was appointed Judge of the
Supreme Court, and in 1S45, having re.
ceived from President Polk the appoint
mont of Commissioner of the General
Land Office, he removed to Washington.
Upon the breaking out Of the Mexican war
during the following year, the same Pres
ident, with rare discrimination and appre.
citation of character appointed Mr.. Shields
Brigadier General Of the United States
Volunteers. His commission was dated
July lst, 1si6. lie was present at the
siege of Vera Cruz, and even there was
particularly noted. At the battle of Ger.
ro Gordo he distinguished himself greatly
and was the second time naturalizod a cit.
ize of the United States by shedding his
blood in defence of his adopted countrys
honor. A recital Of Gen. Shields deeds
at that battle seems more like the details
of the great actions cf some famed hero Of
romance than the plain narrative of one of
"Polk's raw Generals" as the opposition
styled him when appointed, Severely
wounded he continued on the field, urging
on his men, until ball passing through
his lungs, struck him down. lie was car
rcd from the battle- field, and was repor.
ted SO near dead that obituary notices ap-
pcarod Of the gallant General in nearly all
the papers of the country. Even in the
neighborhood Of the battle-ground bis life
for weeks was dispaircd OF, and the anec.
dotc of his cure is remarkable, as it would
appear improbable did not the man live
among us at the present time to verify the
statement 1t appears that he was entire
ly given over by the army surgeons, when
q Mexican doctor said he would live if he
would let him remove the coagulated blood
from the wound Shields as a kill or
cure remedy, told him to try, and fine
silk handkerchief was worked and finally
drawn through the wound, removing the
extravasated blood, when daylight could
be seen through the hole. And yet Shields
to day is hale and hearty man, free from
disease or any Inconvenience from his
wound, whien was considered at the time
as mortal, having been made by large
copper ball, and going directly through
his body and lungs. For his gallant and
mcritorious conduct on this occasion he
was, in August ls4s, breyctted Major
General of Volunteers, Still suffering
from his wounds, we find him commanding
brigade in the valley of Mexico, consist,
ing of battalion of marines and rogi.
mcuts COMPOSED Of New York and South
Carolina Volunteers. He was also in the
battle Chepultcpcc, whore being unhorsed ,
he tought on foot, barehcadcd and in his
shirt sleeves, leading his brigade, sword N
hand, with bravery that has made his
name remarkable in American history
lie was again wopndcd, and that danger
ously, but with care and good constItu.
tuition be recovered. His brigade, after
performing valorous deeds, ending in the
capture Of the city of Mexico, was disban-
dcd on the Goth, Of July, l8iS. The
war being ended, Gen, Shields laid down
the sword, and assumed once moro his
place in civil life.
lie was brilliantly received on his ar
rival in the United States; and when he
yeturnedt the State ofAi3 choice Illinois)
Lc was elected to fill the position vacated
by Mr.. Brecse--that Of Senator from this
State to represent it in the capitol at
Washington. This was in the year Is49,
Owing to some tcchnicality he was refused
admission as a Senator when he promptly
resigned the post and was as promptly re-
elected. lie returned to Washington, and
for six years proved himself to be as able
in council as he was Oh the battle field
He was unoslentaiious and modest, spoke
but seldom but when he did it was with
marked eject, and secured for him uni
versal attention. lie represented the in
terests of the ,Dewoeratic party, and was
firm in his position, IN 1855 he left the
Senate, leaving at the same time Illinois,