The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1877-08-28

SHou wy duu Will HIS WOlutT anu SiS
ter just arrived at womanhood, occupied
a house in the capital at the time of The
investment. One of the lawless guerrilla
chiefs who held the people of the city as
we'll as OF the country in terror, had
conceived a violeat passion for the sis
ter, who had repulsed his advances, and
he had declared in his rage, that unless
she consented 10 his proposals on the
following morning be would carry her
off by force, and cause her mother and
brother to be executed. The lad, in the
extremity of his terror, had made his
way out of the city, past the sentinels
and the lines, gained the American camp,
and now besought the general to save
his sister and mother. The ardent soul
of Shields (who was then but 81 was
fred at the thought of the miserable fate
awaiting these hapless ladies, and with
out communicating at all with headquar-
tiers (where fat refusal would have been
certain) be formed plan for the rescue
To call it rash, quixotic or dare devil,
would be but the truth; the best defense
of his proceedings of that night is that
it was brave act, prompted by a gene
rous heart, and that he succeeded per-
fectly, where disaster would have insured
his dismissal from the army. He had
about 400 picked men of his command
detailed, and after quietly informing them
of what he proposed to do, he found
every man eager for the adventure. Put.
ting himself at the head of the little col
umn he silently left the American lines,
and, favored by the darkness of the
night, approached close to the walls OF
the city without discovery. The senti-
nels could be plainly seen on the walls,
and the cry, "Sentinela alerte!" was
heard as it passed from mouth to mouth.
Guided by the lad, the party scaled the
wall at favorable place, and seizing two
or three of the astounded sentinels, de-
scended into the city. and quickly made
their way unopposed through the streets
to the house to which the lad guided
them. The boy ran in and informed the
ladies that deliverance had come. They
hastily collected few valuables and ar
ticles Of wearing apparel in bundle,
and placing the rescued party in the cen.
ter of the column Shields started to re-
turn. But meantime the alarm had been
given, and drums were beating and Ian
terms flashing all around the walls. Ar
rived near the point of entrance, it was
found that the whole open place between
the houses and the wall were flled with
Mexican infantry and artillery. Shields
Instantly deployed, and gave the com
mand to fire. A rattling volley,. follow
ed by a hayonet charge, threw the Mex,
leans into disorder, and the Americans
rushed through and over them with their
little party, made their way out, and re
turned to their own camp with but few
casualties, although they drew the fire of
ican camp was now aroused, and the
pickets were firing rapidly. But the tu-
multi soon ceased on both sides, the ad-
venturous soldiers returned to their
quarters as though nothing had happen
ed out of the usual course, and the ladies
we're safely bestowed for the night in q
hut made ss comfortable as possible.
How he was called upon to account
for this nights work will be best told in
Gen. Shields own language:
"The next morning an officer of Gen
Scott's staff came to my quarters with a
message from the General that he would
like to know the cause of the previous
nights alarm, as il originated in that
part of the line which was under my
command Ianswered that would re
port in person, which at once did. On
the way l thought the matter over, and
concluded that it would be best to make
clean breast of it. and did so. The
story threw Gen. Scott into tremen
dous rage, Ever since Cerro Gordo wa:
fought he had addressed me as MY Ger
70 Gordos FRIEND but he now dropped
that familiar name. 'Gen. Shields, b,
thundered, you are insubordinate anc
reckless in the highest degree. Yor
have put in peril the fruits of the whole
campaign You have, perhaps, frustrated
all my plans for the capture Of the City
of Mexico. Sir, I'll disgrace you; II
court-martial you, and have you dismiss
ed the servicer At this my temper rose
and answered him plainly that he Nigh
court martial me and perhaps get m
dismissed, but after all that had occurre,
on this campaign, neither he nor an.
other man could disgrace me; and bein,
| by this time pretty we'll stirred up, sai
that under like circumstances l woul
do precisely the same thing over again
Instead of being more angry, the Gene
raj was rather softened by this speech
4 was wrong, Gen. Shields, in saying
would disgrace you; l ask your pardo
for that. You are brave man, and dis
grace is not word to use toward yor
But You are greatly to blame in thi
matter, sir You have acted without OF
ders, and imperiled the whole campaign
Gen. Scott I said, before you say an
, thing more about it, suppose you com
over to my quarters and see these Ii
dies After some further talk he prou
, ised to do so, and rode back to my ten
pretty we'll satisfied that should hav
no further trouble with the affair. In a
hour over came Gen. Scott, and .
> once introduced him to thesladies. Th
daughter was picture of beauty, wit
her golden curls and her blue eyes; an
after the mother had thanked the Gen,
: raj with fearful eyes and trembling voic
the girl seized his hands, wept over then
}, called him her preseryer, and invoke
the blessings of heaven on his head :
. Scott looked from her to me with yer
= benevolent face. 'Well, my Cerro Go
do friend, if ! get you court-martiale
for this, shall have you promoted, too
l have only to add that long afterwar'
!, when the war was over, and we had r.
" turned to the United States, l receive
q from England, as the gift Of the ladies
costly diamond pin as token OF the
r gratitude
= These are but few of the interestir
i and varied "reminiscences with whi(
= General Shields entertains his listene
:: in public and private. For the bene
Of those curious to know something
the personal appearance of the man,
le may be stated that he is of medium siz
y hale and hearty, though sixty sew
: 6 80