SOLON BORLAND (1811VA-1864TX) *********************************************************** Submitted by: Bill Bogges Date: 16 Oct 2008 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************************** MAJOR SOLON BORLAND (1811VA-1864TX) (JUNE 1846 to DECEMBER 1847) MEXICAN-AMERICAN WAR Arkansas' Adjutant-General BORLAND, also again, editor at Arkansas Banner, resigned June 6, 1846 to be elected captain of a militia company Stephen S TUCKER [p 225 ROSS' book] had been expected to head until he was commissioned captain of Third Regiment of United States Dragoons. Solon organized troops for battle in Mexico. Solon would meet up again with Captain Steve TUCKER after escaping during fighting in/around Mexico city September1847. (Steve had brief controll of the Gazette, ca 1840) June 12, 1846 Solon declined offer of appointment to become professor of Materia Medica and Medical Jurisprudence at Memphis University (supporting local rumor he may have served Louisville Medical Institution as a professor), because, as of June 6th, he was a captain committed to raising troops for the Mexican War. Among his recruits was U S Congressman Archibald YELL (Arkansas' second governor) returning from Washington city to his home where Solon and family were living, to enlist. He, in his Tennessee days, was friend and fellow mason with the likes of Andrew JACKSON, James POLK and Solon BORLAND. Private YELL shared Captain BORLAND's tent on way to Washington, Hempstead county, where he was elected Colonel and Solon Major. Thomas Willoughby NEWTON (1804VA-1853NY) was later elected as YELL's congressional replacement. ----------------- The Arkansas Gazette June 22, 1846 No. 29 - Whole No. 1381 A PROUD DAY FOR LITTLE ROCK It has grown almost into a custom, throughout the Union, for American ladies to, prepare Banners for volunteer companies of soldiery, and to present them through one of their number, to the Captains, with an appropriate address. Especially has this been the case, since the war with Mexico. Our exchanges are filled with accounts of these interesting ceremonies. Nor do they serve only to show the deep interest taken by our fair country women in all the concerns the glory of the nation - they do more, they inspire the volunteers with a military ardor, which no dangers can abate, no hardships dampen. It is, as it were, the pledging of each Company to deeds of daring - each soldier to display of his personal prowess. For who ever witnessed the scenes, which attend a presentation, and felt not that every man of the Company, thus honored, would protect the Flag, committed to their charge, with the same indomitable courage with which the celebrated pass of Thermopyla was defended, and if overpowered by numbers, not even one bleeding soldier would return, to relate the story of its capture? As "old Pulaski" had furnished two companies of volunteers for the war, under the late requisition upon the State, the ladies of our City, with commendable interest in their fate, determined to present each with a beautiful Flag, before their departure. Accordingly, early in the week their fair hands were employed in preparing them, and on Friday morning, at 11 o'clock, it was announced that the two Companies would repair to the Arsenal Ground, for the purpose of receiving them. It is needless to add, that about that hour crowds of citizens were seen hastening - some on horseback, some in carriages, and many on foot - to the appointed place. The interest felt for the volunteers was general, as it was known they were to take up their line of march in a few days. While forming one of the vast throng assembled, we could not but notice the admirable arrangements, made by Maj. Butler, commanding at the Arsenal, for the accommodation of the volunteers. His disposition to make everyone happy around him never shone more conspicuous. Two long tables, loaded with viands of all kinds, furnished by our citizens, were spread on the ground floor of the Armory, and tastefully arranged, under his supervision. These were substantial comforts, to be enjoyed after the ceremonies were over. In front of Maj. B's residence, the presentation took place. While waiting for the appearance of the two companies, we examined the Flags. The one designed for the "Little Rock Guards," contained in the centre the motto, "Up Guards! And at 'em" surrounded by a wreath of elegant embroidery. That for Capt. Borland's Company bore upon its folds, the words "Extend the area of Freedom." Each was composed besides of 28 stars and 13 stripes - the nation's emblem. Soon the "Guards" made their appearance, all in uniform - a blue jacket and grey pantaloons, with red stripes at the side. They looked finely, and were better disciplined, owing to the fact that a portion of them have for some years formed a volunteer Company in this city. It is thought that they will be the "crack Company" from Arkansas. Capt. Borland's men had not obtained their uniforms and consequently, could not make so much of a display, as the "Guards". ----------- July 13, 1846, Washington, Hempstead county, Arkansas,YELL was elected Colonel, John Selden ROANE (1817TN-1867AR) Lieutenant Colonel, and Solon as Major, of "Yell's Mounted Devils" much to the displeasure of loser, Captain Albert PIKE (1809MA-1891DC), who had sought the top spot, thereafter seemingly made a career of slandering YELL, ROANE, & BORLAND, following YELL's heroic death February 1847, -- brought forth a pistol duel with John S. ROANE reportedly, neither able to hit the other in three attempts. www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/6595/mexico.html , www.peace.saumag.edu/swark/articles/ahq/arkansas/general/general303.html AHQ Vol. XXII, Winter 1953, p.303. "Captain Albert Pike, commanding the Little Rock Guards of Company E, was nominated against Yell, only to lose on the first ballot, but he was not too disappointed. Very well, he thought, let Yell be colonel. At least Yell had had a taste of military experience in the War of1812. With Yell as colonel, Pike was sure that he would be elected lieutenant colonel. Again he was disappointed. John Selden Roane, the square-faced captain of the "Van Buren Avengers" and a firm Democrat, without a whit of military experience in his twenty-nine years, was elected as to the post. And when Solon Borland, another staunch Democrat, was elected as the major, Pike turned away in disgust, and a bitter resentment began to rise in him that would last as long as the unfortunate Mexican adventure. "ON JULY 18, 1846, THE ARKANSAS regiment marched south, flags waving, morale high, toward Shreveport and thence across Texas to San Antonio. "Josiah Gregg, an impartial observer who kept a diary of the campaign, noted that the Arkansans were always placed downstream of the other troops so they had "filthy water to drink." Finally Yell refused to camp where Wool ordered. Wool had him arrested. Roane was placed in command and he refused to camp where ordered. Wool arrested him as well and then Borland in turn. "Ultimately, however, all the Arkansas officers were released without charges." http://www.oldstatehouse.com/exhibits/virtual/governors/antebellum_arkansas/yell3.asp ------------- The Arkansas Gazette October 19, 1846 No. 46 - Whole No. 1398 As a portion of the recent tidings from the camp of Arkanss volunteers, is the information that Col. Yell and Major Borland have quarrelled. We have no idea that their estrangement from each other will endure longer than that of two lovers, who quarrel only for the pleasure of making up again. We would just as soon expect an eternal separation between Ashley and Woodruff. ---------- Major Solon BORLAND, M D (age35), Captain Christopher Columbus DANLEY (1818NC-1865AR) and men left camp, Monday, 18 January 1847, in search of SANTA ANNA (Antonio Lopez de SANTA ANNA (1794-1876)), meeting up & camping with, Kentuckians, senior officer, Major John Pollard GAINES (1795KY-1858OR), Captain Cassius Marcellus CLAY (1810-1903), future Arkansas governor, Lieutenant Thomas James CHURCHILL (1824KY-1905AR), now some eighty men, being surprised (as was SANTA ANNA at San Jacinto in 1836 by failing to post guards), -- when captured at La Encamacion, Mexico by General MINON reportedly with from five-hundred to three-thousand men while asleep early Saturday morning of 23 January1847. Solon wrote from San Luis Potosi, Mexico 10 February copied in 26 March Issue 45; col E, Arkansas State Democrat about the capture: "At day-light, we found ourselves completely surrounded; and being without provisions, and water, and having an average of about 20 rounds of ammunition only, we surrendered..." Solon meets SANTA ANNA, ~ ~ ~ his letter to wife dated: "Prison of St Jago, City of Mexico, March 7, 1847" in part, printed 11 June; Issue 4; col D, Arkansas State Democrat, interestingly stated: "Three days before reaching San Luis [2nd Feb'y], we met Santa Anna on the road. He is one of the finest looking men I have ever seen. He was very polite, and assured us of good treatment, etc." The famous battle of Buena Vista, was but a scant three weeks later, Monday & Tuesday, 22 & 23 February 1847, where friend Colonel Archibald YELL was killed by an enemy lance to the face & head (YELL's body returned to Washington County, Arkansas, July 1847, one local story, "in a whiskey barrel") with 264 others dying, 450 injured and 26 missing, with Colonel Jefferson Finis DAVIS (1808KY- 1883LA), son-in- law of Gen TAYLOR (married Sarah Knox TAYLOR, 17 January 1835, she died shortly thereafter). was severely wounded by General SANTA ANNA's troops, remaining in his saddle while American army inflicted 1,500 deaths to Mexican troops, defeating them in spite of Mexico having a 15,000 - 20,000 to 4,600 superiority of troops. AHQ XXVI, p.373. The war shifted south following SANTA ANNA's losses at Buena Vista to around Mexico City. Many U S troops, including those from Arkansas, returned home in June 1847 and were released. Five months later, August 1st, Major Solon BORLAND, Major John P GAINES and Captain C C DANLEY escaped, then smuggled out on Solon's 36th birthday (August 8th), to distinguish themselves as aides in capture of Mexico City September 14th, thus ending the war. "I joined the army a few minutes after the action of Contreras, and getting a musket, fell into the ranks and did some little duty that day. While engaged in firing, in the midst of some riflemen, who should I meet but our old friend and townsman, [Captain] Steve TUCKER, for it was with his company among whom I had fallen in, without being aware of it at the time. We took one cordial embrace, and went to firing; Steve, himself, was handling a rifle with right good will." That account by BORLAND is from either the October 22, 1847 Arkansas Gazette, or the September 9, 1847 Times Picayune (New Orleans), and there is probably more to it. As an aide to Gen. WORTH, BORLAND ran messages throughout the remaining battles, seeing some heavy fighting on September 8 and 13: "I was not wounded in either action-though the balls flew thick and fast-three that were so far spent as to do no one injury, paid me the compliment of a blow-one on the stomach, one on the arm, and one just above the knee." is most likely from October 22, 1847 Arkansas Democrat, above, both courtesy Ian BEARD, Old State House Museum, Little Rock & Bill FRAZIER, Commercial-Appeal, Memphis (newspaper Solon started in 1839). Major BORLAND entered Mexico City with General WORTH's men, among them were Bvt. Colonel Robert E LEE and a young Ulysses S. GRANT, from USMA, 1843 (21/39), as a Second Lieut, Quartermaster, 4th Infantry, April 1, 1847, to July 23, 1848; Bvt. First Lieut., September 8, 1847, for Gallant and Meritorious Conduct in the Battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico & Bvt. Capt., September13, 1847, for Gallant Conduct at Chapultepec, Mexico), --- at Contreras as volunteer aide-de-camp for Wednesday, 8 September 1847 bloody battle where reportedly another 116 American's were killed and 877 wounded at El Molino del Rey, Monday, 13 September 1847 capture of Chapultepec, then Tuesday, 14 September 1847 Mexico City after 130 Americans killed and 703 wounded. (see AHQ VI, page 251-253) It appears Solon was active in medical treatment of wounded for a couple months following Mexico's defeat, until his November 18th departure for the United States. (WM) 2 November 1847 letter to George GODWIN, from Euclid BORLAND, New Orleans, Louisiana saying plantation, 49 miles below the city. [that's down near Empire, LA], "I have nothing from Solon except what you have seen in the papers that he made his escape from prison & was aid to Gen Worth at battle before & at the taking of the City of Mexico. I am pleased at his good luck in the end." The Semi-Weekly Natchez Courier of 30 November 1847 (issue 96, col.D) announced the arrival of BORLAND but doesn't name the city. I'm pretty sure they arrived in New Orleans. The article states: "The steamship Alabama, Capt. WINDLE, arrived on Wednesday [24th], direct from Vera Cruz, having left that place on the evening of the 18th inst. Among the passengers by the Alabama we notice the names of Maj. Gen. QUITMAN, Brig. Gen. SHIELDS; Maj. BORLAND and Capt. Cassius M CLAY [strongly opposed Solon's political beliefs, www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/inside.asp?ID=665&subjectID=2 ], of the Encarnacion prisoners; and George Wilkins KENDALL ["arguably the first newspaper war correspondent", www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/KK/fke19.html ] of the Picayune." BORLAND, after being critical about treatment of the returnees by the U S Government, especially, of refusal by the New Orleans paymaster to pay them subsistence allowances since they were provided for by the Mexican Government while prisoners. There was also mention of charging the soldiers for lost horses, ---- then returned to Little Rock and on to Hot Springs where family was staying with her parents, arriving December 2,1847. (While a U S Senator introduced leglislation compensating Mexican War prisoner of war veterans.)