The National tribune., 1909-02-18
Shields's Remarkable Career.

Before dismissing Shields it may be
of interest to Say that he had career
such as none of the many writer's who
have depicted the showy. pagnacious
and uncontrcllably vain and pushing
lrishman have ever given their heroes
A hundred times more Superficially
captivating than Lincoln he never sue
ceeded in taking root anywhere or pro-
ducirs a lasting favorable impression.
The Mexican War was q Democratic
war, tho it was largely fought by Whig
officers The Illinois regiments went
to the field under the command of
Whig Colonels, and it was deemed d
political necessity to have the superior
officer Democrat. Tho Shields had
never seen a days service. and knaw
nothing of even militia organization. he
was commissioned n Brigadier- General
and sent to Mexico. OF his courage
there was no doubt, and in the little
battle of Cerro GorGo he rushed to the
front and received a Mexican bullet
thru his chest, which became his chief
political capital ever after, and was
worked for all that It was worth. Re
turning to Illinois, atSer the war, he
succeeded in being elected Senator on
the strength of his wound at Cerro
Gordo. but was defeated for reelection
because CT his inclination to pro-slav-
cry views. Disguised at such ingrati-
tude. he located the land warrant due
him for his Mexican service in the Ter
ritory of Missouri. and upon the ad-
mission of the Territory as a State sue
ceeded in getting elected as United
States Senator. Again his star declined
and he Joined in the rush to California,
where he hoped to achieve still greater
success. He did not make the mark
there he expected, probably because
there were too many competitors of mis-
character. His fortunes fell to a low
cbb, and at the time of the outbreak
of the war OF the rebellion he was plan
ming to establish a colony OF Irishmen
in Mexico.
He saw his opportunity. which was
the great secret of his success, offered
his services 10 President Lincoln, and
was welcomed as great accession on
account of his Mexican War reputation
and his standing in the Democracy. He
asked for rigadier-Generars COM
mission, which was promptly granted
him.
Gen. F. w. Lander had organized a
magnificent division. and had just be-
gun what promised to be great career
wflen this was cut short by his untirne-
ly death. Shields, with his usual good
luck. was assigned to this division
which was marching on Winchester
on the way " this pietSe ne was 81 uch
with 2 piece Of shell and disabled from
taking part in the fight. and next day
when Stonewall Jackson attacked tn,
! division, then commanded by Gen. Ma
| than Kimball. he was signally defeat
ed. Shields characteristicaliy made tht
most of this. and demanded a promo
ton 10 Major-General. which was giyel
him, but his ineficiency was soon dem
onttrated at Port Republic. and tn
commission revoked. He then passe,
into obscurity, when by one OF thos
unaecountable whirligigs of fortune h.
was asais appointed a Senator from
Missouri to fill a vacancy, serving 81,
weeks, and his sts ne in bronze nov
ornaments the Rotunda OF the Unite'
States Capitol as one of the two citi
zeRs whom that State most delights t.
honor. Such are the fantastic prank
that fortune delights TO play.