CHAPTER VII.

Mr. Pierce as a Soldier and General-The Breaking out of the Mexican War-Mr. Pierce enlists as a Private-Appointed Brigadier-General-Sails for Vera Cruz-Attacked at National Bridge -Joins Gen. Scott at Puebla-His Course through the War-His Return-Reception at Concord-His Speech.

AT the time that Mr. Pierce declined the brilliant appointment, tendered him by the President of the United States, he remarked that he could never again consent to leave his family, except at the call of his country, in time of war. When, therefore, the Mexican war broke out, it found him pledged to the service of his country. A requisition was made upon the State of New-Hampshire, for a battalion of volunteers, and Mr. Pierce was among the first to put down his name, as a private soldier. The company was raised in Concord, and Frank Pierce went through all the drill exercises, as a private. The Ten Regiment Bill was passed by Congress, and the President tendered to him the appointment of Colonel of the Ninth, which appointment he accepted. When the law for the organization of the new ten regiments was passed, President Polk appointed Mr. Pierce Brigadier-General. The appointment was everywhere received with enthusiasm. Mr. Pierce was the son of an old and heroic

soldier, who had fought in the battles of the Revolution. In his youth he had listened to tales of the camp, and early learned to admire the patriotism and courage of the heroes of the Revolution. Col. Ransom was of this regiment. He was a brave officer, and Mr. Pierce wrote to the President, asking that he, Colonel Ransom, be appointed Brigadier-General; but the President needed the abilities of Mr. Pierce, and insisted upon his accepting the appointment. His commission, as Brigadier-General, is dated March 3, 1847. At this time, General Low, of Concord, asked Mr. Pierce if it was true that he had decided to leave his home, and all its endearments, for the plains of Mexico. General Pierce's reply was:

"I have accepted of the commission. I could not do otherwise. I was pledged to do it. When I left the Senate, it was with a fixed purpose of devoting myself exclusively to my profession, with the single reservation, that if my country should become engaged in war, I would ever hold myself in readiness to serve her in the field, if called upon to defend her honor and maintain her rights. War has come, and my plighted word must and shall be redeemed."

General Pierce and Colonel Ransom at once proceeded to Boston, making the Tremont House their head-quarters until the work of preparation was completed. It is told of General Pierce, that, in bidding farewell to his many friends, one of them

expressed the hope that he would return in safety and honor.

"I will come back with honor, or I will not come back," was his reply.

General Pierce sailed from Newport, in the bark Kepler. Large numbers of the troops on board were sick, and suffered from the want of water, being upon a short allowance. Under these circumstances, Gen. Pierce shared his own allowance with his men, and mingled with them to encourage them. It was characteristic of the man, for kindness is his nature. On the 28th of June, he arrived at Vera Cruz. Here he encountered pestilence and disease, and was himself taken very ill. But amid disease and death, he had constant and careful thought of the men under his charge. His benevolence was never weary. He spent his money freely, and soon became exceedingly popular. He soon recovered from disease, and with but a small loss, left Vera Cruz in the middle of the terrible month of July, for the interior of Mexico. His brigade was made up as follows: the ninth regiment, NewEngland men; the twelfth, from Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, North and South Carolina; and the fifteenth, raised in Ohio, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the eastern part of Missouri, and the western part of Indiana. The whole force consisted of 2,400 men. His line of march was a most harassing one, beset on all sides by Mexicans and guerilla bands, whose object was to intercept all

recruits, on their march to succor General Scott, in the interior, and whose main work was to plunder and massacre. The great object of General Pierce, on the other hand, was, not to give battle, but to avoid it—to present General Scott with the greatest possible number of healthy soldiers, within the smallest space of time.

Fifteen miles from Vera Cruz, the courage and decision of Gen. Pierce were put to trial. He was there attacked by a fierce guerilla party, and gave an order to charge upon the chapparal. His Colonel, "the brave Ransom," disputed the propriety of the movement, but Pierce replied, firmly and boldly: "I have given the order!" The enemy was completely routed after some severe fighting. At the National Bridge he was again attacked by the guerillas, who barricaded the bridge with chapparal. He ordered Captain Dupreau to dash over the barricade and charge the enemy. The order was promptly executed, and with success. In this skirmish Gen. Pierce received two bullets through his hat.

On the 1st of August, Gen. Pierce was at Perote, and advised Gen. Scott of the state of his command, as follows:

"I shall bring to your command about twentyfour hundred, of all arms. To-morrow morning at four o'clock I shall leave here for Puebla, and shall make the march in four days."

The men under his care were principally northern recruits; they had suffered much by disease; bad

been attacked five times by guerilla parties, and yet General Pierce had lost scarcely a man, though in the heart of an enemy's country.

On the 6th of August he joined General Scott at Puebla, with his command in excellent condition.

General Scott received him with open arms, and with the warmest encomiums. Military critics were agreed in the opinion that this feat alone-that of marching a large army through an enemy's country without loss-would have established his reputation as a military man. The skill, patience, judgment and vigilance he exhibited are not at once appreciated by the masses, but it is well known to men used to the field, that greater generalship is often required for such a feat than for one of the most brilliant actions in battle.

We cannot do better than give the further account of General Pierce's campaign, in Mexico, in the words of an eye-witness, one of his friends, a most reliable man, and at present a citizen of Washington. The account was furnished for the columns

of the Boston Post:

"In accordance with my promise to you in Washington, I will state what I know of General Pierce's military services and character in Mexico. I shall only have to state what I have repeatedly said to mutual friends the last four years. I had no personal acquaintance with General Pierce till I met him in Mexico. Our acquaintance has its date