Franklin Pierce on the Mexican War: “Have not our armies in Mexico under the command of Generals Scott and Taylor covered themselves with glory?”

He speaks up for his brother, Colonel Benjamin Pierce, who wanted to be sent to the front, while admitting his brother was not fully restored to health

After serving eight years as a Democrat in Congress and the Senate, Pierce returned to New Hampshire to practice law. He was very successful, but kept his hand in politics, supporting James K. Polk’s campaign in 1844. Aware of the positive effect of military service on his father's political success (Benjamin Pierce was a Revolutionary War general who went on to become Governor of New Hampshire), Franklin saw an opportunity in the Mexican War. He helped enlist men into the New Hampshire Volunteers and enlisted himself as a private. Using his connections, however, he appealed to President Polk for a commission. The President repaid Pierce's old campaign favors by commissioning him a colonel in the Regular Army in February 1847 and granting him command of the 9th Infantry Regiment, then being raised. He was promoted to brigadier general the next month. Pierce and his unit left the United States in May 1847 and arrived in Vera Cruz, Mexico on June 27. They then marched to join General Scott at the city of Puebla, during which march his men were frequently harassed by Mexican guerrillas. The combined force of Scott and Pierce then set out for Mexico City. At the Battle of Contreras on August 19, Pierce was seriously injured by the fall of his horse, crushing his leg. He led his brigade on the following day, but he became incapacitated and fell on the battlefield of Churubusco. He remained in Mexico until the war's end, when he returned home. His résumé now included a war record and the title "Brigadier General Franklin Pierce." Five years later he would be elected president.

Franklin’s older brother Benjamin served in the War of 1812, commanding Pierce’s Company of Artillery in the Niagara campaign. He was at the Battles of Chippewa and Lundy’s Lane, and at Fort Erie. The commander of the U.S. Army there was General Jacob Brown, and Brown’s adjutant general was Roger ap Catesby Jones. The two men became acquainted, as Pierce would have been in contact with Jones in reporting casualties. Benjamin stayed in the service and rose in rank, in June 1844 being promoted to brevet Colonel in recognition of his service during the Second Seminole War. Fort Pierce in Florida was named for him. When the Mexican War broke out he was ill, but nonetheless sought to go to Mexico and pulled the strings he could. His brother Franklin, now a brigadier general, spoke to the Adjutant General of the U.S. Army, Benjamin’s old comrade in Niagara, Roger ap Catesby Jones, asking that Benjamin be given a command in Mexico. Jones stated he would do so.

Jones’s military career began in the War of 1812. He was on the staff of Gen. Henry Dearborn as assistant adjutant general with the rank of brevet major. He caught the eye of General Jacob Brown, who brought Jones into his staff as his assistant adjutant general prior to his 1814 Niagara campaign. Jones fought conspicuously on July 5, 1814 in the victory at Chippewa, and was personally commended by Brown for his performance at the Battle of Lundy's Lane on July 25. For these, he won a brevet promotion to major. He next served at the defense of Fort Erie on August 14, and on September 17 was involved in the sortie from Fort Erie, performing so well he was given a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel. Pierce was also in these actions, as was Gen. Winfield Scott. In 1815, after the war, Brown had Jones join him as aide-de-camp and adjutant general. In March 1825 he was appointed Adjutant General of the U.S. Army, a post he held for a record 27 years until his death. He was brevetted brigadier general in June 1832, and major general in May 1848.

Perhaps Jones was dragging his feet because of Benjamin’s poor health, and although Benjamin had been given a command, no orders came through for the unit to go to Mexico. So Franklin wrote Jones, this time insisting that Benjamin’s unit be sent to Mexico immediately.

Have not our armies in Mexico under the command of Generals Scott and Taylor covered themselves with glory? Judging from the public demonstrations and the tone of the press, there evidently is a better spirit abroad with regard to this war, and the gallant men who have so nobly sustained the honor of American arms."

Autograph letter signed, Concord, NH, April 14, 1847, to Jones, reporting on the raising of his regiment, praising American victories in Mexico, and nudging Jones to send his brother to Mexico. "Immediately upon my return from Washington, I addressed a letter to my brother Lt. Col. Pierce, referring to the conversation that I had with you and congratulating him upon the order to join his regiment in Mexico, which I supposed left Washington while I was there. I have just received a letter from him under the date of the 5th inst. acknowledging the receipt of mine, and expressing much regret that the order solicited had not at that time been received. I trust that those regrets are removed before this by the reception of the order, but my deep interest in everything connected with his fortunes induces me to address you unofficially that I may be relieved from any solicitude on the subject. His health is…restored or nearly so. He considers himself fit for service in the field, seeks that service and I take it has been gratified. Still you will confer a particular favor by informing me with what the order was forwarded.

"The two companies for the 9th regiment to be raised in this state will soon be fitted. They will be composed of young men of excellent character & admirably fitted for the service. Several of the recruits at this rendezvous were securing $20 & some $20 per month at the time of their enlistment. When will the New York Regiment (Col. Temple's) probably be ready for embarkation? Have not our armies in Mexico under the command of Generals Scott and Taylor covered themselves with glory? Judging from the public demonstrations and the tone of the press, there evidently is a better spirit abroad with regard to this war, and the gallant men who have so nobly sustained the honor of American arms."

It is fascinating to hear Pierce’s view of the Mexican War expressed in so adulatory a fashion. As for the 9th Regiment, it indeed left for Mexico just a month after this letter. It seems almost odd that Pierce admitted his brother’s health was not fully restored while asking that he be sent to Mexico, but perhaps he wrote this letter at his brother’s insistence and included that phraseology because he wanted Jones to read between the lines and not send Benjamin. Benjamin ended up leading the 1st Artillery Regiment as far as the Port Isabel, Texas mobilization station, but he never did receive an active command in Mexico. He remained ill and died in 1850.

This letter was part of the Roger Jones papers we have acquired, and has never before been offered for sale.