The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1895-10-10
A Mexican war Veteran.

To THE EDITOR OF The JOURNAL: In
a recent conversation with Mr.. Daniel
Merrill of Troy, who is one of the few sur
viving soldiers Of the Mexican war, the
writer was recalled by memory to the
events of early boyhood, when on Ger
tain DAY in the spring Of 1S47 was seen the
familiar figure of a young man, slightly
below tie medium height and compactly
built, coming down the hill at the Gen
tre'' with a light step, clad in a bright
new uniform and singing some patriotic
air
Dan, as lie was Familiarity called, had
enlisted at Belfast and was making hur-
Ned visit to friends in Troy to bid them
adieu before embarking for the scenes of
war. No indication of military affairs had
then been seen in the place, and the APP
pea1ance Of man in uniform naturally
attracted considerable attention.
Mr. Merrill was sent with other recruits
rom Maine to reinforce General Scott S
army in Mexico. Occasionally reports Of
Merrilrs bravery and soldierly department
were waited from that then distant country
back to his friends and townspeople. In
consequence of the then meagre facilities
for tn nsmitting news, the hardness Of
even special war news compared with
plest Mt rapid transit was as weeks to
houl>, ard tidings from soldiers, if receiv-
ed at all, were at long, irregular intervals.
After the close of the Mexican war MI.
Mellill returned in weak and emaciated
condition. the effects Of fever contracted in
that country. Probably it would not be
expected of the present man of nearly
seventy Years. and quiet and unasuming, to
sIeak in public; yet it is remembered that
on one occasion in his early twenties.
when he had in a measure regained his
health. Mr.. Merrill entertained an inter
ested audience for two evenings. 1t had
been announced that the returned soldier
would give a free lecture on certain
evening (Which was continued to the sec
ond evening" at the Rogers schoolhouse.
well filed house met him the first even
ing and a still larger number was present
the second. He related his experience
from the time Of enlistment to his return
and animated the martial spirit of the boy
portion of the audience by his graphic
descriptions of stirring scenes-especialIy
as he led his hearers through the battles
engaged i'll at Cherubuscc, Contresas, Mo
limo del Rey the bombardment and gal
liant stolming of Chapultepec, the grand
entry of the American army into the city
of Mexico. etc
About the time peace was declared MI.
Merrill was attacked with typhoid fever,
which brought him near the point of join
ing that silent army described in o. Hara
poem "Bivonac of the Dead,'' and was
taken with large number of sick and
wounded along with the forces as they
moved toward the coast for embarkation
The unfavorahle climate and crowded
state of the Amy wagons greatly lessen
ed the chances for recovery. One
evening when halt had been order
ed for camp, as Merrill seemed rapidly
sinking. and it appeared certain that he
would die before morning, the officer in
command gave the grim order to dig his
grave. But when morning came as he
was still living the burial services were in
definitely postponed. A favorable point
in his condition was soon gained and
eventually led to his recovery
J. F. II.
East Tholn6like. October, 1895.
The late Gen. Henry Prince, a native
of Eastport, was in all the battles named,
and Mexican sW ord captured at the bat
tie of Moline del Rey. has long been in the
possession Of relatives in this city. Gen.
Prince went to Mexico a second lieuten-
ant ard returned bIevet- major, promo
ton earned by his gallant conduct in the
field. Ed. Journal.