The Irish standard., 1893-12-09
las. In 1845, under Polk's administration,
he was appointed Commissioners OF the
General Land Office.

OOaA4AesAuy nuA Wds COIuull5SlOAcN Dl4e0r
der General by President Polk. on July
1st They sailed for Mexico and landed
at Brazoe, Santiago, where they suffered
innumerable hardships for time, and
joined General Taylor at Camargc.
Shortly after General Shields was or
dered to an ther command, and for some
time was Military Governor of Tampico;
but he rejoined his old brigade in the
spring of 1847, at Vera Cruz, whore, un-
der General Scott, he assisted in the
capture of that city. For bis services
during the seige he was specially men,
toned by General Scott in General Or.
ders, No. 80, dated March 80, l847. His
division commander, Major General Pat
tersop, another Irish-American, had
similarly commended him a few days
previously.
On the evening of April 18th, l847,
General Shields Brigade, then composed
of New York and Illinois Volunteers,
with the palmetto Regiment" Of South
Carolina, halteo ut the foot Of Cerro
Gordo. to be ready for the engagement
next day. Near them lay three pieces OF
artillery which the engineers had brought
there in the hope of having them placed
in battery on the summit Of q hill, in
readiness to open on one of the enemy's
batteries next morning. Night had fall
len before the attempt could be made,
and the precipitous nature of the ascent
made them think Of abandoning the un-
dertaking as hopeless, when Shields de-
tailed five hundred OF his men,, under
command Of Major Harris, to. make the
experiment, which, to the astonishment
of all, proved successful, and the little
battery did effective service in the battle
next morning. VI. szs. 3Fy &,
Early on that. morning, Shields BEi
gade had orders to advance across
rugged, broken ground, attack the re-
serve of ths Mexican army under Santa
Anna, and seize the Jalapa road in order
to cut off his retreat to the capital. The
attack was SO sudden and unexpected
that Santa Anna had hardly time to
effect bis escape by flying into the adj
joining woods, leaving his carriage, bag
gage, money, and plate, in the hands Of
the Volunteers The surprise was SO
complete that the whole medical staff of
the Mexican army we're surrounded and
captured. 10 one of the surgeons thus
captured, General Shields shortly after
owed his life, under Divine Providence;
for, while gallantly leading his troops to
the attack, he was struck down by q
large copper escopet ball, which passed
through his lungs. When some Of his
soldiers came to remove their beloved
commander, the gallant hero, who never
expected to recover from such fright
full wound, thus addressed them:
sMen-I am OF no further use to my
country-you are. Lay me down#and
let me die. You are all strong, able
bodied men-able to do your country
some service. For Gods sake, lay me
down and go to your duty!' .
Happily his fears were not verified;
for, though the surgical world was as
toniahed that one so fearfullY wounded
could survive, yet the Mexican surgeon
having drawn q silk handkerchief
through the woundthus cleansing it
fron the clotted gore by great care and
with the help ola strong constitution,
the General eventually recovered. For
his gallant service on this occasion Gen
|eral Shields was breyeted Major General
Of Volunteers; and Generals Twiggs and
Scott both mentioned him in laudatory
terms in their official reports. General
Twiggs. IN his report, says OF him and
his Brigade:
sOt the conduct OF the Volunteer
force under the brave General Shields
lcannot speak in too high terms y :
The gallant General, with shout from
his men, pushed boldly for the front Of
the road on the enemy's left, who, see-
ing their position completely turned, 90
we'll 40 driven from the hill, abandoned
themselves to fight General Shields
was severely wounded, the command Of
the Brigade devolving upon Colonel
Baker, who cond Quoted it with ability
Gen. Scott. il his report, speaks Of
Gen. Shields as ..a commander Of aetiy-
(ity, zeal and talent"
Four months after, he was againsiin
the field, and on August 20, 1847, parttii-
cipated il the BATTLES of Contreras ard
Oherubusco. IA the latter he led the
|.oelebrated charge of the brave Palmet:
toes 81 sonth Carolina and the gallant
New York Volunteers The battle was
one IS the bloosd1lest of the VA. With .
ftorce re.s1lucet1 q the Ameriicans
[,1.lharR - md ffoueht
thsm until same dleI u
s|s 4, ~ . s