Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1862-04-17
Mistelluneans.
Sketch Of Gen. Shields.


is native of the county in Tyrone, in
Ireland, where be was born in the year
1910. He is consequently about fifty
two years of age. He first came to this
country in the year 1926, being then
only sixteen years of age. In 1882 be
went West, and settled in Kaskaskia,
one of the oldest villages Of Illinois,
where he devoted his energies to the
study and practice Of the law. He was
soon after elected to the State Legisla-
ture, and in 1889 was mace State Au-
ditor. Four years later he was ap-
pointed Judge of the Supreme Court,
and in 1915, having received from Pre-
sident Polk the appointu. of Com
missioner of the General Land Office, he
removed to Washington. Upon the
breaking out of the Mexican war dur
ing the following year, the same Pres
ident, with rare discrimination and ap-
probation of character, appointed Mr..
Shields a Brigadier General of United
States Volunteers. His commission
was dated July l, 1916. He was pres
ent at the Siege of Vera Cruz, and even
there was particularly noted. At the
battle of Cerro Gordo he distinguished
himself greatly, and was the second
time uaturalizcd citizen of the United
States by shedding his blood in defence
of his adopted country's honor. A re-
cital of Gen. Shields deeds at that bat
tie seems more like the details of the
great actions of some famed hero of
romance than the plain narrative of the
conduct of 'one of Folks raw generals,
as the opposition styled him when ap-
pointed. Severely wounded, he con-
tinued on the field. urging on his men,
until ball passing through his lungs
struck him down. He was carried from
the battle field, and was reported so near
dead that obituary notices appeared of
the gallant General in nearly all the
papers Of the country. Even in the
neighborhood of the battle ground his
life was for weeks despaired of. and the
anecdote of bis cure is remarkable, as
it would appear improbable did the man
not live among US at the present time to
verify the statement. 1t appears that
he was entirely given over by the army
surgeons, when Mexican doctor said
he would live if he would let him re-
move the coagulated blood from the
wound. Shields, as a kill or cure rem-
edy, told him to try, and fine silk
handkerchief was worked and finally
drawn through the wound, removing the
cxtravasated 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, which was considered
at the time as mortal, having been
made by large copper ball, and going
directly through his body and lungs.
For bis gallant and meritorious conduct
on this occasion he was in August, 1S47,
brereted Major General of Volunteers.
Still suffering from his wounds we find
him commanding brigade in the valley
of Mexico, consisting of battalion Of
marines and regiments composed of New
York and South Carolina volunteers.
He was also in the battle Of Chepulte-
pee. where, being unhorsed, he fought
On foot, bareheaded and in his shirt
sleeves, leading his brigade, sword in
hand. with bravery that has mado bis
aame remarkable in American history.
He was again wounded, and that dan
but with care and good con-
,titution he recovered. His brigade,
after performing valorous deeds, ending |
in the capture of the city of Mexico,