USA > New York > Onondaga County > Onondaga's centennial. Gleanings of a century, Vol. II > Part 19
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
139
1106
ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.
William Kirkpatrick, S. N. Holmes, Charles Merrick-all of whom were present at the rescue; rescuers and others.
Before the Jerry Rescue scene was presented the Æolean Quartette sang "Way Down upon the Suwanee River."
The original Musical Institute, organized in 1849, was next seen, aided by Mrs. John R. Clancy, Richard Calthrop, and a few other younger voices. The others on the stage were Mrs. Van Cleek, Mrs. O. F. Bartlett, Mrs. A. T. Morgan, Mrs. Allen Butler, Miss Anastasia Robinson, Mrs. Stanley Bagg, Miss Clara Babcock, T. Marshall Fry, M. Waldo Hanchett, Henry Babcock, John Low, Seymour H. Stone, Nelson Gilbert, Professor Held, leader.
" The Burning of the Wieting block " was a realistic scene. Hanover Square in the winter of 1856 was presented, showing the old wooden canal bridge, the Syracuse House, and the Water street front of the Wieting Hall, erected in 1850. The firemen, many of whom were at the real fire, rushed on with the old hand engine after a cry of "Fire " and showed primitive methods of fighting fire. The scene was under the direction of Mrs. John M. Wieting and Hamilton S. White, and the participants were: L. W. Marsh, Thomas Bopt, Andrew Richards, Henry Rice, Rhoda Hogan, John T. Lighton, Mahlon Munn, George F. Green, Henry Knobel, George McBride, Frank Nelty, E. A. Hud- son, Samuel J. Abbott, Anthony Kendall, Ben Hottinger, R. M. Beecher, Frederick Auer, Charles Colwell, Maxwell Parish, Albert Fisher, John Ryan. The man who discovered the fire was the same who discovered the original fire in 1856, Mahlon Munn.
The war scenes came last. Part I showed the departure of the first company of volunteers, Captain Butler's Zouaves. There were farewell demonstrations by enthusiastic citizens, during which Carroll E. Smith presented the company with a flag in behalf of admiring friends of the soldiers. Captain Butler responded with feeling. The drums beat and the Zouaves and 41st Company marched away. Part II showed camp life at the seat of war. It was night and gathered around a camp fire were a number of 41st Company, National Guard, boys with Harry Schell as sentry. George A. Roff, Clarence Dillenbeck, X. W. Vandervoort, and Joseph Bayette sang "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground." Part III showed the return of the victorious troops and the grand reception of the populace. The Zouaves going out were Capt. John G. Butler, Corporal W. G. Tracy, Sergeant F. W. Weaver, Fourth
1107
GENERAL SUMMARY.
Sergeant J. M. Snell, Privates Spaulding, William E. Bower, John T. Williams, J. W. Hobert, Theodore Nye, Thomas Bartlett, C. A. Phillips. On the return Captain Butler is a colonel, W. G. Tracy has risen from corporal to brevet major of Slocum's staff, F. A. Weaver is adjutant general of the brigade, and J. M. Snell is acting orderly ser- geant. James C. Spaulding was the first man to enlist in the county. The 41st Company was composed as follows :
Lieut. Fred Thurwachter, Sergeants Charles C. Clearwater, Philip Kappesser, Gustave Orth, Edmund Schwarz; Corporals Eugene Kerley, Fred Friend, Louis Hall, John Stobo, John C. Hunt; Privates Babcock, Balch, Bergman, Brown, Ben- son, Cannell, A. J. Clark, Church, Diel, George E. Friend, C. H. Fox, Freeman, Garry, Hess, Hamlin, Inkster, Leeret, Mangan, McCrahon, McMorrow, Miller, Morris, Park, Puff, Richardson, Ringrose, Schell, Salter, Spoor, Tallon, Torrey, Vuillemot, Yehle, Yeomans, Auer, Bradley, Buckingham, Babcock, Brayton, Pfeifer, Berry.
The old soldiers participating in the return were Major T. L. Poole, commanding ; aides, Col. John G. Butler, Col. O. V. Tracy, Col. George L. Hoyt, Capt. D. E. Hayden, Surgeon C. E. Hill, Capt. A. S. Sheldon. 12th Regiment, under command of Major Edward Drake; 101st Regi- ment, under command of Capt. W. H. Warner; 122d Regiment, under command of Col. Silas Titus: 149th Regiment, under command of Major Jacob Knapp; 185th Regiment, under command of Col. T. M. Barber; artillery brigade and naval veterans.
The Loan Exhibition was opened in two connecting stores, consti- tuting one large one in the Wieting Block, on the morning of June 6. There were about 600 entries at this time ; the number was subsequently increased to 988 and catalogued. Each exhibit had historical interest of some kind, and the place of exhibition in some ways resembled a museum. The Loan Exhibition Committee was composed of J. M. Mertens, chairman Mrs. L. V. L. Lynch, Mrs. H. C. Cowl, Benjamin Stevenson ; secretaries, Rev. Jeremiah Zimmerman, Eugene McClell- and; superintendents, Samuel J. Abbott, A. D. Perry ; clerk, C. E. Adsit. The exhibition was continued into the following week in response to the popular demand and was in every respect not only a great but also a surprising success, for the display was unexpectedly large and of in- estimable value, so that it was under the efficient guard of detectives and watchmen both day and night. Mrs. C. T. Longstreet made the largest exhibit, and at the close contributed ninety treasures to the Historical Society. Others followed her example in smaller ways, and
1108
ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.
the aggregate of such gifts was large and has given the society a splen- did nucleus for collections.
The celebration in the town of Onondaga occurred at Onondaga Val- ley, May 25. There was a large influx of people from Syracuse and the surrounding country, even if the weather of the day was not all that could have been desired. The Valley was in gala-day attire, however, and the old arsenal on the east side displayed the American and French flags. Quite every house in the place was decorated, and glad welcome was given to the people from abroad by the citizens of the town. There was a fine parade under the direction of B. F. Barker, in the forenoon, and an attractive "museum," in charge of L. C. Dorwin, was open all day. The organization for the exercises was made in the Presbyterian church, where, after calling the assemblage to order R. R. Slocum in- troduced John T. Roberts, who gave an address of welcome, after which Hamlet Worker, president of the day, was introduced. George B. Clark then announced the following officers of the day :
Onondaga Valley-William A. Wilson, John Conklin, Nathaniel Bostwick, C. C. Marlette, Mrs. Cortlandt Hiscock, Mrs. William Sabin, John Stolp, Perry Morton, William P. Forman, Sidney Wood, Charles Pattison, Albert Fowler, John Wells David Chaffee, Josiah T. Northway, Mrs. M. D. Searle, Mrs. Fanny Strong. Stephen Dady, Mary Dorwin. South Onondaga-D. Leroy King, George C. Nichols, Amasa Chapman, M. T. Fowler, Oliver Nichols, Silas C. Fields, Henry C. Fellows, B. F. Hulbert. Geddes-P. J. Schuyler, Myron C. Darrow. Guy Terry, F. M. Power. Camillus-D. Allen Munro, E. D. Sherwood, Mrs. Anna Blake Amidon, Miss Eliza Gere, George Geddes. Onondaga Hill-Merwin Tripp, Oscar Britton, Nelson Co- ville, Mrs. Tamar Knapp, Gordon Hewitt, Hezekiah Ball, John Boyle. sr., Peter D. Lawrence, Rudolphus Look, Mrs. O. P. Fay, Major Davis Cossitt, Edward L. Nor- ton, Denison Robinson. Marcellus-William R. Cobb, Isaac Bradley, Thomas Rhoades, Amos Clark, T. J. Herring. These names were followed by the nomina- tion of the list of secretaries presented by T. W. Meacham: John A. Davis, Silas Wright, James Dunlap, Seth D. Gilbert, E. V. Baker, William H. Bishop, Charles F. Adams, Oscar F. Austin, Emmet Coville, Edwin L. Makyes, Luke Huntington, Henry Conklin, Lyman C. Dorwin, Mrs. Jesse Sabin, E. J. Clark, George H. Slocum, E. M. Chaffee, F. N. Dickinson, Walter W. Norris, Mrs. S. L. Tollman, James Hen- derson, Mrs. Hattie Hopper, Mrs. Kate Mickles Markham.
Rev. William M. Beauchamp then gave a brief address, discussing the relation of the Indians to the pioneer whites. He was followed by Joel Northrup aged 88 (since deceased), who recounted many incidents of life in Onondaga a half century ago. Dr. Israel Parsons of Marcellus discoursed upon the heroism of the women pioneers and the dangers which beset the early settlers. The Centennial poem, prepared for the
1109
GENERAL SUMMARY.
occasion and read by its author, Myles Tyler Frisbie, was the feature of the afternoon. Though rather brief, yet it was full of history. John T. Roberts spoke of historic sites; Mrs. Caroline Bridgman Clark of the earliest schools: Col. John M. Strong of military history. Mrs. Fanny A. Parsons spoke particularly of the early history of Camillus, and Cyrus D. Avery's paper was made up of interesting reminiscences. R. R. Slocum, Wilson W Newman and Robert MeCarthy made short and interesting addresses and were followed by Mrs. Elizabeth Snyder Roberts with the reading of " The Old Arsenal," an anonymous poem. Several short addresses upon local events and reminiscences were given, which were followed by duets by Bessie Chaffee Bassett and Mrs. Alexander Wilson Brown, accompanied by Mrs. William Redding; an Onondaga Indian quartette, Albert Cusick, Marvin Crouse, John Scanandoah and Phebe Jones gave several selections. At a supplement- ary, or overflow meeting Benjamin F. Barker presided. Here several short and pertinent addresses were made, which concluded the pro- gramme of exercises.
A celebration occurred in Baldwinsville, the towns of Lysander and Van Buren joining, May 30. There was a parade in the forenoon under the command of E. P. Clark, marshal, which was quite imposing in spite of the rain. In the afternoon exercises took place at the opera house, which was crowded. The officers of the day were: Presi- dent, Dr. J. V. Kendall; vice-presidents, J. T. Skinner, J. L. Voor- hees, L. W. Connell, F. T. Baldwin, B. B. Odell, J. E. Davis, Nathan Somes, A. D. Waterman, B. D. Sprague, D. M. Warner; secretaries, G. B. Wormouth, A. W. Johnson, George Hawley, Asa Abbott, H. K. Porter, William Culver. The exercises were opened by the singing of "America," by L. W. Connell, F. F. Bentley, L. O. Stearns and J. E. Connell, accompanied by the Onondaga Indian band. Prayer was offered by the Rev. H. P. Klyver, after which the Rev. Dr. W. M. Beauchamp delivered an address on the "Early History of Lysander." R. L. Smith, esq., followed on the "Settlement and Growth of the Early Part of the Town of Lysander." Justus Stephens spoke similarly for Van Buren. Hon. Wallace Tappan presented a paper on the " Early History of Van Buren." A. W. Bingham spoke for the town of Van Buren. Charles B. Baldwin, editor of the Gazette, read a well- prepared and very appropriate poem. J M. Munn of Plainville dis- cussed military history and Maynard Ingoldsby of Warners, Edwin F.
1110
ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.
Nichols, B. Abbott, F. W. Turner, Mrs. S. A. Harrington and D. D. N. Marvin interested the audience with reminiscences and observa- tions. The meeting was then brought to a close.
Elaborate preparations had been made for a joint celebration of the towns of Dewitt, Manlius and Pompey, at the village of Manlius, May 30, in connection with Decoration Day observances, but the weather was so unpropitious that the programme was not fully carried out. A. Cady Palmer was marshal of the day, and in the forenoon, after a visit had been made to the cemetery by a Grand Army Post, and the ritual read amid the falling rain, an address was delivered in the Presbyterian church by the pastor, the Rev. Matthew Gaffnay. The centennial exercises took place in the Methodist church instead of out of doors in front of the large stand which had been erected. E. A. Scoville was appointed to preside and these vice-presidents were chosen : Manlius, A. Cady Palmer, Alvah Woodworth, Dr. H. Nims, D. Collins, N. R. Chapman, Charles Peck, A. F. Plato, Clark Snook, George Brown; Dewitt, Charles Hiscock, C. C. Bagg, P. P. Midler, Henry Dixon, Samuel Sherwood, Elbridge Kinne; Pompey, M. R. Dyer, Victor Birdseye, C. C. Midler, S. C. Lewis, R. Murray, Homer Billings, Mathias Ackerman, H. C. Beauchamp, F. L. Maine, J. L. Kyne and M. W. Russell were secretaries. Prayer was offered by the Rev. E. M. Barber. "America" was sung, and the Rev. Theodore Babcock then spoke on Manlius history. The Rev. C. P. Osbourn of Fayetteville, spoke on the same subject, after which Hiram K. Ed- wards and W. H. Peck spoke for Dewitt, and W. W. Van Brocklin for Pompey. The exercises were then appropriately closed.
Too few of the aboriginal names of streams, lakes and places have been preserved; it is impossible now to supply the deficiency. Clark saved some from oblivion and his work is herein perpetuated. Onon- daga was written in two styles by the Jesuits -- Onante and Onontaque ; by the early English, Onantago, Onondago, Onondawgu, and Onon- dauqua. The Indian interpretation of Onondaga is given as "Under the hill at the foot of the swamp," and the "Swamp at the foot of the mountain"; but the best translation is considered to be " Residence of the People of the Hills." The ancient fathers styled the Indians, " People of the Hills," the " Iroquois Highlanders," "People of the Mountains," etc. Onondaga Lake received the pretty name "Genentaa" from the Jesuits. The natives originally called it Oh-nen-ta-ha; latterly Kotch-
1111
GENERAL SUMMARY.
a-ka-too, a lake surrounded by salt springs. Onondaga Creek was called Kah-yungk-wa-tah-toa. The outlet of the lake was known as So-hah-bee. Onondaga Hollow, now Valley, Teau-aheughwa. Onon- daga Hill, Kah-che qua ne-ung-ta. Otisco Lake, Kaioongk; the outlet, Kia-heun-ta ha. Skaneateles Lake, Skehneahties, meaning very long lake. Oneida Lake, Se-ugh-ka, striped with blue and white lines, separating and coming together again, probably named when seen from a distance, perhaps from Pompey, from whence at times the surface presents white and blue lines traceable from head to outlet. Fort Brew- erton, Osahaungtah-Seugkah, where the water runs out from Oneida Lake. Oneida River, Sah-eh. Three River Point, Te-u-ung hu-ka, where two rivers meet. Cross Lake, Te-ungt-too. Tully and Fabius, Te-kanea-ta-heung-ne-ugh, very high hills, with small lakes, from which water flows in contrary directions. Pompey and La Fayette, Ote-ge ga-ja-ke, a place of much grass. Another name, Ote·queh-sah- he-eh, the field of blood, a place where many have been slain. It is said that Indians abhor the locality. Limestone Creek, Te-a-une-nogh- he, an angry stream, or mad creek. Butternut Creek, Ka soongh-ta, literally, bark in the water, or a place where bark is placed after being peeled in the spring, that it may not curl in summer and become use- less for building huts or cabins in the fall. Green Lake (Dewitt), Kai- yah-koo, satisfied with tobacco. Deep Springs (Manlius), Te-ungh- sat-a yagh, by the fort at the spring, near which at one time was the most eastern settlement of the Onondagas. There, was always stationed a party of warriors, "to hold the eastern door of the nation." Cicero Swamp, Ka-nugh-wa-ka, where the rabbits run-great swamp, plenty of game. Cazenovia Lake, Ho-wah-ge-neh, the lake where the yellow fish swim-perch and bass. Seneca River, Miohero, river of rushes. The French and English also had their own names for many of these places, but most of the present names are derivatives from the Indian.
What will be the record of Onondaga county a hundred years hence? Shall it be even more amazing than that which has already been made and recorded? Science is just beginning to release and develop those heretofore great hidden mysteries and forces which must become a power in the land, not only for the broadening of civilization in every way and carrying it onward and yet higher, but there must be a great transformation of the present machinery of the world, that which
1112
ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.
propels its mighty chain of business and professional affairs. It must be supplemented by the grand products of new science, new develop- ment. The generation third from the present one will look back at us with much of the feeling of admiration mingled with pity, that we feel in reviewing the experiences of the pioneers. The Central City may by that time have acquired the population of the New York of to-day; none shall now dare to estimate the population of the country then, when every available acre shall have been brought under cultivation, when professional, business, and manufacturing industries shall have correspondingly increased. The agents of motion and power, steam and electricity, will have become almost as cheap as air, which itself may before that time become the principal factor in their stead. Great ships will be made to fly the oceans like swift-winged birds, while on land distance shall almost be obliterated if, indeed, ærial navigation shall not be a strong competitor with the fastest railroad train. Why not the telegraph in every business place and private house, with both long and short distance pneumatic tubes for the quick transmission of postal matter and packages? A new philosophy must enter into agriculture if it shall support the untold millions then dependent upon it; " the earth shall yield fruit for all who may dwell upon it." Will not science then read the heavens as an open book, and hold converse with Mars? What shall be its discoveries in outward fields? Shall all mystery, except One, be revealed? There is almost no limit to this subject in the speculative mind, and though it may be an idling of time for the thoughts to dwell upon the possibilities of the century, it is nevertheless fascinating to let the imagination loose. The general principle cannot be denied, however, that all old things will have passed away, that new things, a new life, will have been substituted for those of to-day. Whether we look " backward" or "forward" we see that the same great and unchangeable natural laws are in force to compel the accomplishment of certain results, and we also can judge with much accuracy the tendency of science and the physical forces of mankind generally. If a grander, a better people should come out of the great evolution of the period, a people whose patriotism and moral sense shall be in keeping with their physical and general intellectual advancement, then the century will not have been lived in vain.
There is a legend that once there came from his celestial home a personage to dwell among the Onondagas and give them plenti-
1113
GENERAL SUMMARY.
fully of his superior wisdom ; that through his instrumentality a council was held upon the shores of Onondaga Lake at which the Iroquois League was formed. Shall we not also accept this as his benediction? when
" From his place rose Hiawatha, Bade farewell to old Nokomis, Spake in whispers, spake in this wisc, Did not wake the guests, that slumbered ; " I am going, O Nokomis, On a long and distant journey,
To the portals of the Sunset,
To the regions of the home-winds,
Of the Northwest wind, Keewaydin.
But these guests I leave behind mc,
In your watch and ward I leave them ; See that never harm comes near them,
See that never fear molests them, Never danger nor suspicion,
Never want of food or shelter, In the lodge of Hiawatha !"
140
BIOGRAPHICAL.
*
Brady
GEN. EDWIN V. SUMNER.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
EDWIN V. SUMNER.
GEN. EDWIN VOSE SUMNER, the fifth child of Elisha Sumner and Nancy, daughter of Col. Joseph Vose, his wife, was born in Boston, Mass., Jan. 30, 1797, and died in Syracuse, N. Y., March 21, 1863. His paternal ancestors were William and Mary Sumner, who in 1636, emigrated from Dorchester, England, and settled in Dor- chester, Mass., where William became a prominent citizen, being a representative to the General Court for thirteen years. From them descended (1) Roger, (2) Will- iam. (3) Seth, (4) Seth (5) Elisha, (6) Gen. Edwin V. Job, a half-brother of Seth (4), was the father of Charles Pinckney Sumner, high sheriff of Suffolk county, and the grandfather of Hon. Charles Sumner, the statesman Col. Seth Sumner (4), with four brothers, served through the Revolutionary war with much credit. Col. Joseph Vose, the maternal grandfather of General Sumner, descended from Robert Vose, one of the leading citizens of Dorchester, and an early settler of the town of Milton, Mass. He was chosen colonel of militia in November, 1774, was soon appointed lieutenant colonel of the 25th Massachusetts Regiment, and served with distinction through the war of the Revolution. He had three brothers in the service of whom Elijah became also a lieutenant colonel. Elisha Sumner was born in Milton, Mass., April 17, 1760. married Nancy Vose on August 3, 1784, and between 1789 and 1800 was engaged in mercantile trade in Boston. His death occurred at Rutland, Vt., April 1, 1839; his wife died March 6, 1848.
General Sumner spent his boyhood principally in Milton, Mass., his father having returned to that town from Boston, in 1800. He was educated under Rev. Dr. Rich- mond of Stoughton, and at the Billerica and Milton Academies, and for several years pursued a mercantile career with Storrow & Brown, of Montreal, and with Stephen Higginson, jr., of Boston. But his tastes and talents, combined with the inherited military characteristics of a noted ancestry, inclined him naturally to the life of a soldier, and in March, 1819, he entered the regular army as second lieuten- ant in the 2d U. S. Infantry, which in May following was stationed at Sackett's Har- bor. There, on March 3, 1822, he married Miss Hannah W., daughter of Hon. Thomas and Sarah Pettit (Montgomery) Forster, who was born in Erie, Pa., January 31, 1805. General Sumner, while in the infantry, served at Sackett's Harbor, Fort Niagara, Mackinac, and Salt St. Marie, and at the commencement of the Black Hawk war in 1832 was appointed by General Scott chief commissary for the army in the field. In the following winter Congress authorized the organization of the First Regiment of Dragoons, and Sumner, then first lietenant, was selected by President
A
2
ONONDAGA'S CENTENNIAL.
Jackson as second captain of the new regiment of horse, which at that time was an unusual promotion. In 1834 he accompanied General Dodge to the Pawnee villages at the headwaters of Red River, and in 1836 was sent in command of a squadron of cavalry to Milwaukee and Green Bay in anticipation of an Indian difficulty. From 1838 to 1842 he was in command of the Cavalry School of Practice at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., and during the next four years was stationed at Fort Atkinson, la., where he rendered valuable services in putting down Indian warfare.
In June, 1846, being ordered to join General Kearney's expedition to New Mexico, he took command of the 1st Regt. of Dragoons, but a few days later was appointed major of the 2d Dragoons and ordered with that regiment to join General Taylor. The short but sanguinary Mexican war followed, and in it Sumner became a con- spicuous figure. By order of General Scott he was placed in command of the new regiment of Mounted Riflemen, which was then stationed in New Orleans, and which he took to the Rio Grande, where he instructed it until February, 1847, when it embarked for Vera Cruz. While en route he was engaged in two skirmishes, and by his "skill and coolness," General Twiggs said, "inspired those under his com- mand with the fullest confidence." He subsequently led his troops at the battles of Madeline Bridge and at Gerro Gordo, in the latter of which he was severely wounded by an escopette ball on the head. After a month in the hospital he resumed com- mand of the 2d Dragoons and participated in the battles of the Valley of Mexico and Molino del Rey. In the latter he was conspicuous for his bravery and cool judg- ment and won from General Worth a noble meed of praise. "I would commend to particular notice the conduct of Major Sumner, 2d Dragoons. He managed his con- mand with skill and courage; was always in the right place at the right time ; menacing or repelling superior forces of his own arm. I can not give, nor does that officer need, higher praise." It is safe to say that he more than any other man was instrumental in saving that bloody battle to the Americans. For his services at Cerro Gordo and Molino del Rey he was successively brevetted lieutenant colonel and colonel. He was also present at the siege of Vera Cruz and the storming of Chapultepec and rendered efficient aid, and later entered the City of Mexico with General Scott, by whom he was placed in command of the Brigade of Horse in occu- pation, which post he held until January 14, 1848. On July 18 of that year he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Dragoons.
.
After the Mexican war closed he was placed in command of the Department of New Mexico, where, on the withdrawal of Governor Calhoun, he was the only rep- resentative of the government. In 1854 he was ordered to Europe on official business and in 1855 was promoted colonel of the 1st Cavalry. In 1856, being in command of Fort Leavenworth, Kan., he incurred the displeasure of the secretary of war, Jefferson Davis, by his conduct in the troubles between the free-state and the pro- slavery men, and was removed, and in July, 1857, he led an expedition against the Cheyenne Indians, defeating them on Solomon's Fork of the Kansas River. In 1858 he was made commander of the Department of the West.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.