The Portland daily press., 1882-11-10

been convened, and Reid, perhaps, would have
been dismissed from the army. Soon after
SCOTS army reached the Valley of Mexico,
the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco were
fought, in both OF which Reids regiment took
part. Then followed an srmistice, on the ex-
piration of which the battles of Molina del
Rey and, subsequently, Chepultepec occurred
Among the officers of the regular army who
knew Reid was Lieut.. Wilcox, junior aid-de-
camp to Major General QuitmsD. Wilcox was
fresh from West Point, and found considerable
pleasure in Reid's society. A day or two be-
learning that it would be assaulted with two
columns, each led by ssorming party made
up OF volunteers, rode over to the camp of the
New York regiment, called upon Lieut.. Reid,
informed him of the probable disposition of
troops for the attack upon Cheputepec, and
suggested that he should volunteer for the
storming party, because, If he should volunteer
and survive that service, the unfortunate Incl
dent at Puebla would in all probability be
overlooked and forgotten. Reid seized Will
so mindful OF him. He said he should GER
tainly volunteer for the storming party, and
would regard it as q great misfortune if his
services were not accepted.
The following night Wilcox heard at head
quarters that there would be no volunteer
troops in the storming parties, but that the
men composing them would be taken from the
regulars of the divisions of Worth and Twiegs
The next morning Wilcox visited Reid and
notified him of the program. Reid was greatly
depre ssed at the news, because he had set his
heart on wipiDg the Puebla stain off his name
at Chepultepec. Wilcox, who sympathized
with him, told him that there was still chance
for him. There will be guard" said Will
COX, detailed to be near the heavy battery
which will open fire on Chepnltepec early in
the morning. A part of these guards will
come from Quitman's division, and will try
to have your company detailed for that duty"
At this time Reid was in command of his COM
pany. Wilcox then gave Reid the foil owing
advice: "When the infantry advance to the
assault, our artillery will be forced to suspend
its fire. Your company will no longer be re-
quired as guard in the rear. You must rush
forward at run, take the shortest route and
make every possible effort to reach the yery
front OF the charging troops and be among the
first to enter Chepultepec."
This plan revived Eeid's spirits. His face
flushed with excitement. With glstenng
and grateful eyes he seized both of Wilcox 8
hands and thanked him for his advice and his
effort to save him. Reids company was de-
tailed as guard to one of the heavy batteries,
and when the attack was made and the artil-
lery ceased to fire, Reid ran like deer down
across the sloping hills of Molina del Rey and
reached the advance column as it was ascend
ing the heights OF Chepultepec. He was con-
spcuous for his daring and was among the
foremost when he was shot in the thigh. His
Wouuu Compoli6u HIN 10 uS6 u CruLCQ IOr q
month or more.
AS Wilcox predicted, the Puebla offense was
passed over in silence. Reiu enjoyed to the
fullest extent the notoriety which his conduct
at Chepultepec gave him. He suffered consid-
cradle pain from his wound for a while, hut
he could afford to bear the pain with equa-
nimity in view of the fact that he had escaped
being court martialed. After the war he went
to England, where he won quite name as a
writer of fiction. Lieut.. Wilcox remained in
the army, and in the civil war cast his fortunes
in the South By his courage and ability he
rose to the rank'of Major General. After the
war he was for several years in business In
Orleans