The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-04
THE IRIsH-AMERIOAN BAYARD.

A grand and noble representative OF the
highest qualities Of the Irish-American race
has just departed this life
Gen. James Shields died at Ottumwa, Iowa.
on Sunday last. He had emigrated at the
age Of sixteen from Tyrone, ireland, where
he was born. More than fifty years ago he
settled In the West, and with a good basis OF
education, bright genius, quick wit, and
generous and chivalrio character, he quickly
identified himself with our frontier settle
ments, and drew around him q large and de-
voted circle OF friends and supporters. His
native strong qualities were happily set or
by courtly grace and ease OF manner and a
cavalier bearing, which were never affected
by the rough associations and scenes OF his
frontier life. He was an answering Demo-
crat during his whole life, though compelled
by q loyalty to his section, which In the
South never modified the estimate In which
he was ever held by our people, to give his
services and blood to the cause OF the North,
In the last war OF the sections.
On the same principles and with the same
ideas 81 duty, he fought as vigorously In de-
Tense OF his section In our civil war as he did
for the nation In the Mexican war Of 1s47,
and In both conflicts he received severe
wounds and proved himself equally devoted,
self-sacrifcing and gallant.
At Cerro Gordo, In leading his gallant
brigade to the assault of the well-defended
mountain defenses Of Santa Annals army, he
fell with wound so CHASTITY as to render his
recovery and his long survival thereof little
short OF a miracle. An escopet ball, nearly
as large as q grapeshot, struck him In the
breast and passed through his body, leaving
an aperture through which silk handker-
chief could be drawn. But his fortitude and
high spirit bore him safely through the peril
and long suffering Of this frightful wound. He
was quickly in the saddle, and bore an active
part In the closing scenes Of Scott's brilliant
campaign In the valley Of Mexico.
When the treaty Of Guadalupe was con-
cluded, he returned with his volunteers
through this city to the West. Weshall never
forget the enthusiasm and wild demonstra-
ton Of our Irish-born population toward their
gallant representative when he appeared at
the Orleans Opera House In this city. And
by all other classes Of our people and Of the
whole South WAS he In like manner greeted
and honored. When long after, In our I'M
happy civil war, Stonewall jackson, In his
marvellous campaign in the Shenandoah val
ley, struck successfully three several armies
Of the Union forces, defeating each Of them,
we remember the tributes conceded by the
entire Contederacy to the superior vigor, skill
and perststency OF the assault made by
Shields's command, as contrasted with the
imbecility and lack of soldierly energy and
sustained gallantry Of the other armies.
FrlI n
wallis men, during the conflict with Shields's
Division, "are Of very different stuff from
Milroys and Fremont's men: we will have to
hump ourselves to drive them"
"Ah! didn't you know old Shields was at
the head Of them; and what freshman or
Western man will hold back when old Shields
leads" was the remark of the Confederate
chiefs to their men, and, indeed 1t was "a
tough contest, wherein the Confederates suf-
fered largely, which would have been of
doubtful issue, II the Confederates had been
led by any other leader than the invincible
Stonewall, who, by the way won his first
laurels and achieved his first military recoe-
| milton, as a young lieutenant. In one Of the
battles OF Mexico, wherein Shields COM
manded the infantry support of Magruder's
| battery, which was directed chiefly by young
jackson.
Beside his distinction in the military, Gen.
Shields won prominence in the judicial and
political arena. He filled with great accept
ableness a high judicial position in Illinois
and represented that State in the United
States Senate. where be was always esteemed
for his sound and consistent Democracy, his
solid judgment and dignified and courteous
bearing. % al relations. lolitical and social