Newhanover-Cumberland County NcArchives Military Records.....Walker, John May 6, 1847 Mexican - Letters Company H, N. C. Regt. , Mexican War ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com February 18, 2008, 5:46 pm Mexican War Deaths CORRESPONDENCE OF THE RALEIGH REGISTER (Reprinted in The Charlotte Journal, June 11, 1847) Camp Paine, Cawaneo, Mexico May 3rd, 1847 My Dear Sir: Soon after the arrival of our Regiment at this place on the 7th ult., I wrote according to promise, a cursory detail of this country and its people -- such, at least, as I had the opportunity to observe in a hurried and somewhat hazardous march up the Rio Grande in this place. We have been unoccupied here now about a month, and but very little has occurred worthy of note; but still I feel that it is due to you to give some information of us and our condition. Two weeks ago, we moved our Camp to the North bank of the San Juan (pronounced in Mexican Sawn Whan) about two miles above Town, in the Chapparal, where our Police guard, under the direction of our excellent Adjutant, O. A. BUCK, cleared us an excellent Camp ground. The next morning, COL. PAINE, with a detachment of two companies and 50 Dragoons (Regulars) escorted a large train of Provisions and Military Stores to Monterey. Our muster roll for May, have just come in, and it was in looking over them, that I felt it due to you now to write, as they enable me to give you a full and complete list of all the deaths that have occurred in the Regiment since we left Smithfield. Up to that time, you have already published the deaths. I begin with the companies in alphabetical order, and give the places of death, as well the County, whence the Soldier came: Company A -- L. D. WILSON, Captain -- CALVIN JOHNSON of Edgecombe, died at Matamoras, on 28th of March (1847). WM. H. SPENCER of Warren, died at Matamoras, April 6, (1847). GEO. W. BARNES of Edgecombe, died aboard Steamboat, April 8, (1847) AMOS EDWARDS, of Edgecombe, died at Matamoras, April 18, (1847) LITTLETON T. GRIFFIN, of Edgecombe, died at Camargo, April 20 (1847) WM. PARKER, of Edgecombe, died at Camargo, April 29, (1847) Company B -- H. ROBERTS of Wayne, Captain -- WILLIE BAILY of Johnston, died at Camargo, April 23, 1847 BENJAMIN ALFORD, of Wayne, died at Point Isabel, April 20, 1847 Company C -- MARTIN SHIVE of Cabarras, Captain-- ENOCH FLOWERS of Anson, died at Mattamorras, March 25, 1847 MARTIN STOUGH, of Cabarrus, on the road to this place from Matamoras, March 27, 1847 Company D -- TILMON BLALOCK of Yancey, Captain -- THOMAS CURRAN of Granville, on board the "Gott" at sea, March 8, 1847 WM. M. KEITH of Yancey, at the Brazos, March 15, 1847 JOH. LADFORD, of Yancey, Camargo, April 26, 1847 Company E -- W. H. DUGGAN of Edgecombe, Captain -- GIDEON BARNHILL of Martin, died at Matamoras, March 21, 1847 WRIGHT DARDIN of Edgecombe, died at St. Francisco, April 9, 1847 EPHRAIM FLORA of Edgecombe, died at Carmargo, April 23, 1847 PATRICK HARDY of Martin, died at Carmargo, April 27, 1847 J. J. STOKES of Edgecombe, on board steamboat near Matamoras, April 9, 1847 HARDY G. L. CALHOUN, Edgecombe, died at Carmargo, May 1, 1847 Company F -- GEO WILLIAMSON of Caswell, Captain -- JAS. H. MILLER of Caswell, on board "The Florida", March 17, 1847 Company G -- P. M. HENRY of Rockingham, Captain -- None Company H -- W. H. PRICE of New Hanover, Captain -- JOHN WALKER of New Hanover, on board the "H. Price," at sea, March 11, 1847 Company I -- W. E. KIRKPATRICK of Cumberland, Captain -- WILLIAM CAISON, ____, died at Carmargo, April 16, 1847 RICHARD M. JOHNSON, of New Hanover, died at Carmargo, April 20, 1847 TOTAL 24 Most of these deaths were from typhoid fever, some from the prevalent diarrhea, and a few from old chronic diseases. Young KEITH [D Comany] was killed by the falling of timbers of the vessel which was broken off by the steamboat which went out to land them at the Brazos. The sea was rough, and before the steamer could be fastened to the vessel she caught a part of her rigging; a large piece of timber was broken off and fell on him, fracturing his skull and producing death in a short time. Those that died at Matamoras were in the general hospital of that place. The deaths at sea were old cases of disease. The one who died on the road, also had to be committed to his final resting place without a coffin, as no plank could be obtained, and there are no trees here large enouogh to have them made from. The men have been very imprudent in the use of water, and as we are obliged to use from the River, which is rotten limestone, its imprudent use is very deletirious when not fatal. We are all anxious to go to Monterey as we learn that the troops are quite healthy there. I am very respectfully your obedient servant and friend, A VOLUNTEER File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/newhanover/military/mexican/letters/walker41nmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ncfiles/ File size: 5.4 Kb