Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-08-03
VOL. l.. NEW SERIES. VOL. XIII.


General Shields Stories.
| lNTEEE EE-TIN0 "REMINISCENCES OF AN OLD SOL
| DER OF THE MEXICAN WAR.
Among the storie.. " hich Gen Shields told
at his recent Lockport, n. Y, reception are
the following:
TROUGH AND READY"
His first interview with Gen. Taylor was
humorously described : 81 was sent with
my brigade to report to him on the Rlc
Grande. After getting my command into
camp put on the most snowy uniform
had and spent much time in rigging myself
up to do honor to such an occasion as the
meeting with the COMMUNICATIVE chief of the
army of occupation. Arrived ut the head
quarters | inquired for Gen. Taylor, and
was shown into tent by the orderly, who
| went away to announce me. Presently en-
tered a hard featured, but still very benevo-
lent-faced man, quite undersized, who, from
his appearance, would easily have been taken
for wagner. A great Tapping straw hat
| crowned his head, he had no collar, n linen
coat, and the coarse pantaloons he wore had
no suspicion of rank about them, and his I'M
stockinged feet We're covered by common in
iantry shoes. While | was trying to figure
ont in my mind what this apparition could
be, he grasped my hand heartily exclaimed,
| I'm very glad to see you here, General
| Shields, and will cut out some work for your
command before long And this was actual
| ly General Zachary TAYLOR, one of the bravesst
kindest and noblest men that ever lived
CERRo GoRDo.
Previous to the brilliant American victory
at Cerro Gordo. the engineers both of the
attacking and defending armies had carefully
surveyed the highest of the emlnences that
bristle about the place. and had reported it
inaccessible 1t overlooked the whole MeNi-
can army, but the MeNicans were confident
that 1t could not be occupied, and the same
belief prevailed in the American camp. The
night before the assault was a very dark one.
Shields was in his tent, when toward mid
night number of soldiers of his command
came to him and asked permission to put a
G-pound gun on the top of this cliff.
Il was astonshed. Don't you know |
asked, that the engineers say that it can't be
climbed to say nothing about putting can
non mp there They insisted. however,
that they should like to try it. Try it, then,
boys, said; no harm will be done, even if
you fail. They then went away, and in two
hours they were back again with the amaz-
ing news that they actually had 6-pounder
in position on the summit of that almost per-
pendicular height
land if you'll consent SIR said one of
them, well put l2-pounder there, too
Go ahead, replied. I'll believe you
can do anything now And long before day
light they reported that the l2pounder was
up there beside the 6-pounder, ready to open
on the MeXicans in the morning. | thought
the news too good to he kept, so l went to
-
heard my story, and looked at me as though
he did not believe a word of it.
q" Do you mean to tell me-, he exclaimed,
that those fellows of yours have hauled a
l2-pounder and G-pounder up TO the top of
that height
"'Yes, sir; and what do You think of
that
'' think there are two pieces of artillery
lost to the United States; for there are not
men enough IN the army to get them down
again"
But these two pieces did excellent service
against the astonished Mexieans that day,
and they were got down again afterward.
AN INCIDENT.
Gen. Santa Anna was in command of the
Mexicans at Cerro Gordo. He was utterly
defeated and compelled to retreat, with
heavy losses in prisoners, material, and killed
and wounded. Shields was dangerously
wounded in the fight, and of course left be-
hind at Jalapa. When he became GONZALES
cent he was informed that lady living op-
posite the house where he lay had been very
kind and attentive, and had been of much
help to his attendants. As soon he was
allowed to walk out he went to thank her,
when he learned to his surprise that shewas
a daughter OF Santa Anna. In the course of
the conversation that followed, he remark |
ed
''But did You know who it was that you |
were ministering to all this time
"Not at first, she replied 81 discovered |
ifter time that you were Gen. Shields, who
had heard was killed"
Perhaps, had you known at the first that
was one who had large share in the defeat
ng your father, you would not have received
me!"
She drew herself up with the air of an old |
Castilian. Sir she said, had You with
your own hand killed my fatherin fair fight
in fair fight would have done for you in
your extremity Just as much as | now have"
And she looked it as well as spoke it.
MAGRUDER AND THE GUERILLA.
1t was during this campaign, and about this
time, that an incident occurred which the
lecturer very humorously described, but
which is here greatly abbreviated. General
John B. Magruder, of subsequent Confeder-
ate fame, was then an officer in our army,
and plumed himself highly on his horse
One day he rode across the square
On a superb black animal that he had Just
bought at a high price, and came to the win
low by which Shields lay, that he might see
md admire his purchase. The curvetting of
I'd t1a .F . ri |
crowd into the square, and presently there
we're over a thousand, soldiers, citizens and
lrmy followers of all kinds, watching and
ldmiring Jack Magruder" show of. After
! time, when Magruder had stopped mo-
nent one of the Mexicans came forward,
latted and praised the horse, and told the
,tficer that he rode almost as well as an in
labitant of the country could.
almost Magruder cried. 81 can ride as
veil as any Mexican. Show me one who can
ide better"
NAY, said the Mexican, 'you claim too
much. You ride well, but it is not possible
hat YOU can know our horses as well as We
To-"
Magruder insisted, and, growing warm,
'fiered to bet dozen doubloons that he
'ould ride his horse better than the other
ould. The Mexican objected, said he did
ipl iihN " btAs anu Alu il'i lint " allbN tl
lis horsemanship in public, but at last, rs
'lagruder grew more urgent, he reluctantly
consented, and the money was put up in the
lands of another Mexican. For Judges an
american was chosen by Magruder, Mexi-
an by his adversary. and the two together
hose Frenchman for the third man. Then
ilagruder put his horse through his PAGES,
irst walking around the square, then trot-
NJ, galloping, and then finally putting the
nlmal TO Its top speed, with magnificent
,urst that drew cheers and hand clapping
rom the crowd.
After few moments the Mexican came
Onward for his trial. Without touching his
lands to the animal be yaulted on his back
nd went through with precisely the same
'eformance as Magruder, and really proved
himself to be the more accomplished horse
nan OF the two. Magruder himself joined
n the applause and frankly admitted that
ie was fairlY beaten. The Mexican smiled
nd bowed, and said.
'Now If the senor will wait II moment |
Vill show him feat Of horsemanship the
Ike of which he has never seen.
Nagrudet assented and the Mexican rode
alf way around the square, and then. put
ing spurs to the horse. disappeared IN Il
"What the ID does that mean ?" said
lagruder.
II know only one man who can ride like
hat, said hy-slander land that is Mol
o."
'Molino, the guerilla groaned the owner
1 the horse
"The same, sir. | don't think you'll ever
ee your horse again"
He never did; the Mexican who held the
takes had also disappeared probably one
f Molino's men. Alagruder never heard
he last of this exploit among his brother
fiicers. and while his veNation lasted he de
Jared he was the biggest fool in the Ameri-
an army.
A SPIRITED RESCUE.
Ono nf tln fI,r,tIfp,, ,.l.. a.. NJ. |