LOCAL HISTORY: Tarring S. Davis, History of Blair County, Volume I, 1931, Blair County, PA - Chapter 4 Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2005. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ html file: http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/1picts/davis/tdavis1.htm _______________________________________________ A HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA UNDER EDITORIAL SUPERVISION OF TARRING S. DAVIS LUCILE SHENK, ASSOCIATE EDITOR HARRISBURG: NATIONAL HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION, INC., 1931 VOLUME I CHAPTER IV BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 37 AFTER the close of the American Revolution, the attention of the American public, then residing almost exclusively along the Atlantic seaboard, was turned continually toward the frontier. In Pennsylvania settlers were filtering into Bedford County and by 1787 it was deemed advisable to divide that huge western territory so that local government could function with greater efficiency. Huntingdon County was then formed. The Quaker leaders of the eastern part of the state had been outwitted in 1776 by the representatives of the western counties such as Cumberland, when the state constitution of that year was drafted. The representatives of these western counties were Scotch-Irish or Scotch Presbyterians for the most part and embodied in the Constitution of 1776 many Republican principles that characterized their faith. This constitution was unpopular in some quarters among the eastern counties and in 1789 when the federal constitution was adopted some of the powers and requirements of the state constitution were nullified. It was at the meeting of the state legislature when the federal constitution was up for consideration that the western representatives went on record as opposed to the method of procedure of its approval by the state legislature. The procedure followed was, they believed, at variance with the regulations established under the state constitution. John Bach McMaster, in his volume "Pennsylvania and the Federal Constitution," vividly portrays the scenes that accompanied the ratification of the federal constitution in Pennsylvania. The opposition expressed itself by refusing to attend meetings, so that it was impossible to get a quorum together to vote on the matter until one dissenter was virtually dragged to the legislature from his boarding house, and although he protested vehemently was counted as among those present. Naturally events of this sort turned the eyes of eastern Pennsylvania toward the western section of their state. The next series of events that brought western Pennsylvania to the fore were those connected with the Whiskey Insurrection. The greatest centers of unrest in this rebellion were in counties west of the present Blair County: Washington, Allegheny, Westmoreland and Fayette. But Bedford County, of which Blair was then a part, sent representatives to some of the conferences. Herman Husband, whose name appears in some of the manuscript material of the period as Harman Husband, was interested in the development of the lead mines in the Sinking Valley during the Revolution. He was present at several meetings held in connection with the western insurrection as a representative of the Bedford County distillers who opposed he federal tax on domestic manufactured liquor. Husband was not an outstanding personality in the events leading up to the insurrection nor during the period when the federal troops came through Bedford to quiet the restless citizens. Nevertheless, Bedford County was consid- 38 BLAIR COUNTY HISTORY ered by the federal government as one of the rebellious sections that needed to be taught enforcement. A knowledge of the hardships and trials experienced by the men on the American frontier and the development of those rugged characters, independent, freedom-loving and God-fearing, results in a clearer understanding and appreciation of their position in such matters as the federal excise tax. Thus again the county of which Blair was then a part was brought to the attention of the eastern citizenry. At the same time that failure to pay the excise was agitated the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania was perfecting plans to improve the Juniata River for navigation. In 1789 and 1709 [1790], the minutes of this Council show evidence of the part the state began to play in the matter of internal improvements in the present Blair County. The aim of the Council was to secure information concerning the best water routes, and the extent of improvements necessary, to connect eastern Pennsylvania rivers with those of the western part of the state. The minutes of the Supreme Executive Council that include reference to a survey of the Juniata River follow. "Philadelphia, Friday, "October 2nd, 1789. "On Motion, "Resolved, That in conformity to an act of General Assembly passed the twenty- eighth of September last, entitled 'An Act to appropriate the sum of five thousand pounds annually for the purpose therein mentioned,' Timothy Matlack, Reading Howell and William Dean, be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to view the river Delaware; that John Sellers and John Adlum be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to view the river Schuylkill; and that Samuel Boyd, Bartram Galbraith and Thomas Hulings, be and are hereby appointed to view the rivers Susquehanna and Juniata, and that the said Commissioners be instructed to proceed without delay to examine the said rivers, and the various streams running into them and which are capable of being made navigable, carefully marking such places where in their opinion locks or canals are necessary, and noting all falls, obstructions, and all matters and things necessary to form estimates, to be laid before the General Assembly, of the expenses of clearing and removing such obstructions to the navigations of the said rivers. And when they have completed this business, to make report of their proceedings to Council, together with such estimate of the probable expense that may in their opinion be necessary to carry the said act into execution "Philadelphia, Tuesday, "January 12th, 1790. "Agreeably to a report of the committee to whom was referred the letter from Robert Galbraith, Esquire, an order was drawn upon the Treasurer in his favor for the sum of one hundred pounds, being part of three hundred and ninety-three pounds which Council, on the twenty-fifth of September, 1788, agreed to allow him for clearing and making a good road from the Frankstown BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 39 branch of Juniata, in Huntingdon County, to the mouth of Loyalhanning Creek, in the county of Westmoreland, according to contract made pursuant to an act of the General Assembly passed the twenty-ninth of March, 1788." "In Council, Philadelphia, "April 16th, 1790. "Gentlemen: - Council having, in pursuance of the enclosed resolution of the General Assembly of the thirty-first day of March last, appointed you Commissioners for the purposes expressed in the first part of said resolution, you will without delay proceed to the head of the Quittapahilla, and from thence to the Swatara, and down the Swatara to the Susquehanna, then passing over that part of the Susquehanna which has already been examined by the Commissioners appointed on the second of October, 1789, you will proceed to the mouth of the Juniata, where you are to recommence the examination proposed, and proceed up the Susquehanna to Sunbury, and thence up the West Branch Cinnamahoning, and up the same to Canoe Place (so called), or such place as the Main Branch or the West Branch of Cinnamahoning, as will connect most easily with any practicable branch of the Allegany, the Consua, Toby's Creek, or any other which may discharge itself into the Allegany nearest the mouth of French Creek; and thence examine French Creek, up to Le Boeuff and the Portage to Presque Isle. You will also examine and explore any nearer and more convenient communication which may be effected by land or water with Lake Erie. You will then return down the Allegany, and examine the same from the mouth of French Creek to the Kiskemanetas, and up the Kiskemanetas to the Conemaugh, and up the Conemaugh to its forks with Stony Creek, and from the same by the nearest branches which may be improved by Canal or lock navigation, to the shortest portage which may be found to the Frankstown Branch of Juniata River, at or near the mouth of Poplar Run, where Patrick Cassidy now lives, and down the Frankstown Branch of Juniata to the head of Water Street, where the Commissioners of last year concluded the report of their work. . . ." "THOMAS MIFFLIN." "To Timothy Matlack, Samuel Maclay and John Adlum, Esquires, Commissioners appointed to view the western waters." In 1843, Sherman Day published "Historical Collections of the State of Pennsylvania" which has been referred to in an earlier chapter. This volume contains much valuable and interesting material including contemporary accounts and descriptions of some of the towns that are now located within Blair County. Martinsburg, Hollidaysburg, Frankstown, Newry and Williamsburg are referred to by Day in the following words: "Martinsburg is a large flourishing borough, about 23 miles north of Bedford. It is situated in a broad and fertile limestone valley, called Morrison's Cove, bounded by Dunning's and Lock Mountains on the west, and Tussey's Mountain on the east. The valley abounds in iron ore of excellent quality, and the manufacture of iron is extensively carried on. Population in 1840, 422. A con- 40 BLAIR COUNTY HISTORY siderable number of Quakers settled in this region about the year 1793. Morrison's Cove was settled at a very early date by a Mr. Morris from Washington County, Maryland. From him the valley took its proper name of Morris's Cove. Afterwards several settlers came in from the Conococheague settlements, among whom was John Martin, from whom Martinsburg took its name - although the place was laid out by Jacob Entriken, who bought it from John Brumbach. "Hollidaysburg is situated at the west end of the county (Huntingdon), about 23 miles west of Huntingdon, and near the eastern base of the Allegheny Mountain. It stands partly on a plain, and partly on a hill of moderate elevation, commanding a delightful view of the surrounding mountain scenery. It is located on the great northern turnpike leading from Harrisburg to Pittsburgh, at the junction of the Juniata division of the Pennsylvania canal and the Portage Railroad. To this junction, and the consequent change of the mode of transportation, it owes much of its prosperity. It is of recent growth: a few years ago it was an obscure village, containing in 1830 but 72 inhabitants; but when the canal and railroad were completed in 1834, it increased in population, business and wealth, and has steadily improved in its appearance. Now the two boroughs, Hollidaysburg and Gaysport, separated only by a small branch of the Juniata, have the appearance of one town, and are said to contain, together with the environs, upwards of 3,000 inhabitants. Hollidaysburg Borough alone contained 1,896 by the census of 1840. It is the centre of a fruitful country, now rapidly opening to cultivation, and teeming with abundant resources both mineral and vegetable. It is in the midst of an abundant iron region; and bituminous coal, obtained on the summit of the Allegheny, descends by its own gravity to the town. There are at this place Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Baptist, Catholic, and African churches; six public schools, one classical school. A missionary of the Seamen's Friend Society labors among the boatmen along the canal. There are also several foundries and machine shops, a large steam flour-mill, a screw dock, and marine railway; ten or eleven forwarding houses, with immense warehouses; and several spacious hotels. A large basin, formed by the waters of the Beaver-dam Creek, accommodates the boats of the canal. . . . The distance from Hollidaysburg to Johnstown by the railroad is 39 69/100 miles; to the summit, 7 or 8; and by the canal to Huntingdon, 38 2/3; to Harrisburg, 143 miles. "Near Hollidaysburg, about 2 1/2 miles below, on the canal, is Frankstown, now comparatively a small place, but formerly an important point on the road over the mountain. It is an incorporated borough, containing 357 inhabitants. There is a furnace near this place. "Newry is another small village, four miles southwest from Hollidaysburg. An attempt was made in the legislature of 1843 to establish a new county, to be called Blair, out of parts of Huntingdon and Bedford Counties; but it failed to pass. The details of the bill are not known to the compiler, but it is presumed Hollidaysburg was to be the county seat. BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 41 "Williamsburg is a flourishing borough, 14 miles below Hollidaysburg, on the canal, and 10 miles, by road, west of Huntingdon. A copious spring which issues from a limestone rock behind the town, is sufficient to drive a flour-mill, woolen factory, and saw-mill. The town contains Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, Lutheran and German Reformed churches. Two miles above is a forge; and a little above that is Canoe furnace. Population in 1840, 637. The town was laid out in 1794, by Jacob Ake, a German, who owned the land. He leased the lots on ground rent; a circumstance which has since created some unpleasant feelings between the citizens and the proprietor. Favored with a fine waterpower from the spring, and enjoying the trade from the large and fertile valley of Morrison's Cove, the place continued for some years to flourish; but the completion of the canal has not tended to increase the prosperity of the place, though it has greatly benefited the farming interest in the vicinity. Among the first settlers near the town were Judge Stuart and 'Esq.' Phillips. One mile above this place, on the left bank of the Juniata, is a remarkable perpendicular ledge of rock, thin, sharp, and broken into fantastic forms, jutting out some eight or ten feet from the more friable rocks of the hill to which it is attached. It has much the appearance of the flying buttresses and turrets of a Gothic church." No data that is of material value to the historian is available on the activities of Blair County citizens during the War of 1812. Companies organized at Huntingdon but there are no records to show where the men who were recruited there came from. It is reasonable to believe that some of them came from parts of Huntingdon County that are now embraced within the boundaries of Blair. The records for the Mexican War are more complete and from the "Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. 10" the names of men who were recruited from Hollidaysburg, Williamsburg and Newry can be obtained. Other citizens of the county may have entered the service elsewhere and some are said to have served in the "Wayne Guards." There is no proof that those whose names appear as from the Blair County towns mentioned above were actually citizens there. There was much travel and many transients in this era of the Pennsylvania Canal and Portage Railroad so it is possible that persons not native sons may have joined the ranks in one of the county towns. Before listing the records of the men whose names appear in the "Pennsylvania Archives" some general information, taken from J. Simpson Africa's "History of Huntingdon and Blair Counties" will be of interest. Before the war with Mexico opened a uniformed company of militia known as the "American Highlanders" was organized in Cambria County with John W. Geary, later governor of Pennsylvania, as captain. With the opening of hostilities Geary offered the services of his company to the governor of Pennsylvania. His offer was accepted but the ranks of the company did not come up to the standards required so that it was necessary to supplement them with new recruits. In the fall of 1846, Geary suggested to William Williams of Hollidaysburg that he raise a group of 25 men for the company and then take the rank of sub-lieutenant himself. About 22 or 23 men enlisted from Hollidays- 42 BLAIR COUNTY HISTORY burg and vicinity and among them according to Williams' account to Africa were Thomas Hurd, Frederick Hesser, James Mealy, Washington Stone, Andrew Drips, Don Revalon, Robert McNamara and John Campbell. Not all of these names appear on the records as from Hollidaysburg, Williamsburg and Newry. The detachment, raised by Williams, left in December, 1847, to join Geary's "Highlanders." Thus augmented the Geary company numbered about 85 men. At Pittsburgh they were assigned to duty as Company B of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment of which Captain William B. Roberts was made colonel and Captain John W. Geary, lieutenant-colonel. When the latter was promoted the following men were elected to commissions in Company B: John Humphreys, captain; Samuel W. Black, 1st lieutenant; Elisha Luckett and William Williams, 2nd lieutenants. Williams' company embarked on a steamer, the "Cambria," at Pittsburgh and went with the regiment down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. They encamped below the city at Plaine Chalmette next to a Mississippi Regiment commanded by Colonel Jefferson Davis. The Pennsylvanians embarked again, this time on the Gulf of Mexico en route for Vera Cruz. Companies B, D and G took passage on the ship "Gen. Veazie" which was driven from its course and after 25 days came along the coast of Cuba. Smallpox broke out on board and the transport was forced to go into quarantine at Lobos Island for a month. The other vessels with the rest of the regiment went to Vera Cruz and by the time the companies on the "Gen. Veazie" were out of quarantine that city had surrendered to General Scott. The latter had already begun his march into Mexico City with the remaining companies of the Second Pennsylvania Regiment when companies B, D and G arrived. General Quitman was on duty at Vera Cruz so the three delayed companies joined his division. They marched to Cerro Gordo in the wake of Scott's victory there, and then to Jalapa (Ialapa) where they overtook him. Lieutenant-Colonel Geary commanded the three companies that were restored to their proper regiment and they encamped three miles from Jalapa, remaining there on garrison duty while the rest of the army moved on Orizaba. The sanitary conditions in the army, particularly while in Mexico, were such that many men became ill of malarial fevers and intestinal disorders generally. Captain Humphreys, Lieutenants Black and Luckett were sick so that Lieutenant Williams of Hollidaysburg was put in charge of the company. Later when Luckett and Black resigned he became 1st lieutenant and 1st Sergeant Frank McKee was promoted to the 2nd lieutenancy. Lieutenant Williams was ordered to the United States from Jalapa to engage in recruiting service. He did not return to active service during the Mexican War. The list appearing in the "Pennsylvania Archives," of men who were recruited from Blair County towns follows. AKE, JOHN, 22, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; deserted May 29th, at Pittsburg. BARBOUR, SAM'L. S. G., 25, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 43 H. B. Fields; discharged Nov. 5, 1847, at Puebla on surgeon's certificate of disability. CAMPBELL, JOHN, 20, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Newry by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. CAMPBELL, SYLVESTER H., 22, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 2.1, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. CLARK, THOMAS, 21, Private, Co. C, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 6, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by Lt. Williams; mustered in Jan. 10, 1848, at Fort Mifflin by Capt. Taylor; joined company from Regt. Depot, April 17, 1848; discharged July 20, 1848. COWPER, JACOB M., 21, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; reduced to the ranks and appointed Hospital Steward, Nov. 16, 1847, regimental orders; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. DITCH, DAVID, 18, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrollment May 5, 1848, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. DUNLAP, MATHEW, 19, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. EDWARDS, JONATHAN, 26, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. FILEY, GEORGE, 30, 1st Sergt., Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; died on board Steamboat Col. Yell at Louisville June 1, 1847. FOCKLER, ELI, 23, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. GARDNER, JOSEPH W., 23, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. HANNAH, DAVID W., 26, musician, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. HASSETT, JOHN, 21, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Newry by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; died Aug. 20, 1847, in hospital, Mexico. HENRY, JOHN, 20, Private, Co. H, 2nd Reg.; enrolled and mustered in Nov. 17, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by Lt. Williams; mustered out July 12, 1848, at Pittsburg. HERD, JAMES H., 23, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at 44 BLAIR COUNTY HISTORY Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; died July 25, 1847, in hospital, Mexico. HOUCK, JAMES, 19, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; died in hospital at Mexico City, Jan. 17, 1848. KENSINGER, GEORGE, 44, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. KIDD, JOSEPH L., 24, 3rd Sergt., Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. LEWIS, THOMAS, 25, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; died in hospital, Puebla, Mexico (date unknown). McCLANAHAN, JAMES C., 21, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; killed in battle Sept. 14, 1847. MACHESNEY, JAS., 41, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. McKAMEY, ALEX., 30, Capt., Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; promoted from 1st Lt. to Capt. to take effect from Nov. 12, 1847; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. McKIERNAN, JOHN S., 19, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; left sick in hospital at Perote Aug. 1, 1847, supposed to be discharged. McLAUCHLIN, JOHN, 23, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 10, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Bennett; mustered in Jan. 10, 1847, at New Orleans by Col. Wyncoop; discharged Feb. 18, 1848, at San Angel on surgeon's certificate of disability; joined by transfer from Co. F. to 1st Pa. Vol., July 27, 1847. McNAMARA, JOHN, 26, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Newry by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; died April 25, 1848, in hospital, San Angel, Mexico. MEALY, JAMES, 24, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. MYERS, AUGUSTUS, Private, Co. A, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Nov. 17, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by McWilliam; mustered in Jan. 10, 1848, at Fort Mifflin by Capt. Taylor; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright; joined company from Regimental Depot, April 3, 1848. O'ROURKE, MICH., 19, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Nov. 11, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by Lt. Wm. Williams; mustered in Jan. 10, 1848, at Fort Mifflin BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 45 by Capt. G. Taylor; joined from Regimental Depot, April i8, 1848; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. PEPPER, HENRY, 22, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 13, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by Lt. Williams; mustered in May i9, 1847 (sic) at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. REILLY, JOHN, 17, Fifer, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; deserted Jan. 24, 1847, from N. O. SHRIVER, FREDERICK, 28, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. STONE, WASHINGTON I., 20, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; discharged May 11, 1847, at Vera Cruz on surgeon's certificate. WHITE, LORENZO E., 23, 1st Corpl., Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1947, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. WILLIAMS, WILLIAM, 1st Lt., Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; promoted from 2nd Lt. to 1st Lt. by order dated Encerro Jan. 10, 1848; took effect from Feb. 1, 1848, vice Black; resigned on recruiting service, U. S.; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. WILSON, JOHN S., Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 18, 1847, at Hollidaysburg by Lt. Williams; mustered in Jan. 10, 1848, at Fort Mifflin by Capt. G. Taylor; joined from Regimental Depot April 18, 1848; mustered out July 14, 1848, at Pittsburg. WILSON, WILLIAM H., 19, Private, Co. M, 2nd Reg.; enrolled May 5, 1847, at Williamsburg by Capt. Caldwell; mustered in May 19, 1847 at Pittsburg by Lt. Fields; mustered out July 21, 1848, at Pittsburg by Maj. Wright. ZENTY, GEO. W., 21, Private, Co. B, 2nd Reg.; enrolled Dec. 21, 1846, at Hollidaysburg by Capt. Geary; mustered in Jan. 3, 1847, at Pittsburg by Lt. H. B. Fields; died Aug. 17, 1847, in hospital at Perote, Mexico. These must have been stirring days on the canal. It was the main artery of travel for soldiers from the northeastern states who were on their way to the southwest and Mexico. In this connection it is proper to consider the "Notes on the Mexican War," published by J. Jacob Oswandel in 1885. Oswandel, when the war was declared and the governor of Pennsylvania called for recruits to swell the militia, lived above Lewistown, Mifflin County. He was employed as a bowsman on the canal boat "Mary" of McVeytown, that plied as a freighter between Hollidaysburg and Philadelphia. In the early part of December, 1846, the boat made its last trip of the season. On the 9th of that month at Harrisburg the proprietor of the boat, Daniel M. Dull, informed the employees that the "Mary" had been chartered by Adjutant-General George W. Bowman to take a company of soldiers to Hollidaysburg. This company was known as the 46 BLAIR COUNTY HISTORY "Monroe Guards" from Philadelphia and Captain William S. Small was in command. Oswandel decided to join them and the story of his entrance into the service and of his journey across the Portage Railroad follow in his own words. "Friday, December 11, 1846 - To-day, after we arrived at Lewistown, Pa., Louis Bymaster and myself, also of that town, came to the conclusion to enlist in a soldier company to serve in the United States Army during the Mexican War. Mr. Bymaster wanted to join some dragoon company but I preferred the volunteer infantry. He then said that he, Bymaster, would follow me, and concluded to join the company now on our boat and go and stick together, if we lived, during the Mexican War. "Saturday, December 12, 1846 - This morning after we arrived at Huntingdon, Bymaster and myself had fully made up our minds to enlist in Capt. William F. Small's Co. C, First Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, to serve during the war with Mexico, unless sooner discharged. We mentioned our intention of enlistment to Mr. Bently (a member of the company), who took us into the cabin and introduced us to the Captain as new recruits. The Captain shook hands, and expressed himself highly pleased that we had made up our minds to join his company, and hoped that we would never have occasion to regret it. The rollbook was then laid upon the table, after which we signed it. The Captain then again shook hands, congratulated us in a neat and well appropriate speech, stating of our destination and prospect of triumphant victories in Mexico. Lieut. Aquilla Haines, who also was present, shook hands and said that from our motive and activity on board of the boat that we would make good soldiers and as long as we obey orders as soldiers should do, we will find no better officer in the regiment. We then left the cabin of the boat and followed our usual occupation on the boat until we arrived at Hollidaysburg. During the day I informed my brother Frederick, who was also employed on the same boat, of what I had done and of my future destination. He seemed to be much surprised and all he said was, well I suppose you know your own business best, and all I can wish you is that you may keep your health, good luck, and a safe and triumphant return home again. The company of soldiers we have thus joined are entirely strangers to us, and we to them, they (with the exception of a delegation of eight men from Little York, who enrolled themselves at Harrisburg) hailing from the city of Philadelphia. Mr. Louis Bymaster and myself are both from Lewistown, Pa., and will no doubt feel a little shyness for a while, but I hope before long, and particularly when we get into camp, we may be well acquainted and pleased with our choice. "Sunday, December 13, 1846 - This morning about 7 o'clock we arrived at Hollidaysburg, Pa., and for the first time took breakfast with the soldier company at Mr. Reynold's Hotel. After breakfast I went back to the boat 'Mary' to take a final good-bye of my brother and friends, and addressed them in these words: 'Friends, I have enlisted and signed the United States muster roll to serve during the war with Mexico and that I will not flinch or desert from it. Nay; I will go forward with the company, let the consequences be what they BLAIR COUNTY, 1783-1846 47 may, and fight for the good old State of Pennsylvania as long as my two arms swing. (Cheers.) Again, I will state that you can all rest assured that I will not dishonor the old Keystone State. Nay, I will ever stand by its colors as long as there is breath of life within me. (Cheers.)' After this I shook hands with all my friends, and instructed my brother Frederick about my private affairs. I then joined our company, took the cars and ascended the Allegheny Mountains, up five plains and five down. When we arrived at the top of the first plain I looked back on the magnificent scene. The valley dotted with farm houses, the foaming and rapid Little Juniata River below us, presented a glorious view to the delighted eye. After the cars were attached to the engine and started, I with the wave of my hand, bade good-bye to the 'Mary,' early scenes and exploits on and along the Juniata River. We arrived at Johnstown, Pa., about 4 o'clock P. M., and by the invitation of the citizens, we partook of a good supper . . . ."