The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-06-12
rRA1rs oT aENERAI Shields,

/
There was dash Of knight.errantry
in Gen. Shields's dispositions He was
always ready to suCcor woman in dis
tress, and protect the defenceless from
oppression. Here is an incident related
Of him. when the American army lay
before the city of Mexico, that reads
like a chapter from medieval ro'
nance:
An English boy arrested as spy OBJ
tanned a private interview of the Gem
eral, and told him that a Mexican des.
perado had sought his sisters hand and
being refused, threatened vengeanCe,and
obtained from Santa Anna the control Of
that part of the city in which the boys
parents lived, and hired a gang OF viii
| iains who were to plumber the house,
keep the booty and deliver the girls to
| this Mexican. Properly disguised, the
how had entered the American ranks to
beseech assistance of Gen. Shields whose
fame was known in the enemy's ranks
There was little time for debate, and as
it was certain that Gen. Scott would re-
fuse TO sanction any plan for attempting
a rescue, Gen. Shields got together four
hundred volunteers and dashed at the
walls. The Americans went over them
With a fierce rush, bayoneted the few
senries, took the English girls and their
parents and started back for the Ameri-
can lines. A Mexican infantry regiment
which had been turned out to stop them
was scattered by resolute charge, and
she girls we're brought in safety to Gen.
Shields headquarters. The most inde-
scribabe confusion reigned in both ar
mics; the Mexicans were all under arms,
apprehending general assault, and the
American commanders turned out their
men, anticipating a sortie. Scott was fu.
rious. as from strictly military point Of
view we'll he might be, but the sight of
the rescued captives, and the story they
told him, appeased him, and General
Shields was not court martialed.
At Cerro Gordo his brigade was sent
by difficult route to attack the Mexican
reserve, and cut off the retreat to Santa
Anna. So sudden and unexpected was
Shieds's dash that Santa Anna barely
escaped, leaving his carriage, baggage,
money and plate in the hands of the
victorious Americans. Just at this mo-
ment, writes historian of the battle:
Shields was struck down while leading
his troops, a big copper grapeshot pass
ing through his lungs. His soldiers hal
ted to attend to their idolized comman'
der, but he said to them: Men, am
of no further use to my country; you are.
Lay me down and let me die. | might
as we'll die here as be taken off to die.
You are all strong, able'bodied men
able to 10 your country some service.
For Gods sake lay me down and go TO
your dutyp But he was not fated to die
then, One of the captured Mexican sur
geons drew silk handkerchief through
the wound, the silk went in at the breast
and came out at the back, and cleaned it
of clotted gore, and thanks to splendid
constitution and careful nursing, Shields
recovered. ~
And here is another incident that il
lustrates the character of the man, and
makes the blood race lively through the
veins as we read it:
At Clapultepec, September l9, Shields
was again wounded, this time in the
arm, but be refused to retire. Scott had
ordered him to make demonstration
with the Palmetto and New York regi
ments, the Mounted Rifles and O'Brien's
battery. Shields made dash along the
aqueduct toward the city. The enemy
gave way, and Shields pressed them hot.
ly to prevent them reforming. General
Scott, who had intended that Worth
should deliver the serious attack by the
San Cosmo route, saw that Shields was
making too rapid progress, and sent two
aides to check him. We must let Gen.
Shields tell the story, which is a worthy
pendant of Nelson's refusal TO see Par
ker's signal of recall at Copenhagen: Il
didn't want any message from General
Scott at this precise momeDlj and wheE
the aides de-camp got within speaking
range and said, Seen. Scott sends his
compliments to Gen. Shields,"I called
out, "All right, hut l haven't time now
to talk with you; wait a bit.h Gen. Scott
seeing that we we're still pushing ahead
at q break meek pace towards the city,
sent Gen. Qaitman to me, and my horse
having been shot Hader me, | Was on
foot explaining 10 Gen. Quitmal that'it
would bs madness for us to desist from
our advantage, and that Gen Scott wo'd
never have ordered it, il he knew how
gloriously we were advancing. Oh but
be was a gallant soldier, was General
Qutman, and a generous one; and in
stead Of ordering me back, he told me
to 90 ahead. So on we went, and in less
than twenty minutes we entered the ga.
rita or city gate, and unfuried the first
American flag in the city Of MexicO--the
flag that was borne by the Palmetto
regiment" The city yielded next day,
aud the Palmetto flag, the fret to be rails
ed over lis walls, was the last American
ensign, too, which waved there; the reg
iment remaining at the request of the
Mexican auEhoritiesas the rear.gusrd.
Sonth Carolina gave Gen. Shields, on bis
return, after narrowly escaping death
from modification of his wounded arm,
a magnifcentsword with gold sCabbard
and belt studded with diamonde and ru-
bies, the whole costing $1,000 1t was
inscribed as follows; NFrOm the State
of South Carolina to- Gen. James Shields
in testimony of her adniTation of his
gsllAntry in the Mexican war, and as
tribute Of gratitude for his parental at
tention to the Palmetto regiment"
A friend summing up Gen. Shields's
political, military and social life-for he
was q great favorite among the Irish of
wealth and culture in tie eastern cities
says:
His career was singular instance of
the facility with which a man Of original
power can brave the difficulties Of for.
tune and rise above themso Coming here
as an Irish lad, without education, work
ing first as school master, finding a