The Marine corps in Mexico

12–13 September 1847

Battle of Chapultepec

CHARGE II.

"The writer of this article saw the bravery of Lieutenant Devlin put to the test at the storming of Chapultepec, and well did it stand the trial. While other officers halted under fire of the enemy, and sat fat on the ground, under cover of an em bankment topped with Maguay bushes, he waved his sword that was presented to him by his friends of Brooklyn, and told the marines to follow him, and he would lead them. Many of them did bravely follow his example and were wounded or killed ; he himself received a shot through his chin, the scar of which he will bear to the grave, To his credit, be it said, that while an other marine officer who had command of a storming party, sing ularly escaped without a scratch, he, Lieutenant Devlin, who was quartermaster on that occasion, and had to crave permission to leave his wagon train and enter the fight as a volunteer, gained the distinguished credit of being the only marine officer whose blood flowed for his country in the valley of Mexico, except the daunt less Major Twiggs, who was killed at the head of his command."

CHARGE III.

the guard of the Sloop St. Louis, about to join the Mediterranean Squadron. The detachment was under the command of that old and faithful officer, Lieut. Devlin — I wish I could say Major, as he has earned that title by bravery in a much greater degree than many officers who received it. But it is well known that flattery and the favor of the ' stay-at-home drones of headquar ters,' are much more available than bravery in procuring promo tion in the marine corps. The writer of this article saw the bravery of Lieutenant Devlin put to the test at the storming of Chapultepec, and well did it stand the trial. While other officers halted under the fire of the enemy and s&tflat on the ground, un der cover of an embankment topped with Maguay bushes, he waved his sword that was presented to him by his friends of Brooklyn, and told the marines to follow, and he would lead them. Many of them did bravely follow his example, and were wounded or killed ; he himself received a shot through his chin, the scar of which he will bear to the grave. To his credit, be it said, that while another marine officer who had command of a storming party singularly escaped without a scratch, he, Lieuten ant Devlin, who was quartermaster on that occasion, and had to crave permission to leave his wagon-train to enter the fight as a volunteer, gained the distinguished credit of being the only marine officer whose blood flowed for his country in the valley of Mexico, except the dauntless Major Twiggs, who was killed at the head of his command. As an adopted citizen, I feel a pride in bearing this testimeny to the bravery of Lieutenant Devlin in Mexico, and although not personally acquainted with that officer, I am well acquainted with the facts, and stand prepared to sub stantiate them.

CHARGE III.

Which said communication was, on or about the tenth day of July, eighteen hundred and fifty-two, handed by the said First Lieutenant, John S. Devlin, or by his directions, to James Mc- Gann, a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps stationed at the Marine Barracks, Brooklyn, with the request of the said First Lieutenant, John S. Devlin, that he, the said James Mc- Gann, would copy or cause to be copied the said written commu nication, and that the copy so made should be published in the said newspaper called " The Brooklyn Daily Eagle ;" and the said James McGann did so copy or cause to be copied, and did so con vey or cause to be conveyed to the office of the said newspaper, the said written communication ; and the said written article or communication does falsely and maliciously misstate and misrep resent the operations and conduct of the officers and soldiers of the marine corps engaged in the storming of Chapultepec, in the said article mentioned ; and does falsely and maliciously impute backwardness and dereliction in duty to the said Captain and Brevet Major, John G. Reynolds, the marine officer who had com mand of the storming party in the said article mentioned : and

CHARGE IV.

"Mr. EDITOR: A detachment of fine looking marine soldiers left this city to-day for Norfolk by the Steamer Roanoke, intended for the guard of the Sloop St. Louis, about to join the Mediter ranean Squadron. The detachment was under the command of that old and faithful officer, Lieutenant Devlin — I wish I could say Major, as he has earned that title by bravery in much greater degree than many officers who received it. But it is well known that flattery and the favor of the ' stay at-home drones of head quarters/ are much more available than bravery in procuring promotion in the marine corps. The writer of this article saw the bravery of Lieutenant Devlin put to the test at the storming of Chapultepec, and well did it stand the trial. While other offi cers halted under fire of the enemy, and sat flat on the ground, under cover of an embankment topped with Maguay bushes, he waved his sword that was presented to him by his friends of Brooklyn, and told the marines to follow him, and he would lead them. Many of them did bravely follow his example, and were wounded or killed, he himself received a shot through his chin, the scar of which he will bear to the grave. To his credit be it said, that while another marine officer who had command of a storming party singularly escaped without a scratch, he, Lieuten-