Statewide County IL Archives Military Records.....Mexican War Mexican ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 21, 2007, 7:40 pm Mexican War MEXICAN WAR. The volunteers from the State of Illinois performed such a conspicuous part in the war with Mexico., that it is necessary to give an epitome of the war, to be able to understand and appreciate the nature and value of their services, and render them the due credit which their importance demands. On the 11th day of May, 1846, Congress passed an act, declaring that "By the act of the Republic of Mexico, a state of war exists between that Government and the United States." At the same time that body made an appropriation of ten millions dollars to carry on the war, and authorized the President to accept fifty thousand volunteers. This force, for convenience sake, to save transportation, and because of their already well-known familiarity with fire-arms, was drawn principally from the Southern and Western Stats. [sic] Illinois was called on for three regiments of infantry or riflemen, and the pay, with all allowances, placed at $15.50 per month to the private soldier. The militia of the State being then in an unorganized condition, Governor Ford issued a call for thirty full companies of volunteers of a maximum of eighty men, to serve for twelve months, and with the privilege of electing their own company and regimental officers. The response to the call was enthusiastic in the extreme. Within ten days thirty-five full companies had organizedand reported. By the time the place of rendezvous had been selected, (Alton), there had been seventy-five companies recruited,-each furious to go-of which the Governor (Ford) was compelled to select thirty companies-the full quota of the State-and the forty-odd unsuccessful companies were doomed to the disappointement [sic] of remaining at home. Of these thirty companies, were organized the First Regiment, Col. John J. Hardin; the Second Regiment, Col. William H. Bissell, and the Third Regiment, Col. Ferris Foreman, which were recruited during the months of April, May and June, and mustered into the United States service, at Alton, Ill., on the 2d day of July, 1846. Hon. E. D. Baker, then a member of Congress from the Capital district, induced the Secretary of War to accept another regiment from this State, and thereupon the Fourth Illinois was organized and mustered into the service on the 18th day of July, 1846, and served in the same brigade with the Third Regiment until both were discharged. The First and Second Regiments must be considered together, as their history is the same. These regiments were transported separately down the Mississippi river and across the Gulf, and re-joined each other on the first day of August at Camp Erwin, near the old town of Victoria, on Wenloop river, and after marching together to San Antonio, Texas, they joined General Wool's army of the center. They left that city on the 26th day of September. Marching steadily along, they entered Santa Rosa on the 24th day of October with no opposition. Thence they marched to Monclova, thence to Parras, where the original idea of the march, the capture of Chihuahua, was abandoned. After remaining at this place twelve days, General Wool started to intercept, if possible, Santa Anna's attack on Monterey, and on the 21st of December occupied Agua Nueva, thus completing a six weeks' march of about one thousand miles, which had been barren of results. In January, 1847, General Taylor proceeded from Saltillo and formed a junction with Gen. Wool. On the 22d day of February, 1847, was begun the battle of Buena Vista, which ended on the 23d, and resulted in a complete victory for the American forces, and in which these two Illnois [sic] regiments covered themselves with glory. Concerning the conduct of the Illinois volunteers at the battle of Buena Vista, we quote from an extended report made by Major General Zach. Taylor, U. S. A., commanding, dated "AGUA XEUVA, March 6, 1847. "The First and Second Illinois and the Second Kentucky Regiments served immediately under my eye, and I bear a willing testimony to their excellent conduct throughout the day. The spirit and gallantry with which the First Illinois and Second Kentucky engaged the enemy In the morning, restored confidence to that part of the field, while the list of casualties will show how much these three regiments suffered in sustaining the heavy charge of the enemy in the afternoon. Captain Conner's Company of Texas Volunteers, attached to the Second Illinois Regiment, fought bravely, its Captain being wounded and two subalterns killed. Colonel Bissell, the only surviving Colonel of these regiments, merits notice for his coolness and bravery on this occasion. After the fall of the field officers of the First Illinois and Second Kentucky Regiments, the command of the former devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford, and that of the latter upon Major Fry. Regimental commanders and others, who have rendered reports, speak in general terms of the good conduct of their officers and men, and have specified many names, but the limits of this report forbid a recapitulation of them here. I may, however, mention * * * Lieutenat-Colonel Weatherford, First Illinois Regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, Major Trail and Adjutant Whiteside (severely wounded), Second Illinois Regiment, and Major Fry, Second Kentucky Regiment, as being favorably noticed for gallantry and good conduct. * * * To Major Warren, First Illinois Volunteers, I feel much indebted, for his firm and judicious course, while exercising command in the city of Saltillo." (MSS. and doc. 1847, p. 139.) From a return of troops engaged in the action of the 22d and 23d day of February, A. D. 1847, made by General Zachery Taylor to the Adjutant General of the Army, under date of March 6th, we quote as follows: FIRST ILLINOIS. Eight companies-1 Colonel, 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 8 Captains, 1 Adjutant, 18 Subalterns, 519 non-commissioned officers and privates. Sick-Two commissioned officers and 25 non-commissioned officers and privates, making an aggregate of 580 officers and privates. SECOND ILLINOIS. Eight companies-1 Colonel, l Major, 7 Captains, 1 Adjutant, 19 Subalterns, 496 noncommissioned officers and privates. Sick-Four commissioned officers, 40 non-commissioned officers and privates. Aggregate, 573 officers and privates. From an official return of the killed, wounded and missing in battle of Buena Vista, we quote: FIRST ILLINOIS FOOT. Killed-One Colonel, One Captain, one Subaltern, 26 enlisted men. Total 29. Wounded-Two Subalterns, 10 enlisted men, missing, 3. Aggregate loss, 50. SECOND ILLINOIS FOOT. Killed-Two Captains, one Subaltern, 29 enlisted men. Wounded Two Captains, six Subalterns, 63 enlisted men. Missing, four enlisted men. Aggregate loss, 126. With the exception of the sending out of an occasional foraging detachment no further service was performed by these two regiments during the war. They remained at Buena Vista until the latter part of May, when the following order was issued: HEADQUARTERS, BUENA VISTA, ) May 28, 1847. ) Orders No. 302. The term of service for which the First and Second Illinois Regiments have engaged to serve the United States has nearly expired, and they are about to return to their homes. The General commanding takes this occasion to express his deep regret at the departure of those who have been so long under his immediate command, and who have served so well their country. Few can boast of longer marches, greater hardships, or more privations, and none of greater gallantry than on the field of Buena Vista. It was there that the General witnesses with infinite satisfaction their valor, which gave additional luster to our arms, and increased glory to our country. To their steadiness and firmness in connection with the Second Kentucky Regiment of foot, in resisting the Mexicans at a critical moment, and when there were five to one against them, and as General Santa Anna said, "where blood flowed in torrents and the field of battle was strewed with their dead," we may justly ascribe a large share of the glorious victory achieved over 20,000 men. A great victory it is true; but obtained at too great a sacrifice. Hardin, Zabriska, McKee, Woodward, Yell, Clay, and many others, fell leading, their men to the charge. Their names and gallant deeds will ever be remembered by a grateful people. In taking leave of these regiments, the General cannot omit to express his admiration of the conduct and gallant bearing of all, and especially of Cols. Bissell and Weatherford and their officers, who have on all occasions done honor to themselves, and heroically sustained the cause of their country in the battle of Buena Vista. His best wishes will attend them to their homes, where they will be received with joy and gladness as the pride of their families and of their States. By Command of Brigadier-General WOOL. IRWIN M'DOWELL, Assistant Adjutant General. These regiments were discharged at Camargo, Mexico, on the 17th day of June, 1847. THE THIRD AND FOURTH REGIMENTS. were like the first two, brigaded together during their entire service. They were placed in Gen. Paterson's division, and marching from Matamoras to Tampico, formed part of Gen. Shields' force while he was in command of that city. On the 9th day of March, the Third and Fourth Regiments took part in the descent on Vera Cruz. Gen. Scott says in his report, dated Vera Cruz, March 14, 1847: "I could not postpone the descent, successfully made on the 9th inst., for half of the surf boats, Brig.-Gen. Shields' brigade, (old volunteers from Tampico), or the wagons and teams which were then behind. That General landed with the army, having a small part of one of his old regiments, (three companies of the Third Illinois Foot), and the New York regiment of new volunteers." (Mess, and Doc. 1847, p. 218). Gen. Scott was mistaken in attributing to the Third Illinois credit due to the Fourth. Though both regiments took part in the expedition, it was companies "A," "F" and "G" of the Fourth Illinois, under the immediate command of Lieut. Col. John Moore, who made the landing referred to, Capt. H. A. Roberts, of Co. "A," from Sangamon county, being the first man to place his foot on the enemy's soil. In the battle of Cerro Gordo, the Third and Fourth were hotly engaged, and gained great credit for their bravery. Gen. Scott, in his report of that battle to the Secretary of War, under date of April 23, 1847, says: Early on the morning of the 18th, the columns moved to the general attack, and our success was speedy and decisive. * * * The Brigade so gallantly led by General Shields, and after his fall, by Colonel Baker, deserves high commendation for its fine behavior and success. Cols. Foreman and Burnett, and Major Harris (Fourth Illinois) commanded the regiments; Lieut. Hammond, Third artillery, and Lieut. Davis, Illinois Volunteers, constituted the brigade staff. (Mess, and Doc. 1S47, p. 263.) Brig.-Gen. Twiggs who was in the immediate command of all the advanced forces, in a report to the General-in-Chief, dated April 19, 1847, (the day following the battle), says: Of the conduct of the volunteer force under the brave General Shields; I cannot speak in too high terms. After he was wounded, portions of the three regiments were with me when I arrived first at the Jalapa road, and drove before them the enemy's cannoneers from their loaded guns. Their conduct and names shall be the subject of a special report. (Mess, and Doc. 1847, p. 276.) From the report of Maj.-Gen. Patterson, commanding the volunteer division at the battle of Cerro Gordo, under date of April 23, 1847, and made to the commanding General, we extract: "On the afternoon of the 17th, a rapid and continuous fire of artillery and infantry, announcing that the Second division of the regulars was closely engaged with the left of the neemy's [sic] lines, I was instructed, and immediately directed the Third Volunteer Brigade, under Brig.-Gen. Shieds, to proceed at once to its support. Before the brigade reached the position of that division, the action had ceased for the day; the night was, however, occupied in establishing several pieces of artillery upon a height adjacent to the "Cerro Gordo." Early on the morning of the 18th the brigade moved to turn the extreme left of the enemy's lines, resting on the Jalapa road. This was done over rugged ascents and through dense chapparal, under a servere [sic] and continuous flank fire from the enemy. Brig.-Gen. Shields, whilst gallantly leading his command, and forming it for the attack of the enemy, posted in force in his front, fell severely wounded, and was carried from the field. Colonel Baker, Fourth Illinois Regiment, having assumed the command, the enemy's lines were charged with spirit and success by the Third and Fourth Illinois, and the New York Regiment, under the respective commanders, Cols. Foreman and Burnett, and Major Harris. The rout now becoming general, the brigade pressed forward in rapid pursuit, leaving a sufficient force to secure the artillery, specie, baggage, provisions and camp equipage left in our hands." Later in same report Gen. Patterson says: "The attention of the general-in-chief is particularly called to the gallantry of Brig.-Gens. Pillow and Shields, who were both wounded at the head of their respective brigades; and to Colonel Baker, who led Shields' brigade during a severe part of the action, and during the pursuit; aud Lieut. G. T. M. Davis, Illinois volunteer aid-de-camp to Shields' brigade. The loss of both regiments is given in the official reports of killed and wounded, forwarded to the War Department after the battle, as follows: Third Illinois-Killed, 1; wounded, 15; total, 16. Fourth Illinois-Killed, 5; wounded, 43; total, 48. This office is in receipt of a letter dated February 5, 1882, from Second Lieut. W. A. Tinney, of the Fourth Illinois volunteers, in which he says: "We stormed their fort and put the enemy to flight, taking about six thousand prisoners, and we captured Gen. Santa Anna's carriage, also his wooden leg, which I have in my possession." The Third and Fourth Regiments were shortly afterward returned by vessels to New Orleans, where they were discharged from the 23d to the 25th days of May, 1847. THE FIFTH REGIMENT, which is known officially as the First Regiment, Illinois Volunteers "during the war" (the other regiments having been enlisted for "twelve months"), was called out, under the requisition made by the Secretary of War April 19th, 1847, for six thousand more volunteers to "serve during the war," to take the place of those whose term of enlistment was to expire. Of this call, but one regiment was assigned to the State of Illinois, which was organized June 8th, 1847, at Alton, Illinois, by the election of E. W. B. Newby as Colonel. This regiment left Alton by steamer, for Fort Leavenworth June 14, and from thence marched across the plains to Santa Fe. In October, 1847, the first battalion with a part of a Missouri regiment marched to El Paso. The other battalion remained at Santa Fe, as a garrison. This regiment lost heavily by sickness and exposure in its long marches across the plains, but was engaged in no battles or skirmishes with the enemy. It was mustered out of the service at Alton, Illinois, from the 15th to the 18th day of October, 1848. THE SIXTH REGIMENT, otherwise known as the Second Regiment, enlisted "during the war," was organized out of the overflow of companies which were raised for the Fifth Regiment. So much honor had been achieved by the four regiments sent out by this State the first year of the war, that their praise was on every lip, and the young and ambitious were ready to make any sacrifice to be able to go and fight the Mexicans. When the call was made for the Fifth Regiment is was difficult again for the Governor to select, as the men poured in by hundreds, and enough reported in ten days time to fill half a dozen regiments. Application was again made to the Secretary of War by Lieutenant Colonel Hicks and others for leave to organize another regiment. It was hard to refuse these veterans of Buena Vista and Cerro Gordo, and the permission was granted, and the regiment was organized at Alton, Illinois, on the 3d day of August, 1847, by the election of J. Collins as Colonel. Shortly after the regiment was mustered into the United States service it was forwarded by steamer to New Orleans, and there divided into two battalions. Companies A, D, E, F and H, under command of Colonel Collins, being sent to Vera Cruz, where they arrived on the 31st day of August, 1847. They were shortly afterwards engaged in a skirmish with the guerrillas, but saw no further actual service, save the duties of camp and garrison life. The Second Battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel Hicks, consisted of Companies B, C, G, I and K, and was forwarded by vessel to Tampico and there performed garrison duty until discharged. Both battalions, as the muster rolls show, lost heavily from sickness, incident to the climate, as might have been expected of raw and unacclimated men in so dangerous a climate. This regiment was mustered out on the 20th to the 2oth days of July, 1848, at Alton, Illinois. INDEPENDENT MOUNTED TROOPS The rolls furnished this office from the war office in Washington show that four independent companies of cavalry were mustered into the United States service during the Mexican war. All enlisted the second year of the war, and mustered in, as all troops were, under the second call, for "during the war." Of these, the first recruited, CAPT. ADAM DUNLAP'S COMPANY, was recruited during the month of May, 1847, at Rushville, at Schuyler county, and was mustered into the United States service in Alton, on the 21st day of the same month, its enlistment being authorized by the same order under which Col. Newby's regiment was recruited. This company was never engaged in any actual battle, but did considerable scouting service, and was in several skirmishes with the guerrillas and scouts of the enemy. This company also lost heavily, as did all the volunteers of that year, by sickness, several men having died while at Matamoras. It was finally discharged at Alton, Illinois, on the 7th day of November, 1848, having served eighteen months in all, being distinguished as the longest term of service of any company from this Stale in the whole war. CAPT. WYATT B. STAPP'S COMPANY. This company was recruited at Monmouth, in the month of June, 1847, and was mustered in at Quincy, Illinois, on the 10th day of August, 1847. It lost severely by sickness at Perote and Jalapa, and was finally returned to the States, without adventure of serious nature, and was mustered out at Alton on the 26th day of July, 1848, lacking fifteen days of serving one year from the date of muster. FIRST LIEUT. GEORGE C. LANPHERE, Of this company, returned home in the spring of 1848, to recruit for his company, and during the months of March, April and May had recruited thirty-one men [page 309], who were never sent to the company, but were mustered out by order of the Secretary of War, at Jefferson Barracks, near St. Louis, Mo., June 28, 1848. CAPT. MICHAEL K. LAWLER'S COMPANY. During the month of August, 1847, Capt. Lawler, who was a veteran of the Black Hawk War, recruited an independent company of cavalry at Shawneetown, which was mustered into the United States service at place of enrollment, on August 13, and forwarded to Mexico via the New Orleans route. Except the common experience with fever, reptiles and insects, this company had no encounter with foes of any kind, and after some routine service, laborious but unimportant, was returned to place of enlistment, and mustered out on the 26th day of October, 1848. CAPT. JOSIAH LITTLE'S COMPANY was conspicuous as the last company received into the United States service, being mustered in at Alton on the 11th day of September, 1847. No record of its service has been received, and we can only add that it was mustered out at the same place July 25, 1848. "REGULAR" ENLISTMENTS FROM ILLINOIS. On the 11th day of February, 1848, Congress passed an act authorizing the President to raise ten new regiments for the Regular Army to be enlisted for "during the war." These regiments were all recruited prior to the 30th of September of the same year, and consisted of a regiment of Voltigeurs, eight regiments of Infantry, the Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth and the Third regiment of Dragoons. These regiments were recruited at various stations all over the United States. Of these regiments the Twelfth, Thirteenth and Fourteenth regiments were recruited by Brig.-Gen. G. M. Brooke, at New Orleans, while the Fifteenth and Sixteenth were recruited by Lieut. Col. J. Erving, at Cincinnati. As will appear by the rolls published, Illinois furnished two companies for the Sixteenth and one company for the Fourteenth regiment, under this call. As to the history of these regiments we find that the Fourteenth regiment was brigaded with the Voltigeur regiment and the Eleventh Infantry, and under Brig.-Gen. Cadwalader was engaged in the battle of El Molino del Rey, on the 8th day of September, 1817. Concerning their conduct Major Gen. Worth, in his official report of the engagement, made to the Commander-in-Chief, dated Tacayuba, September 10th, 1847, says: "I desire to bring the notice of the General-in-Chief to the gallantry and good conduct of Brig.-Gen. Cadwalader and his command, by which the most timely and essential service was rendered in supporting the attack, and following up the success. Such movements as he was directed to make were executed with zeal and promptness." (Mess, and Doc. 1847, p. 366.) From a return of killed and wounded in this engagement accompanying this report, it appears that the Fourteenth regiment lost, Killed- 1 Corporal. Wounded--1 Field Officer, 1 Captain, 3 Lieutenants, 2 Corporals and 16 Privates. No official report of the service of the Sixteenth regiment is in possession of this office or at present accessible. By General Order No. 25, A. G. 0., June 8, 1848, the enlisted men of these two regiments, as well as others enlisted under the same act, were ordered to be mustered out, the Fourteenth at New Orleans, and the Sixteenth at Newport Barracks, Kentucky, which was done accordingly. As several recruiting stations were opened in the Southwestern States, quite a number of Illinois men were recruited in the Regular Army proper, notably in the Fourth regiment. A member of this regiment, Mr. J. W. Thomson, of Princeton, Illinois, and a private of Company "A," has kindly furnished us an account of the services of his regiment in the Mexican war, but as we have no official statement of the names or number of the Illinois men scattered through these regiments, we forbear to publish this as well as some other interesting matter which we have concerning the services of .the regular regiments in the Mexican war. In closing this memoranda of the services of the Illinois soldiers in the Black Hawk and Mexican wars, we can not forbear to mention that in the voluminous correspondence this office has had with the survivors of these wars, the idea seems to be universally prominent with them that the General Government should, in the exercise of that spirit of patriotic gratitude, heretofore manifested in favor of the soldiers of the revolution and of the war of 1812, grant equally to these survivors some further recognition of their services in the way of a pension. While it is no part of our duty, in editing this record, to attempt to support, or further any propositions asking such action by Congress, we may be allowed to say, without subjecting ourselves to criticism, that there is something in the appearance of the Letters of these old veterans of a generation gone before, which appeals to our liveliest sympathies. They almost unanimously ask in their quavering and palsied penmanship, that the General Government make some additional provision to secure them against want in their old age. Additional Comments: Extracted from: RECORD OF THE SERVICES OF ILLINOIS SOLDIERS IN THE BLACK HAWK WAR 1831-32 AND IN THE MEXICAN WAR 1846-48 CONTAINING A COMPLETE ROSTER OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND ENLISTED MEN OF BOTH WARS, TAKEN FROM THE OFFICIAL ROLLS ON FILE IN THE WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C. WITH AN APPENDIX GIVING RECORD OF THE SERVICES OF THE ILLINOIS MILITIA, RANGERS AND RIFLEMEN, IN PROTECTING THE FRONTIER FROM THE RAVAGES OF THE INDIANS FROM 1810 TO 1813. PREPARED AND PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE THIRTY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY ISAAC H. ELLIOTT ADJUTANT-GENERAL OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. SPRINGFIELD, ILL: JOURNAL COMPANY, PRINTERS AND BINDERS, 1902. 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