Chronology:Mexican-American War
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1848.21 US General Swats at Cannonball with Sword During Mexican American War Calling it Baseball
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General Pierce's Game of Ball
A letter from an officer in the army, contains the following anecdote of Brig. Gen. Frank Pierce :
“At the battle of Contreras, as our regiment was marching to take up our position in front of the enemy's works, Gen. P. was with us at our head leading over the pedregal. [editor: stony ground] When we got within grape range there was some shot whistling about our ears in a way that indicated
very clearly that there was no sham about the matter. At this point I noticed a twenty-four pound shots hiss directly over the General's head and not more than eight or ten feet above it; as it passed over he struck at it with his sword but did not hit it. and he turned coolly to the regiment and said: “Bovs, we are having a good game of ball this afternoon." His coolness had its effect. It will be a long day before the Ninth regiment will forget Frank Pierce's “game of ball."
Sources:
Alexandria Gazette, 06/28/1848, p.4
Comment:
Pierce later was elected president.
Year
1848