The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-06-25

ntou Az o1oblCco YkVbCCt tuC uc-
feDseless from oppression. Here is
an incident related of him. when the
A American army lay before the city of
Mexico, that reads like q chapter
from . medieval romance:
An English boy arrested as q spy
obtained q private interview of the
General and told him that q Mexican
desperate had sought his sisters
hand, and being refused threatened
vengeance and obtained from Santa
Anna the control OF that part of the
city 10 which the boys father, moth
er and two sisters lived, and hired q
gang of villains who we're to plumber
the house, keep the booty aud deliver
the girls to this Mexican. Properly
disguised the boy had entered the
American ranks to beseech assistance
of General Shields, whose fame was
known in the enemy's ranks. There
was little time for debate, and as it
was certain that General Scott would
refuse to sanction any plan for at
tempting a rescue. General Shields
got together 400 volunteers and then
dashed at the walls. The Americans
went over them with Q fierce rush,
bayoneted the few sentries, took the
English girls and their parents and
started back for the American lines.
A Mexican infantry regiment which
bad been turned out to stop them
was scattered by 9 resolute charge,
and the girls we're brought in safety
to Shields headquarters. The most
indescribable confusion reigned 10
both armies ; the Mexicans were all
under arms, experimenting o general
assault. and the American command
ers turned out their men anticipating
q sortie. Scott was furious. as from
a strictly military point of be view
well might be, but the sight of the
rescued captives and the story which
they told him appessed him, and
General Shields was not court-mar-
tailed.
At Cerro Gordo, his brigade was
sent by a difficult to attack the
Mexican reserve and cut of che re.
treat of Santa Anna. So sudden and
unexpected was Shields dash, that
Santa Anna barely escaped, leaving
his carriage, baggage. money and
plate in the hands of the victorious
Americans. Just at this moment,
writes e historian of the great bat.
tie:
Shields was struck down while
leading his troops, q big copper grape.
shot passing through his lungs. His
soldiers halted to attend to their idol.
lied commander, but be 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 to be taken off to die. You
are all strong, able bodied men-sble
to do your country some service
For Gods sake lay me down and 60
to your duty"
But he was not fsted to die then.
One of the captured Mexican sur
geons drew a silk handkerchief
through the wouDd-the silk went in
at the breast aud came out at the
back-and cleansed it of clotted gore,
and thanks to a splendid constitution
and careful nursing General Shields
recovered.
And here is another incident that
illustrates the character of the man,
and makes tie blood race lively
through the veins as we read and
study it:
At Chapultepec, September Is,
Shields was again wounded, this
time in the arm, but be refused to
retire. Scott had ordered him to
make a demonstration with the Pal
metto and New York regiments, the
Mounted Rifles and 0'Brien's bat
terry. Shields made a dash along the
aqueduct towards the city. The
enemy gave way and Shields pressed
them hotly to prevent them from re-
forming. General Scott, who had in
tended 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 General
Shields tell the story, which is q wor.
thy pendant of Nelson's refusal to see
Psrker's signal OF recall at Copenha.
gen: | didn't want any message from
General Scott at that precise moment,
and when the aides-de-camp got with.
in speaking range and said: General
Scott sends his compliments to Gen.
eral Shields l called out, all right,
but | havn't time to talk with YOU
now ; wait q Bit General Scott see.
ing that we were still pushicg ahead
at a break neck pace toward the city,
sent General Quitmsn to me, and nv
horse having been shot under me. I
was on foot explaining to General
Quitman that it would be madness
for Us to desist from our advantage
and that Generl Scott never would
have ordered it il be knew bow Clio.
riously We were advancing. Oh
but be was q gallant soldier was
General Quitman and q generous
one, and instead of ordering me
back he told me to 90 ahead.
So on we went, and in less than
twenty minutes We entered the qari.
ia or city gate and unfurled the frs,
American flag in the City of Mexico
-the flag which was borne bv the
Palmetto regiment The city yield.
ed next day and the Palmetto flag.
the first to be raised over it's walls,
vas the last American ensign. too.
which viewed there, the regiment re.
naming at the resues: of the Mexi.
can authorities as the real euard
South Carolina gave General Shields.
on bis return after narrowlys escaping
death from modification Of bis
wounded arm, a magnificent sword
with q gold scabbard and belt stud.
ded with diamonds and rubies, the
whole costing $1,000 1t was iu-
scribed as follows: From the State
Of South Carolina to General James
Shields, in testimony of Der admire
tion of his ga'lantry in the Mexican
war and az a tribute of gratitude for